Black collage papers are a wonderful addition to your mixed media art and art journaling supplies. They bring contrast, depth, and a beautiful dark surface to work with. While you can buy ready-made black paper, I love making my own using ordinary newsprint and black gesso.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how I make black collage papers, compare black gesso with black acrylic paint, and explain why I prefer a matte surface for white mark-making.
Why Make Your Own Black Collage Papers?
Making your own collage papers gives you more control over the surface, texture, and materials you use. You can transform ordinary paper into something completely different with just a brush and some paint.
I like using newsprint because it’s readily available and makes a useful starting point for experimenting with different surfaces. Once the paper is coated and dry, it can be torn or cut into smaller pieces for collage, layering, and art journaling.
If you enjoy experimenting with black and white in your artwork, you might also like my guide to essential black and white collage papers for mixed media art journaling.
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Black Gesso vs. Black Acrylic Paint
Both black gesso and black acrylic paint can create a black surface, but their finishes may differ.
Black acrylic paint can dry with a slight sheen, depending on the product. Black gesso typically dries to a more matte finish.
For my collage papers, I prefer black gesso because I enjoy making marks on the surface with a white China marker pencil. The matte finish works well for this kind of mark-making and gives me another way to add interest to my handmade papers.
You can experiment with both materials on separate pieces of newsprint to see which finish you prefer.
Download Your Free Guide
Grow your stash of collage papers with this visual guide to make expressive marks, add contrast & depth in your mixed media and art journaling projects!
How to Make Black Collage Papers
You’ll need:
- Ordinary newsprint or other scrap paper
- Black gesso
- Black acrylic paint, for comparison
- A flat paintbrush
- A white China marker pencil
Step 1: Prepare your paper
Place your newsprint on a protected work surface. If the paper is very thin, handle it gently while painting.
Step 2: Apply black gesso
Brush a layer of black gesso over one sheet, spreading it as evenly as you can. Allow it to dry completely.
Step 3: Paint a second sheet with black acrylic paint
Use black acrylic paint on another piece of newsprint. Let this sheet dry, too.
Step 4: Compare the surfaces
Look at both sheets under the same light. Notice the difference in their surface finishes and how they feel to work on.
Step 5: Try white mark-making
Use a white China marker pencil to draw lines, scribbles, repeated patterns, or other marks on the gessoed paper. Experiment with different pressures and movements to see what kinds of marks you enjoy making.
You now have handmade black collage papers ready to use in your next mixed media project.
How to Use Black Collage Papers in Your Art?
Black collage papers can be used in many ways:
- Tear them into fragments and layer them over painted papers.
- Add white marks to create contrast and visual interest.
- Use small pieces to anchor a composition or create a focal point.
- Combine black papers with colourful or vintage collage papers.
- Add them to art journal pages when a composition needs a darker element.
You don’t need to cover an entire page with black. Sometimes a small fragment is enough to create contrast and connect the different elements in a collage.
If you love textured, layered surfaces, explore my tutorial on making grungy collage papers with expressive marks for more ideas to try in your art journal.
Keep Experimenting with Handmade Collage Papers
I love the possibilities that open up when you start making your own collage papers. A simple material experiment can give you a new surface to draw on, tear apart, layer, and use in your artwork.
If you’d like more ideas for creating your own collage papers, download my free Creative Playbook. It’s a helpful resource for exploring different ways to make papers for your mixed media and art journaling practice.
Create Unique Black & White Collage Papers
3 inspiring video lessons to create a stash of unique, artful materials for your mixed-media projects.
Keep Experimenting!
Some of my favourite collage materials come from simple experiments with paper, paint and glue. Try different types of tissue paper, make a few marks, add colour and see what happens.
You might discover a new favourite material for your next mixed media artwork.
Happy creating!
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