Howdy,
My paints are thinned with flow improver and water to the consistency of creme. These are Old Glory figures and the sculpts are not smooth. That's why the shields look so rough. That's also why Old Glory figs only cost about $1.25 each. Ladybird shield? I just put a simple design on the shield. Now that you mention it, it does look like a lady bug. Shucks!
Perhaps this is the first comment, because it's such a common one already. Thin those paints of yours, put colour onto the miniatures, not a layer of paint. Then highlighting and shading, highlighting and shading. But now... what's with the ladybird shield on the left? ;)