Artists: Why You Need a Black Paper Sketchbook

Black paper sketchbooks have become increasingly popular among artists for their unique ability to make colors pop and create dramatic effects. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic beginner, incorporating a black paper sketchbook into your artistic practice can open up new creative possibilities and elevate your artwork.

In this post we’ll explore the benefits of using a black paper sketchbook, discuss different art techniques and media that work well on black paper, and provide some example artwork to inspire you.

* Please note, some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase using these links I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support and it helps me create more great content for you to enjoy!

The Benefits of a Black Paper Sketchbook

Enhanced Contrast and Vibrancy

One of the most compelling reasons to use a black paper sketchbook is the enhanced contrast it provides. Colors appear more vibrant and stand out dramatically against the dark background. This can make your artwork more striking and eye-catching. For example, a bright yellow sunflower drawn on black paper will look much more vivid and lively compared to one on white paper.

black paper sketchbook sunflower mandala

Product Suggestion: Canson XL Series Drawing Paper, Black, Wirebound Pad, 11×14 inches.

Unique Artistic Effects

A black paper sketchbook allows artists to experiment with unique artistic effects that are difficult to achieve on white paper. For instance, white gel pens or metallic markers create a striking contrast and can be used to draw intricate details that stand out. These effects are particularly stunning in artworks like night-time scenes or galaxy-inspired drawings.

Encourages Experimentation

Working on black paper encourages experimentation with different media and techniques. It pushes artists out of their comfort zone and invites them to think differently about light and shadow. Techniques like using paint (acrylic or gouache) or layering colored pencils to build up vibrant colors can lead to new discoveries and skills.

Techniques and Media for Black Paper

Metallic and White Gel Pens

Using metallic and white gel pens on black paper can produce stunning, high-contrast artworks. These pens are ideal for creating intricate designs, mandalas, or lettering. The reflective quality of metallic inks adds a shimmering effect that is particularly captivating.

metallic paint pen mandala on black paper sketchbook

Colored Pencils

Colored pencils, especially high-quality, opaque ones, work beautifully on black paper. The dark background makes the colors appear more saturated, allowing for rich, vibrant artwork. Layering and blending colors can create depth and dimension that stand out vividly.

Chalk and Pastels

Soft pastels and chalk are excellent for creating soft, dreamy effects on black paper. The dusty texture of these media lends itself well to blending and creating smooth gradients. They are perfect for landscapes, abstracts, or any artwork that benefits from a soft, ethereal quality.

Acrylic and Gouache Paints

Acrylic and gouache paints are opaque and cover black paper well, allowing for bright, solid colors. They can be used for a variety of techniques, from detailed illustrations to abstract pieces. These paints are ideal for artists who enjoy working with bold, vibrant colors and want to create striking, high-contrast artwork.

gel pen floral illustration on black paper

Conclusion

Incorporating a black paper sketchbook into your artistic practice can significantly enhance your creative process. The vibrant contrast, unique effects, and opportunities for experimentation make it a valuable tool for any artist. Whether you’re using metallic pens, gel pens, colored pencils, pastels, or paints, black paper can elevate your artwork to new heights. Explore the possibilities and add a new dimension to your creativity with a black paper sketchbook!

Cheers,

Aesthetic Sketchbook Art Ideas and Inspiration

~ Julie ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to this guide on creative and aesthetic sketchbook art ideas and inspiration! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, your sketchbook is a canvas waiting to be filled with creativity.

In this post, we’ll explore a variety of beautiful and imaginative sketchbook art concepts to fuel your artistic journey. From whimsical illustrations to captivating doodles, get ready to discover endless possibilities for your sketchbook. So, grab your pencils and let’s dive into the world of aesthetic sketchbook art ideas!

Collage

Explore the world of collage in your sketchbook by layering different textures, colours, and images to create visually stunning compositions. Cut out images you like from a magazine or print them off and paste them in your sketchbook. Then, draw or doodle around them.

