Black paper may seem like an odd artistic choice for spring projects. But using black paper in your arts and crafts projects can add dynamic elements to your piece and make your art really stand out. This is a wonderful quality for spring-themed projects.
Black paper comes in several varieties—including for use in drawing and painting. It’s important to choose paper suitable to the art you wish to create. Some paper, for example, can’t stand up to the water used in watercolor or acrylic painting styles.
Spring Project Ideas
One simple way to create black paper art is drawings and paintings on black paper. For spring, flowers are a colorful choice that look great on a black background. Creating a drawing on black paper starts with a light-colored pencil to sketch, followed by your chosen pastel or paint. Oil & chalk pastels, colored pencils, acrylic paints, and gouache—an opaque watercolor—all show up well on black paper. Choose vibrant or pastel colors for a stunning flower sketch that really pops against the black paper.
For younger children, cut black paper into Easter egg or flower shapes for coloring or drawing. These spring-themed pictures are dramatic and noticeable. For older students, the black paper makes a dramatic and unusual paper for sketches, portraits, or more advanced drawings. Unlike white paper, black contrasts color sharply, so any colors used will appear brighter and more visible.
Another art project that works well using black paper is a stained glass collage. Using age-appropriate scissors, a sharp knife for adults, or decorative punches, cut holes into the black paper in different shapes. The paper can even be folded and cut, similar to making paper snowflakes for winter.
Young children love this activity because it’s free-form, encourages fine motor skills, and allows for creativity. Once shapes have been cut out, glue different colored pieces of tissue paper to the back of the black paper frame. This turns your black paper into a beautiful work of faux stained glass. Use spring-themed pastels and colors, or cut shapes appropriate for the change of season.
While black paper may seem like a holdover from dreary winter months, it can quickly transform into a vibrant spring art project!
