Hi Wayne, no one really likes their painting at first, it is not as easy as it looks. However, the only way is to keep going. As I am returning to modelling after far too many years, and I was not much good at it then, I know what you feel like.
I decided to get a few 'sacrificial lambs' as I call them and, as I had no paints, brushes or even glue, I did a similar thing to you. I bought three Airfix starter kits. The Westland Whirlwind, The Yak9D (so bad it is unbuildable) and the Thunderbolt.
What I have found is that the brushes that come with the kits are not bad. Humbrol Acrylics I find are very good but do need a lot of stiring. Most importantly, I have found that it is better to give a thin coat of primer. I bought a spray can of white and grey from Wilko's for £3 something each (I have heard that Halfords primer sprays are popular and very good). A light spray of either of these gives a good 'key' to the plastic which helps the Humbrol Acrylics to stick to the plastic better.
The next thing is to thin the paint slightly. In the little pots that come with the kits, I add about three or four drops of water. This, combined with a very good stir gives a thinner, smoother coat. Straight from the pot seams to dry to quick and drags on the brush which then tempts you to load the brush more to keep it wet which covers any detail and holds the brush marks. Two or three thin coats are much better than one or two thick ones. You will get a better finish and lose less surface detail.
This is my first sacrificial lamb nearing completion. The glossy look is due to it being painted, two coats, with 'Klear' Floor shine which is the cheapest and best acrylic clear varnish you can get. A couple of quid from your supermarket for a half litre bottle. Put your decals on over the Klear coat and you will have less problems with them 'Silvering' which is when the carrier film shows against the matt paint surface.
Not sure how I am going to matt it down again yet, I will cross that bridge when I come to it lol