Insects

Delve into the intricate world of insects as a theme for your sketchbook art. Capture the delicate beauty of dragonflies, the industrious nature of ants, or the fascinating patterns of beetles. Experiment with different mediums and techniques to bring these tiny creatures to life on the pages of your sketchbook, and let their unique characteristics inspire your creativity.

Metallic Pen on Black Paper

Explore the striking contrast of metallic pens against black paper in your sketchbook art. Let the shimmering pigments dance across the dark background as you create intricate designs and patterns. Experiment with different strokes and techniques to achieve mesmerizing effects that catch the light and add depth to your artwork. Whether you’re drawing celestial constellations or intricate mandalas, the combination of metallic pens and black paper offers endless possibilities for stunning compositions in your sketchbook.

Mushrooms

Dive into the whimsical world of mushrooms in your sketchbook art. Capture the intricate details of these fascinating fungi, from their delicate gills to their whimsical shapes and textures. Experiment with different drawing techniques to bring your mushrooms to life on the page, whether you’re sketching realistic portrayals or adding a touch of fantasy to your creations. Let your imagination run wild as you explore the diverse forms and colors of mushrooms, creating enchanting scenes that transport viewers to magical realms within the pages of your sketchbook.

Animals

Explore the animal kingdom in your sketchbook art, from majestic owls to playful dolphins and everything in between. Whether you prefer realistic depictions or whimsical interpretations, there’s endless inspiration to be found in the animal kingdom. Experiment with different styles, techniques, and mediums to bring your favourite creatures to life on the page. Whether you’re sketching from life, referencing photographs, or drawing from your imagination, each animal sketch is an opportunity to hone your skills and express your unique artistic vision. So grab your pencils, pens, or paints, and embark on a creative journey through the fascinating world of animals in your sketchbook.

Abstract Shapes, Patterns and Colours

Dive into the world of abstract shapes, patterns, and colors in your sketchbook. Experiment with bold designs and vibrant hues to create visually striking compositions. Whether minimalist or intricate, unleash your creativity and explore endless possibilities.

“Zen” Art

Discover the tranquility of Zen art as you transform everyday objects into serene compositions. Embrace simplicity and harmony, infusing ordinary subjects with a sense of calm and mindfulness. Let your creativity soar, just like this hot air balloon floating peacefully across the page.

Colourful Doodles

Unleash your imagination with vibrant and lively colorful doodles. Dive into a world of endless possibilities as you explore a spectrum of hues and playful designs. Let your creativity run wild, filling the page with whimsical patterns and cheerful motifs. Embrace the joy of doodling as you infuse each stroke with bursts of color, creating a kaleidoscope of visual delight.

Body Parts

Dive into the fascinating world of sketching body parts, from the delicate curve of lips to the expressive depth of eyes. Each stroke brings anatomy to life, capturing the intricate details and emotions of the human form with skill and precision. Sketching body parts like lips and eyes allows artists to explore the intricacies of form and emotion, creating compelling visual narratives with every stroke.

Mandalas

Delve into the meditative world of mandalas, where intricate patterns and soothing symmetry converge. Let your creativity flow as you craft circular designs that radiate harmony and balance. Explore different styles and techniques, from traditional motifs to contemporary interpretations. With each stroke, find peace and tranquillity, as you immerse yourself in the rhythmic beauty of mandalas.

Flowers

Indulge your senses in a garden of artistic delights with floral sketches blooming with color and life. From delicate petals to vibrant blooms, flowers offer a timeless muse for artistic expression. Whether you’re capturing the elegance of a single rose or the exuberance of a wildflower bouquet, let your creativity blossom on the canvas. Explore the intricate details of each petal and the graceful curves of each stem as you bring nature’s beauty to life with your artistic touch.

gelly roll pen flower drawing in black paper sketchbook

Maps

Embark on a cartographic journey as you reimagine maps through artistic expression. Explore the contours of the world, from sprawling continents to intricate cityscapes, through your unique artistic lens. Capture the essence of place and wanderlust as you blend geography with creativity. Whether you’re sketching fantasy realms or tracing real-world landmarks, maps offer endless possibilities for artistic exploration.

