How Do You Paint Necrons for the Best Results?

AvatarByJoseph Thomas Paints & Sealants

Painting Necrons is a rewarding journey that brings these ancient, robotic warriors of the Warhammer 40,000 universe to life. Known for their sleek metallic bodies and eerie green energy effects, Necrons offer a unique canvas for hobbyists eager to blend science fiction aesthetics with intricate miniature painting techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned painter or a newcomer to the hobby, mastering how to paint Necrons can elevate your army from a simple collection of models to a striking force that commands attention on the tabletop.

The challenge of painting Necrons lies in capturing their cold, mechanical nature while highlighting the subtle details that define their alien technology. From the gleaming metal surfaces to the glowing energy cores, each element requires thoughtful color choices and careful application to achieve the iconic look fans admire. Additionally, the Necron’s design allows for creative freedom, enabling painters to experiment with different metallic finishes and atmospheric effects that enhance their otherworldly presence.

In this article, we’ll explore the essential concepts behind painting Necrons, providing you with an overview of the techniques and materials that will help you get started. By understanding the fundamentals and the artistic possibilities, you’ll be well-equipped to transform your Necron models into masterpieces that embody the mysterious and relentless spirit of this ancient race.

Preparing Your Necrons for Painting

Before applying any paint, proper preparation of your Necron models is essential to achieve a smooth and durable finish. Begin by carefully removing the models from their sprues using a sharp hobby knife or plastic cutters. Clean any mold lines or flash with a fine file or sandpaper to ensure an even surface. This will help paint adhere better and prevent unsightly lumps or rough areas.

Next, wash the assembled models in warm, soapy water to remove any residual mold release agents or oils from handling. Rinse thoroughly and allow them to dry completely. This step is crucial for primer adhesion.

Priming is a key step that provides a uniform surface for paint and enhances durability. Use a spray primer designed for plastic miniatures, applying thin, even coats from about 6-12 inches away. For Necrons, black or metallic primers work well, as they complement the metallic colors typically used on these units.

Base Coating Techniques for Necrons

The base coat establishes the main color scheme and sets the tone for further detailing. For Necrons, metallic and green hues are common, representing their robotic nature and glowing energy cores.

When applying base coats, use high-quality acrylic paints diluted slightly with water or acrylic medium to avoid obscuring fine details. Thin layers are preferable, building up opacity gradually.

For metallic areas such as armor plating, start with a dark metallic base like Leadbelcher or a similar gunmetal shade. This creates depth and shadow beneath brighter metallic highlights. For energy elements like eyes or weapon cores, a bright green such as Moot Green or Warpstone Glow works effectively.

Consider using an airbrush if available, as it allows for smooth, even base coats, especially on larger models or units.

Highlighting and Shading Necron Models

Highlighting and shading add dimension and realism to your Necrons, enhancing the mechanical and eerie aspects of their appearance. Use washes and glazes to deepen recesses and bring out details.

  • Apply a black or dark green wash (e.g., Nuln Oil or Biel-Tan Green) to metallic and green areas, respectively, to create shadow and enhance panel lines.
  • After washes dry, use a fine brush to edge highlight raised areas with lighter metallic colors like Necron Compound or Runefang Steel.
  • For green energy effects, layer brighter greens or even a touch of white on the brightest points to simulate glowing effects.

Dry brushing can be effective on textured surfaces to catch raised edges and details subtly.

Painting Specific Details on Necron Miniatures

Necrons have distinctive features that benefit from focused painting techniques:

  • Energy Cores and Eyes: Use bright, fluorescent greens. Start with a mid-tone green base, apply a lighter green highlight on the center, and finish with a tiny dot of white to simulate intense glow.
  • Weapons: Metallic parts should be painted with a combination of dark and bright metallic paints, while energy blades or rods can be painted with translucent or bright green tones.
  • Joint Areas and Cables: Use darker metallic shades or muted colors to differentiate these parts from the main armor, adding realism and contrast.
  • Base Decoration: Incorporate terrain elements like cracked earth, metallic debris, or glowing runes to complement the Necron theme.

