Black Backgrounds - 16 methods tested

Watch me test 16 different art products and techniques to figure out which are the best for creating black backgrounds–especially for coloring books, card making & art journaling. I used the following criteria to test and evaluate the best black backgrounds: ease of application, opacity and intensity of black, streakiness/blotchiness, layer-ability, paper bleed, and paper damage/warping. These are the products that I tested: Derwent Inktense Pencils, Inktense with Brush Pen, Caran d’Ache Neocolor II Aquarelle, NeoColor II with Brush Pen, Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil with Gamsol, Colored Pencil with Alcohol Marker, and more!

SEE THE TEST RESULTS HERE

===RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS===

Coloring Books Printed on Black Paper

Favorite Coloring Bliss Paper

===AFFILIATE LINKS===

Lefranc & Bourgeois Flashe Vinyl Paint

Winsor & Newton Designer's Gouache

Acrylic Craft Paint

Posca Paint Marker Pens

===RECOMMENDED VIDEO===
Colour with Claire Livestream - Tuesday 26th March 2024
(shows Lefranc product at 46:20)

===CHAPTER MARKERS===

00:00:00 - Welcome & Introduction
00:01:26 - Products Tested & How I Judged the Results
00:04:13 - 16 Different Ways to Create a Black Background
00:05:40 - Black Alcohol Marker Test
00:06:46 - How to Refill an Alcohol Marker
00:09:17 - Uni Posca Pen Test
00:11:34 - Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache Tests
00:12:12 - Liquitex Acrylic Goauche Test
00:13:34 - Pan Pastel Tests
00:15:11 - Derewent Inktense Pencil Test 1
00:16:15 - Derwent Inktense Pencil Test 2 with ColorIt Waterbrush Pen
00:17:09 - Caran d'Ache Neocolor II Aquarelle Test 1
00:17:58 - Caran d'Ache NeoColor II Aquarelle Test 2 with ColorIt Brush Pen
00:18:32 - Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Test
00:19:38 - Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil Test 1 with Gamsol
00:21:39 - Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil Test 2 with Alcohol Marker
00:22:16 - Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil Test 3 with Alcohol Marker
00:23:09 - Anitas Acrylic Craft Paint Test
00:23:48 - Anita's Acrylic Paint Test 2 with Clear Gesso
00:24:59 - Lefrance Bourgeois Flashe Vinyl Paint Test
00:26:02 - See the Testing Results
00:34:04 - The Best Art Products for Creating Black Backgrounds

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[devonmccarroll]

I would love to see ideas for different ways to do colored backgrounds! Thank you for all that you do! This is my favorite channel ever!

[NelaDunato]

I did a video comparison 2 years ago with 14 black art materials, slightly different selection than this so it's interesting to see how it all compares!
My favorite ended up being regular gouache (Schminke Akademie) because it's easy to apply, uniform, and affordable.
Turner acrylic gouache is much darker and extremely matte, but it was difficult to get the consistency right. Out of the tube it's thick and difficult to paint on, and mixed with water it gets streaky. It's also very expensive.
I like black gesso (Pebeo) specifically if I want do draw over it. I find that it's not as deep black as gouache, but it's super even and the surface has a perfect velvety feeling, not like your mix of paint and clear gesso.
What I'm getting from this is that some of these properties really depend on the brand!

Vinyl paint sounds intriguing, I have to check if it's imported to my country. Price-wise it seems on par with acrylic gouache.

[donnaskelcy]

I Love that you did this experiment. Thank you for taking the time to show us what happens with different mediums.

[ColourwithClaire]

So happy you loved the Le Franc paint! Isn’t it just beautiful to lay down? 🥰 That jar should last ages as the coverage is so good even with minimal product ❤

[melaniemonroe]

I really like your content Jennifer and Steve the work you do is impressive keep it up 👍🥰

[raggedblossom]

You and Steve have done so much valuable work for this! Your French pronunciation is spot-on.

[crazybyproxy]

Backgrounds are a new venture for me. I remember the Claire's video & I was looking for a second opinion as it is even more expensive here in Canada. Thanks for all you do to teach us new & useful techniques.

[carolync]

Just love this video! You did a very thorough job, and I thank you so much for all your time and effort.

[lisataylor]

Great video. I would love more background ideas and tutorials please.

[lisakoehler]

Wow, lots of info here. Thanks for taking the time to compare black background media. Looks like I’ll be purchasing that French paint. 😍

[bette-annflood]

Black is a tough one. So this should be interesting.😊

[christinescoloringandcrafts]

Nice testing! I always kinda wondered because I had not had any luck with black backgrounds so this was really informative!

[katiebbyxox]

This was super helpful! And they do sell smaller sizes of the Lefranc & Bourgeois - Flashe Matte at Blick.

[mrs.m.b.]

Love your videos and your judging/testing videos as you really put the work into doing it for real!
I learn so much snd save so much time and money! ❤ thank you!

[ColoringGoatlover]

So after watching this i have tried two night time black backgrounds and they tufned out nice. With alcohol markers. I was too afraid to ever do this but now i am getting experience doing them. Thamk you. 😊

[donnabost]

Thank you Jennifer!! I use pitt pen---They have the BIG PEN BRUSH, makes it easier than the little, i use the little for Small areas and the

[lucyleereuther]

This was another great test video! I don't use black often for the same reasons some of your test products scored low. I prefer to mix my black usually with Ultramarine & Burnt sennia. I need to check out your video on mixing backgrounds. Thanks for all thework you do!

[ColouringBikerMama]

Thank you so much for this video. I bought the Franc immediately and just used it. The coverage is fenomenaal. Love it

[digitalgraffiti]

I use a budget brand black pencil layer with the pitt artist pen big brush 2.5mm over the top. The pencil layer prevents bleed through on cheaper thin paper. Always do a test on your paper first though.

[colorcrazy]

That was a lot of work and very interesting. I am surprised you didn't try black gesso though. Thanks!