Conclusion

Incorporating a variety of styles and subjects into your sketchbook can fuel your creativity and enhance your artistic skills. From intricate mandalas to whimsical doodles, and from abstract patterns to detailed body parts, the possibilities are endless. By exploring these aesthetic sketchbook art ideas, you can create a rich tapestry of visual art that reflects your unique perspective and inspires continuous growth in your artistic journey. Keep experimenting, keep creating, and most importantly, enjoy the process of filling your sketchbook with beauty and imagination.

Cheers,

Aesthetic Art Journal Page Ideas and Inspiration

~ Julie ~ 5 Comments

Are you looking for art journal page ideas? I’ve got some fun and easy aesthetic art journal page ideas and inspiration in this post.

I started an art journal a few months ago and these are some of my best pages so far.

Art journaling is a fun and therapeutic creative activity. I’ve really loved the freeing aspect of being able to create art with no specific purpose.

Art journaling can be simply a hobby, a way to keep track of ideas, play with new types of art supplies, or even work through emotional trauma via art therapy.

Some of the supplies I used in this art journal include watercolour and acrylic paint, paint pens, and sharpie markers. A variety of other supplies including highlighters, pencil crayons and gel pens were used as well.

psyechedelic trippy rainbow eye art journal page

The journal itself was from Indigo books here in Canada. I wouldn’t say it was the best book for art journaling. I got a lot of bleed through from page to page. Putting down a base of acrylic paint was the best way to prevent bleed through. But I still had to be careful around the edges to not get paint on the other pages.

Next time I will use more of a mixed media sketchbook with thicker pages.

I still really like how these came out though, and even used some of the ideas to create designs for my Redbubble shop.

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing my best art journal pages and found them inspiring enough to create your own. If you post any of your own art journal pages on Instagram, feel free to tag me @julieerindesigns so I can see your work!

You may also like this video I made showing my sketchbook filled with aesthetic mandalas I created for the Mandalatober art challenge on Instagram:

Cheers,

Looking for even more art or drawing inspiration? You may also enjoy these posts!

Mandalatober Mandala Drawing Challenge Roundup

~ Julie ~ 2 Comments

You may recall least year I created my own Mandalatober challenge inspired by Inktober and the many other October art challenges that have popped up in the last few years.

I thought I was super unique and creative to come up with this, but apparently some other people had already beat me to it. So this year I decided to just follow along with the already established Mandalatober challenge on Instagram.

I only managed to get 8 of the 15 prompts done, but I’m still pretty proud of what I accomplished!

Check out all of my Mandalatober mandala drawings below. And let me know in the comments which one is your favourite!

*Please note: Some of the supplies and tools listed include an affiliate link (at no additional cost to you). When you make a purchase through the links I may earn a commission, which helps me create more content ?. I sincerely appreciate it!

Prompt: Radio

For the first Mandalatober prompt I decided to use my Chalkola chalk board and chalk pens! Which was a good idea since I had to re-draw it a few times before it looked right.

Prompt: Fish

For this prompt I was inspired to draw a Veiltail goldfish due to their beautiful looking fins. I digitized my drawing to colour it in. You can see the before and after of the original drawing vs. digital artwork below (slide the arrows).

Prompt: Polaroid

The inspiration for this piece was pretty obviously a polaroid picture. I even cut it out so I could hold and “shake it” like a polariod.

Prompt: Succulents

Succulents are so pretty! For this mandala I used my Sakura Gelly Roll gel pens which almost give it a 3d texture and luscious pastel colours.

Prompt: Hot Air Balloon

The idea of riding in a hot air balloon is so whimsical, but also a bit scary if you’re not a fan of heights. I’d love to see one decorated like this one in real life!

hot air balloon mandala mandalatober 2020

Prompt: Greek Eye

This one was simple but I like how it turned out contrasted against the black paper in my black paper sketchbook.