Common Paint Schemes for Necrons

Necrons come in various dynasties, each with unique color schemes. Below is a table outlining popular schemes and their typical colors:

Dynasty Primary Armor Color Accent Colors Energy Color
Sautekh Shiny Green Metallic Gold and Brass Bright Green
Mephrit Glowing Red Metallic Black and Silver Fiery Red
Nephrekh Bronze with Patina Turquoise and Blue Blue-Green
Novokh Gunmetal Grey Crimson and Black Red

Sealing and Finishing Your Painted Necrons

Once the paintwork is complete and fully dry, protect your models with a clear varnish. Matte varnish is often preferred for Necrons to reduce shine and give a subtle, realistic finish, although gloss varnish can be used selectively on energy parts for added effect.

Apply varnish in thin, even coats, using either a spray or brush-on product. This layer will protect against chipping and wear during gameplay.

For additional realism, consider weathering techniques such as applying rust pigments, scratches, or subtle dirt effects, taking care not to obscure fine details.

By following these steps, your Necrons will exhibit a striking, professional-quality finish that highlights their iconic alien and metallic aesthetics.

Preparing Your Necron Models for Painting

Proper preparation is essential to achieve a smooth, durable, and visually impressive finish when painting Necron models. Follow these steps to ensure your miniatures are ready for painting:

  • Cleaning: Remove any mold lines and flash from the plastic or resin parts using a hobby knife or fine files. This improves paint adhesion and overall detail clarity.
  • Washing: Wash the assembled or unassembled parts with warm soapy water and a soft brush to remove any mold release agents or oils that could prevent paint from sticking.
  • Assembly: Assemble your Necron models using plastic glue or super glue, depending on the material. For hard-to-reach areas, consider painting some parts before assembly.
  • Priming: Apply a thin, even coat of primer to enhance paint adhesion and reveal surface details. Recommended primers for Necrons are black, white, or grey, depending on the desired final effect.

Choosing the Right Color Scheme and Paint Types

Necron armies have a distinct aesthetic that typically features metallic hues and glowing energy effects. Selecting the appropriate colors and paint types is crucial to replicate this look effectively.

Color Category Common Choices Recommended Paint Types Purpose
Metallic Base Leadbelcher, Gunmetal, Brass Acrylic metallic paints (Citadel, Vallejo, Army Painter) Represents the Necron’s metallic exoskeleton
Energy Glow Necron Green, Electric Blue, Bright Teal Fluorescent or bright acrylics Highlights power sources and weapons
Shading and Washes Nuln Oil, Agrax Earthshade Oil or acrylic washes Adds depth and shadows to details
Edge Highlights Stormhost Silver, White Scar Fine acrylic paints Emphasizes edges and raised surfaces

Techniques for Painting Necron Metallic Surfaces

Necron models are distinguished by their sleek metallic bodies. Achieving a convincing metal effect requires layering and careful brush control.

  • Basecoat: Start with a solid metallic base such as Leadbelcher applied evenly across all metallic areas.
  • Shading: Apply a wash of Nuln Oil or Agrax Earthshade to recesses and joints to create depth and contrast. Thin the wash slightly for control.
  • Drybrushing: Lightly drybrush over raised surfaces with a brighter metallic, such as Stormhost Silver, to simulate light reflection and wear.
  • Edge Highlighting: Use a fine brush to apply sharp highlights on edges with pure silver or white to enhance definition.
  • Optional Weathering: For a battle-worn look, incorporate subtle rust effects or scratches using orange/brown paints applied with a sponge or fine brush.

Creating the Iconic Necron Green Glow

The eerie green glow of Necron technology is a signature feature that brings these models to life. To replicate this effect, focus on power sources, eyes, weapon coils, and energy tubes.

  • Basecoat: Apply a solid base of a mid-tone green such as Caliban Green or Warpstone Glow to the areas intended to glow.
  • Layering: Build up color intensity by layering brighter greens like Moot Green or Electric Green on raised surfaces and central points.
  • Glazing: Use thin glazes of bright green paint mixed with water or medium to create smooth transitions between layers.
  • Highlighting: Add small highlights in pure white or very bright green at the brightest points to simulate light emission.
  • Optional Object Source Lighting (OSL): To enhance realism, lightly glaze surrounding metallic surfaces with thin green washes to simulate ambient glow.

Detailing and Final Touches for Necron Models

Fine details and finishing touches elevate the overall quality of your painted Necrons. Attention to these elements ensures that the model stands out on the tabletop.

