I’m not a fussy person and often like to keep things as simple as possible. What about you?
I’m happiest with an amazing recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes and I can’t really be bothered with a high maintenance haircut. So if you’re in my camp, you’ll especially appreciate today’s art prompt to use white paint markers on black paper.
Supplies
- Black Paper. We used a large roll of kraft paper (see below), but you could also use smaller sheets of black paper, found in any art supply store.
- White Paint Markers.
Supply Recommendations
This list contains affiliate links.
Pacon Kraft Paper. This paper is amazing. It comes in an ultra-wide roll that will cover most tables. It’s not super heavy like a lot of brown Kraft paper, but thinner and semi-smooth. The roll is large and I know that we’ll get a lot of use out of it.
Permaopaque Fine Line Markers. These are the colorful markers that you’ll see in this post. They work right out of the box and the colors are vibrant.
Sharpie Paint Pen. This was my 4-year old’s favorite pen for the broad, sweeping lines you see in the pictures.
Mala White Pen from IKEA. I’m always curious about IKEA art supplies and had to try out this set that comes with a white pen. It was less opaque and vibrant than the other choices, but fun because the white color shows up seconds after drawing with it.
White Opaque Pens from Ranger. These work like a ballpoint pen and the ink doesn’t flow from them as evenly as it does from the other pens, above. Take a look at the little owls that my 4-year old made here, to see how they look.
The Set-up
- Roll your paper out on the table. If you’re not using a large roll of black paper, place the paper in front of the child.
- Place white markers nearby and invite him or her to draw and make marks.
Easy, right?
Note: I can’t guarantee that this will work for you, but the suggestion to draw with white on black is enticing, and gets kids excited simply because it reverses the tradition of black on white.
I also placed some colorful paint markers on the table, but she was 100% invested in the white-on-black drawing.
And finally, a little owl family emerged after she turned one of the flowers that I drew into an owl beak.
While she didn’t use any of the colorful markers, I was sooooo curious to see how they worked and tested them out. They’re far more brilliant against the black paper than I expected, and I would wholly recommend them if you’re looking for a marker that will show up on dark paper.
More White and Black Art
White paint on black paper, The Artful Parent
Christmas “Chalkboard” Packaging – This post is where I got the Kraft paper recommendation!, Going Home to Roost
Process Art: Experimenting with Black and White with Toddlers, Meri Cherry
Painting with Pom Poms + Black and White Paint, Fantastic Fun and Learning
Black Paper and Masking Tape, Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning
Printed Leaves on Black Paper, A Faithful Attempt
Opaque White Glue on Black Paper, with Chalk Pastel, Art in the Middle School
I read a study years ago that talked about young children adding more detail to their self portraits when given black paper and white chalk/crayons/markers.
That’s really interesting to hear, Marmee! Thanks for sharing. I’m going to look into it.
what are the rubber roller printing pieces on the table?
Hi Melissa, They’re rolling stamps from Discount School Supply (ordered about 4 years ago). It looks like they no longer carry them, but there’s something sort of similar on Amazon, Color Stamp Watercolor Pens (pre-inked stamps): http://amzn.to/1pgUSXS (affiliate)