Prompt: Ladybug

This one wound up being my favourite. It also seemed to be my followers’ favourite seeing how it got over 700 likes! I used my gel pens again for the white part on the wings.

I took a walk around my neighbourhood and stumbled upon these bright red flowers which worked perfectly in this photo.

Prompt: Halloween

The final Mandalatober prompt was Halloween. I decided to take it off the page and decorated an actual pumpkin, using regular acrylic paint for the base and my Aroic Acrylic Paint Pens for the mandala and doodle part.

It turned out pretty good! Plus I can keep it for a bit longer than a traditional carved pumpkin, and probably even cut it up and eat it afterwards!

Mandalatober Conclusion and Takeaways

Since I didn’t create this challenge myself I wasn’t as invested and therefore did not complete the entire challenge. I also decided not to participate in some prompts that didn’t resonate with me as much.

A few of these designs have been turned into products for sale in my Redbubble store, while others will remain as mandalas in my sketchbook for all eternity!

I hope you enjoyed seeing my Mandalatober drawings this year. Now on to the holiday season prep!

Cheers,

Redbubble Sticker Review and Haul

~ Julie ~ 2 Comments

Stickers make everything better! I recently purchased a bunch of stickers from Redbubble so thought I’d share what I got and do a Redbubble sticker review.

I love stickers because you can take them anywhere, and put them on all sorts of things. As you can see, I’ve decorated my sketchbook on both the front and back sides with stickers from Redbubble.

Some of the stickers are my own designs, and some are from friends and artists I follow on social media.

Purchasing stickers from artists you admire is a great way to show your support for them while not breaking the bank!

Stickers featured in this image:

Redbubble Sticker Review

Pros: The stickers are good quality, the colours are vibrant, and they stick very well. The designs have not rubbed off or faded even after several months of use. There are so many designs to choose from, and they come in 4 different sizes and 3 different styles: Matte, Glossy and Transparent.

Cons: I wish they were cut a little bit closer cut around the design and more smooth/rounded. You can trim them however, which I have done for some of them.

Overall the stickers from Redbubble are very nice and I’ve had no problems with them coming off or not sticking properly.

Stickers featured in this image:

Conclusion

Stickers from Redbubble are perfect to decorate your notebooks, laptop, hydroflask or anywhere else you want to add some personality and flair.

They also make great gifts like stocking stuffers for Christmas or to put inside a card. I often mail stickers to my friends at Christmas time inside a greeting card. It doesn’t add to the cost since they weigh so little!

Let me know which sticker is your favourite by leaving a comment below!

Cheers,

Other print on demand product reviews:

Complex Mandala Drawing Template

~ Julie ~ 3 Comments

Following the success of my Mandala Drawing Templates, I decided to create a new, more detailed version of the template so now you can draw even more complex mandala designs!

Just click on the template image below to open it up a new tab and then you can right click and choose “save image as” to download it to your computer.

You can also download my full Mandala Drawing Templates bundle as a PDF here! (It’s free)

How to Use this Mandala Drawing Template

Print the template off on an 8.5 x 11″ piece of paper and then use it as a guide underneath copy paper or even sketchbook paper to draw your mandala!

I find it works best to paperclip it on at least 2 sides to prevent it from moving around under the page while you draw.

Looking for ready-made mandala drawing templates? Check out my new Mandala Drawing Workbooks!

You could also use this template as a layer in your digital painting program to help you draw digital mandalas.

Here is an example of a mandala I drew using this template:

I hope you will find this mandala template useful!

New in 2020: I’ve created a video to demonstrate how I use my drawing templates! Watch it below:

Let me know what you think of this template by leaving a comment below! Also feel free to share your mandalas with me on Instagram by tagging me @julieerindesigns, or post it below!

If you’re new to drawing mandalas, or want something a little less complex, you might want to check out my other Mandala Drawing Templates here!

Also check out my other freebies and digital downloads available in my Downloads Shop.

Have a great day everyone and have fun drawing those mandalas.

Cheers!