Black Watercolour Paper

If you're stuck moving from point A to point B, perhaps it's time to consider starting from point C. Sometimes, a different starting point is all we need to begin.

The last time I was in Opus Art Supplies, I impulse purchased this tiny pad of Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress 100% cotton watercolour paper in black by Legion Paper. At only 2 x 3”, I was enamoured by its tiny size. If you haven’t noticed, I’m really in love with tiny, beautiful things! For a while, the little pad remained forgotten in my studio. But recently, I've been experimenting with black paper.

This black paper is my point C - a completely new and different place to start painting. The literal opposite of white watercolour paper, it invites a new challenge and new possibilities.

I was so pleased with the tiny landscape pictured above; it was one of those magical paintings that just effortlessly ‘rolled off the brush’, free from the planning and overthinking that can sometimes squash the painting process. I used watercolour, gouache, and Neocolor II pastels for this piece. The opacity of gouache and Neocolors complements the black paper beautifully, while the iridescence of BEAM paints adds a sparkling touch.

Media to use on black watercolour paper 

  • watercolour paints (Daniel Smith and BEAM)

  • gouache paints (BEAM and M.Graham & Co.)

  • iridescent or metallic paints (BEAM and Finetec)

  • acrylic paints

  • watercolour pencil crayons (Derwent)

  • Caran d'Ache Neocolor II pastels

  • Uni-Posca paint pens

  • Gellyroll pens (Sakura)

What ideas can you dream up for creating on black paper?

  • a bouquets of bright spring flowers

  • starry night skies and aurora borealis

  • flowing white or iridescent feathers

  • jellyfish floating in the sea

Learn more about Stonehenge Aqua Black here: https://legionpaper.com/aqua-black

Nicole Warrington