Working with colored pencils on black paper can create a stunning visual impact. The dark background allows vibrant colors to stand out, offering a striking contrast that makes even simple sketches come to life. To help you master this technique, I’m sharing my simple tips for using colored pencils on black paper. We’ll cover everything from choosing the best colors to applying layering techniques effectively.
But first, you might want to check out my basic guide on how to draw on black paper if you're just getting started.
7 Tips for Using Colored Pencils on Black Paper
1. Choose the Right Colors for Colored Pencils on Black Paper
When working with colored pencils on black paper, choosing the right colors is essential to make your artwork stand out. Black paper tends to absorb and dull certain shades, so picking colors that provide enough contrast is key.
Here are some effective tips for color selection:
- Consider Complementary Colors: To maximize contrast, use complementary colors. For example, if your main subject is blue, adding highlights in yellow or orange will make it pop. Using colors that sit opposite each other on the color wheel will create vivid contrast, making your artwork more dynamic.
- Opt for Light and Bright Colors: Stick with bright and light shades like white, lemon yellow, neon pink, turquoise, and light blue. These colors provide a vibrant contrast against the black paper and make your work look more eye-catching. Think about how a white highlight or a bright yellow detail can bring depth and lift your subject off the page.
- Avoid Dark Shades: Darker colors like black, deep brown, navy blue, and dark purple can easily blend into the background and disappear. Unless you're using them for subtle shadows or muted effects, they won’t provide enough contrast to stand out effectively. Save darker shades for layering beneath lighter tones or for adding subtle shading.
- Experiment with Metallics and Neons: Metallic colors like gold, silver, and bronze can add a touch of shine, which looks particularly effective on black paper. They reflect light differently, adding texture and depth. Neon colors are also great choices because they create a bold, bright contrast that can make your drawing more visually appealing.
- Use a Test Page: Always test your colors on a scrap piece of black paper before starting your main piece. This will help you see how each color looks against the dark background and avoid surprises later on. Pay attention to how colors layer and blend—knowing how they interact will make your artwork more cohesive.
- Plan Your Palette in Advance: Take a moment to plan out your color choices before diving into your drawing. Think about which colors will make the biggest impact on your subject. If you’re drawing flowers, for example, bright greens for leaves and light yellows or pinks for petals will create contrast and keep everything vibrant.
- Layer Light Colors First: Start by layering light colors before adding darker tones. This helps maintain the brightness of your highlights and keeps your colors vivid. Adding a dark color too early can mute the lighter shades layered on top, so always think about your layering strategy to ensure each color shines as intended.
If you’re feeling stuck on what to draw or which colors to use, have a look at my guide on random themes to draw. It might just give you some inspiration for new color combinations and subjects to explore on black paper.
2. Keep It Simple to Start
When you’re first starting out with colored pencils on black paper, keeping it simple is key. Choose basic subjects with large areas of color, like simple flowers or geometric shapes, rather than complex designs full of details. This will help you focus on understanding how colors appear and layer on black paper.
Start by filling large sections with light, bright colors to get a feel for how they stand out. Keeping your design simple also helps you see how the black background can work as negative space, adding depth without extra effort. As you get more comfortable, gradually add more details and experiment with layering to bring your art to life.
If you're looking for straightforward prompts to get started, check out my simple daily drawing prompts for easy ideas that are perfect for practicing on black paper.
By starting with simple compositions, you’ll build confidence while learning how to effectively use black paper to make colors pop.
3. Layer Colors to Add Depth
Adding depth with colored pencils on black paper is all about layering effectively. Start by applying light strokes for your initial layer. This helps establish the base without overpowering the black background. Using gentle pressure allows you to easily make adjustments and create smooth, soft transitions between colors.
Next, gradually build up more layers. Choose colors that will add dimension—layering similar shades can make your drawing look richer, while adding complementary colors can make areas pop. Each new layer should be slightly darker, and you can increase the pressure as you go to add intensity where needed.
For areas you want to stand out, such as highlights or focal points, use firmer strokes and brighter colors to make them pop. Don’t rush through this process—building depth takes time, so focus on adding layers slowly to avoid smudging or losing vibrancy.
To blend the layers smoothly, consider using a white pencil or blending tool. These can help soften edges and create a cohesive transition between colors, adding a more three-dimensional look to your piece. Practice layering different colors and blending tools to see what combinations work best for your style.
