Black paper may seem like an odd artistic choice for spring projects but, in reality, 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 is important you 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.
One simple way to use black paper for art is to create drawings and paintings on black paper. For spring, flowers are a perfect choice. Creating a drawing on black paper is simple. Simply use a light colored pencil to sketch. Oil pastels & chalk pastels, colored pencils, acrylic paint, and gouache – an opaque water color – all show up well on black paper. For spring, you can choose vibrant colors or pastel colors for a stunning flower sketch that really pops. For younger children, cut black paper into Easter egg or flower shapes for coloring or drawing for spring themed pictures that are dramatic and noticeable. For older students, black paper makes a dramatic and unusual paper for sketches, portraits, or more advanced drawings. Unlike white paper, black contrasts colors sharply so any colors used appear brighter and more visible.
Another art project that works well using black paper is a stained glass style collage. Using 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 much like making paper snowflakes for winter. Young children like this activity especially as it is 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 season change.
While black paper may seem like a holdover from dreary winter months, it is, in reality, the perfect choice for a vibrant spring-themed art project!
