Thin your paints.

A common beginner question is "How thin?" The answer is "It depends."

I use GW paints almost exclusivley. (I use some craft acrylics for terrain projects.)
GW paint is nearly ready out of the pot. I usually put a drop or two of water in a new pot, and add a drop if it starts to get thick. I also tend to grab some water with my brush to thin paint as I'm applying it to the mini.
You can use a palette or even a piece of paper to mix the paint while you're working.
I use computer paper to protect my table and fiddle with the paint while it's on the brush.



There is no magical formula, because different paints, even different colors from the same company, have different consistencies.

So start thin and work your way back up if the paint isn't covering well. You can always paint over a thin layer, but you can't take paint off unless you strip the mini, which is a bitch.