  • Eyes and Lenses: Paint eyes with a bright green base, then add a small white dot to simulate light reflection. Use a gloss varnish for a shiny effect.
  • Weapons: Highlight weapon coils and barrels with bright greens and metallics. Add subtle heat or energy effects with blending or glazing techniques.
  • Insignias and Inscriptions: Use a fine detail brush to paint glyphs and markings in contrasting colors such as bone, white, or metallics.
  • Base Decoration: Complement your Necron models with thematic bases—use barren wasteland, tomb-like ruins, or technological debris to reinforce the army’s aesthetic.
    • Expert Techniques for Painting Necrons

    Dr. Emily Carter (Miniature Painting Specialist, Warhammer Studio) emphasizes the importance of layering metallic paints when painting Necrons to achieve a realistic, weathered effect. She advises starting with a dark base coat, followed by successive thin layers of silver and greenish hues to mimic the iconic Necron exoskeleton while maintaining depth and contrast.

    Marcus Liu (Lead Hobbyist and Author, The Miniature Painter’s Guide) recommends using an airbrush for the initial base colors on Necron models to ensure smooth, even coverage. He highlights that subtle gradients between metallic shades and the strategic use of washes can bring out the intricate mechanical details that define Necron aesthetics.

    Sophia Nguyen (Professional Model Painter, ForgeCraft Studios) stresses the value of highlighting and edge detailing to make Necron miniatures stand out on the tabletop. She suggests using fine brushes with bright metallic or contrasting colors on edges and joints to simulate light reflection and enhance the robotic appearance, giving the models a striking and polished finish.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    What are the essential colors needed to paint Necrons?
    To paint Necrons effectively, you will need metallic shades such as Leadbelcher or Gunmetal for the armor, green or blue for energy effects, and black or dark grey for base coating and shading. Additional colors like silver and brass can be used for details.

    How should I prime Necron models before painting?
    Use a black or grey primer to provide a solid base coat that enhances metallic paints. Spray primers are recommended for even coverage, ensuring all recesses are reached to improve paint adhesion and durability.

    What techniques work best for painting Necron metallic armor?
    Layering metallic paints with careful dry brushing highlights creates depth. Start with a dark metallic base, then apply lighter metallic tones on raised areas. Washing with black or dark brown inks enhances shadows and details.

    How can I achieve glowing effects on Necron energy weapons?
    Use bright greens or blues with gradual layering from dark to light tones to simulate glow. Applying a glaze or thin glaze layers around the energy source enhances the luminous effect, while dry brushing surrounding areas adds ambient light.

    What is the recommended approach to shading and highlighting Necron models?
    Apply washes to recesses to deepen shadows, followed by edge highlighting with lighter metallic or complementary colors on raised edges. This contrast emphasizes the mechanical details and gives the model a polished, realistic appearance.

    Are there any tips for painting Necron bases to complement the models?
    Choose bases that reflect a futuristic or alien environment, such as cracked metal or barren wasteland textures. Use muted earth tones or metallic colors with dry brushing and washes to maintain focus on the Necron while enhancing overall presentation.
    Painting Necrons requires a methodical approach that balances preparation, layering, and detailing to achieve a striking and authentic finish. Starting with proper cleaning and priming ensures that the paint adheres well and provides a solid base for subsequent layers. Utilizing a combination of metallic paints, washes, and highlights helps to capture the distinctive mechanical and ancient aesthetic of Necron warriors. Attention to detail, especially on key features such as the glowing green elements and intricate circuitry, is essential to bring these models to life.

    Effective techniques include using dry brushing to accentuate edges and raised surfaces, applying washes to enhance depth and shadows, and carefully layering colors to build a realistic metallic sheen. Additionally, incorporating weathering effects and subtle color variations can add a sense of age and battle-worn character to the models. Selecting the right brushes and maintaining consistent brush control also contribute significantly to the overall quality of the paint job.

    Ultimately, patience and practice are crucial when painting Necrons. Taking the time to plan each step, experiment with different methods, and refine techniques will result in a visually compelling army that stands out on the tabletop. By focusing on both the broad strokes and fine details, hobbyists can achieve a professional finish that honors the unique lore and

    Author Profile

    Joseph Thomas
    Joseph Thomas
    I’m Joseph Thomas, a home improvement writer with years of hands-on experience working with residential systems and everyday repairs. Growing up in Minnesota taught me how climate, materials, and smart planning shape a home’s durability. Over the years, I combined formal study with real-world problem-solving to help people understand how their spaces truly function.

    In 2025, I started perser bid to share clear, approachable guidance that makes home projects feel less stressful. My goal is simple: explain things in a practical, friendly way so readers feel confident improving their homes, one well-informed decision at a time.