u/Due-Knowledge-4579

What do you guys think about this paint job? Do you guys like the red shadows? Is the edge highlight noticeable?

I’ve been using a no-name airbrush from Amazon that currently costs around $66, although I got it for about $50 during Black Friday. At the time, I had no experience with airbrushing, so I figured it would be a good beginner set.
I quickly upgraded my setup with airbrush cleaner, airbrush medium for thinning, and better airflow control. However, as soon as I tried the paint that came with the kit, it clogged really badly, so I switched to Citadel paints mixed with thinner.
After painting a few miniatures, I started noticing that the airbrush keeps clogging after almost every use. I have to clean the tip constantly, even when I thin the paint down to almost a water-like consistency. It also sprays in bursts and doesn’t seem very consistent. Sometimes I have to pull the trigger almost all the way back just to get any paint out.
At this point, I’m trying to figure out whether I’m doing something wrong or if the airbrush itself is just poor quality. I’m wondering if the problem could be the compressor, the airbrush not atomizing the paint properly, or something else entirely.
I’m seriously considering upgrading to an Iwata Eclipse with a compressor, which would cost me around $280. Do you think this is a good investment, or is an expensive airbrush unlikely to solve these problems if the issue is something I’m doing wrong?

They look off but I can’t really point my finger on the problem.

I primed my Ultramarines with purple, then did a white zenithal. After that I applied Macragge Blue and drybrushed Calgar Blue. I tried doing Fenrisian Grey edge highlights, but my hands are too shaky to get clean lines.
Are there any brushes specifically designed to make edge highlighting easier? Also, when it comes to varnishing, would you recommend applying Ardcoat only to the metallics to make them shine and Stormshield over the rest of the model, or is it better to just use one varnish for the whole miniature?

What should I add for a speed freek army?