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Hello everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm currently working on my first army, necrons. So in an effort to encourage myself to actually finish and paint these things, I've been tracking my progress.

I'm new to this whole thing, so I posted two pics of what I have so far. I'm open to any suggestions.

How do you all encourage yourselves to actually finish your armies? It seems that if I paint for too long I get sloppy and impatient.

Thanks!

I suffer from ADHD, so my attention span is pretty short at the best of times. i usually set myself a goal ie. undercoating or washing. If i feel im starting to rush, i stop then and there and go play Guitar or something. Also having the TV on or Music playing tends to help me alot.

I hope this helps you.

First things first: Welcome to Dakkadakka!

Next, I would like to sugest the removal of the mold lines and leftover sprues from your models. The mold lines really ruin a good paintjob.
I did the same as you, my first necron warriors all have the mold lines and I hate it, but I was too impatient to paint them.
Just use the blunt size of your hobby knife to remove the mold lines and / or a file (not one for metals! That would just eat your model!). Files are also pretty good for the leftover sprue bit I see in some of your necrons.

Next, about the paint job, it doesn't look bad so far, but they could use some extra color to break away from all that shining metal! And some highlights aswell!

Here's one of mine:


To "break" all that metal, I decided to paint the "bones" in bronze, giving some extra detail and colors. And if you notice the "edges", they are highlighted with GW's Ironbreaker layer paint. That makes the edges of the armor really pop.

About encouragement, well, never try to rush things if you aren't in the mood. I tried once before and it didn't work so well. It's better to do something else to recharge your batteries and then return. Listening to music / audio books / "Let's play" in youtube helps me a lot and I honestly can't paint without some background sound

Hope that helps a bit and again, welcome to dakka!

I set up a goal of a single squad/batch and paint it up. I make it somewhat of an assembly-line process, putting on one colour onto all the models and then moving onto the next colour once they all have the first. It ensures that I get all the minis painted up because I'm not focusing on one model at a time. Sometimes I get bored painting and I decide to draw/try and build something to blow off steam, and get back into it. Right now I'm on a small hiatus because I don't have any good brushes and am waiting for my Back-2-Base-ix ones to get here.

Although a repeat of what probably has been said already, here is what I do:

1)Batch paint. I do about 3 guys at a time (bluetaced to old paint pots to hold). Then I take a break, then 3 more. Don't be afraid of breaks!
2) Watch TV shows or movies. Pop in a series you like on netflix and paint. This works best if you have seen it already I suppose.
3) Don't be afraid to walk away. If you start getting sloppy and quick (I know I do too), step away. There is always another day when you can come back to paint.
4) Multiple projects. This may be hard when it comes to someone new, but just ON my desk right now in various stages I have my IG, BT, DA, plus 3 gangs from Blackwater Gulch and some things from Warmachine. If I get bored of one color or scheme, just work on a different batch of models!

As everyone has said have music or a movie on, they are the relief your mind needs. This sounds a bit crazy but try make sure that the room you're working in is clean, its a proven fact that if the area is clean your mind is more relaxed and I can say first hand it works.

They are looking good dude, even more so as they are your first army.Cleaning mould lines seems like a waste of good painting time but it does pay off. The head of the miniature is the focal point so I always make sure the eyes are looking good. With necrons I would give the eyes a bright green menacing glow.

I look forward to seeing your progress dude.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also there is a guy called Masterson that has just started painting necrons he has a link further down titled 'painting necrons' its always helpful talking to someone else doing the same as they may have something to offer and vice a versa. After nearly 20 years of painting orks Im just starting to paint space wolves I can honestly say you're forever learning.

The way I motivate myself to paint is first to have a set goal, for example, to have X number of units ready for a game, or tournament, second, I don't try to go beyond tabletop quality so it isn't so much of a chore.

Third, I will take whatever short cuts I can, such as using spray paints and Magic Dip.