Taking your time to layer effectively will result in artwork that feels vibrant and full of depth, even against the black background. The key is to start light and build up gradually, letting each layer work to enhance the one before it.
Layering adds dimension and depth to your work, which is what makes the colors truly stand out on black paper. If you’re interested in exploring more about layering and breakdown techniques, my post on analytical drawing could be a great next read.
4. Use a Wide Range of Colors
o make your drawings on black paper stand out, it's crucial to use a wide range of vibrant colors. Start by selecting bright and bold hues like neon greens, hot pinks, electric blues, and yellows—these colors create a striking contrast with the black background, making your artwork pop.
Test each color on a spare piece of black paper before committing to your main drawing. Notice how each shade reacts to the dark surface—some colors may look duller than expected, while others will shine. Use this testing phase to determine which colors work best.
Avoid muted or very dark tones like deep browns or navy blues, as they can easily blend into the black paper and lose visibility. Instead, focus on bright, saturated colors to keep your drawing vibrant.
For even more variety, mix and layer colors. Try blending two bright colors together to see how they interact—sometimes layering bright blue over neon green, for example, can create a more interesting hue. The goal is to experiment and see what works best to create a rich, eye-catching drawing.
To get a better understanding of how different color selections affect a piece, take a look at my article on drawing versus painting. It talks about the importance of color choices and their role in creating visually appealing art.
5. Experiment with Layering and Shading Techniques
Layering and shading are essential to make your drawings on black paper more visually engaging and three-dimensional. Start by applying a base layer of light colors—use gentle strokes to create an even foundation without overwhelming the black background.
Once you’ve established your base, gradually layer deeper hues to build shadows and add contrast. Use medium pressure for the mid-tones and gradually increase the pressure for darker areas. The goal is to create smooth gradients that suggest form and depth, so take your time to let each layer build naturally.
A powerful technique for adding depth is burnishing. Use a white pencil to blend layers together—apply heavy pressure to create a smooth, polished finish. Burnishing works especially well for highlights, as the white pencil will enhance those areas, making them appear more intense and dimensional against the dark paper.
To make your shading even more effective, consider experimenting with layering complementary colors to add complexity and richness. Burnishing these layers together will result in vibrant transitions that are both smooth and visually striking.
For more ideas on creating depth and movement in your drawings, check out my guide on how to draw movement. It discusses techniques that can help you add a sense of dynamism to your art.
6. Add Highlights with White Pencils
Once you’ve finished layering your colors, it’s time to add highlights to bring out the final details. Use a white pencil to create bright accents that will make your drawing pop. This step is crucial when working on black paper, as it adds that extra bit of contrast and definition, ensuring your artwork doesn’t look flat.
Focus on key areas where light would naturally hit—such as edges, raised surfaces, or focal points in your drawing. Apply firm pressure with the white pencil to create bold highlights, or use softer strokes for subtler effects. Adding highlights around specific shapes can help them stand out and give them a more three-dimensional appearance.
Remember, these finishing touches can make a big difference in your drawing’s overall impact, so take your time to evaluate where the highlights are needed most. This attention to detail is what turns a good drawing into a great one, giving it depth and an eye-catching contrast against the dark background.
You may want to keep your highlights bright for a long time, so check out my tips on how to preserve a pencil drawing. It includes useful information on how to maintain the vibrancy of your drawings.
7. Test Different Colored Pencil Brands for Black Paper
There isn’t one perfect brand for colored pencils on black paper—it all depends on what you like. Here are a couple of brands I love:
- Prismacolor Colored Pencils: These are my go-to for black paper. The rich pigments work perfectly for blending and shading, and the colors stay vibrant over time.
- Derwent Inktense Pencils: If you like blending colors with water, these are amazing. The colors are water-soluble, which gives them an almost ink-like effect that’s bold and bright.
You can also explore other drawing tools to mix things up. My guide on drawing with ballpoint pen techniques is a good read if you’re curious about experimenting beyond colored pencils.
Best Black Paper for Colored Pencils
- Canson XL Sketchbook: Thick, durable, and acid-free, this sketchbook is perfect for colored pencils. The spiral-bound format makes it easy to work on multiple pages at once.
If you’re searching for inspiration on what to draw, especially on black paper, check out my post on drawing at the beach. Bright beach scenes can be fantastic subjects to try on black backgrounds, thanks to the strong contrasts they offer.