Last Updated on September 15, 2023 by Dee
Wondering what the best black paper sketchbooks are? Fear not! Today, we explore the 10 top choices. And don’t miss out – read on to the end to see some awesome black paper drawing ideas to try out!
Looking for a Black Paper Sketchbook?
I love working on black paper because it forces you to look at your subject matter differently.
Working on black paper means you don’t have the illuminating light white paper under your medium.
Black paper absorbs the light and deepens or darkens the colors you are working with and is a great surface to draw on because it offers a different art-making experience.
White paper (or canvas) is the norm in terms of a drawing surface, so by using black paper, we extend our creative thinking and push new boundaries in our art-making.
Drawing on black paper offers us a new challenge to grow and develop our drawing skills.
So what black paper sketchbook do you choose???
**This page may contain affiliate links to products I have used or recommend. If you purchase something from this page, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.**
10 Best Black Paper Sketchbooks
1. Canson XL Series Black Drawing Paper
Best Sketchbook for Drawing
Canson is known for its high-quality materials and is hugely popular with artists worldwide. This particular sketchbook, the Canson XL Series, is 9″ x 12″ and is spiral bound on the side.
Unfortunately, the 9″ x 12″ page size means this sketchpad can’t be slipped into your pocket, but it does provide a good surface area, and you will certainly have enough space to explore different media on it!
Having a side spiral bind means that the Canson sketchbook can be easily flipped open and lays flat when open – this is a really important factor to consider when choosing a sketchbook.
This sketchbook contains 40 sheets of acid-free paper and is fade-resistant so your artwork will last a long time!
The weight of the paper is 150gsm and is perfect for colored pencils, acrylic markers, opaque pens, inks, gouache, and pastel art.
This sketchbook is recommended for both beginner and professional artists.
2. Premium Black Paper Sketch Pad
The premium black paper sketchbook has a lovely vintage quality because of the faux leather cover and the heavy, 110gsm archival drawing paper.
The pages are micro-perforated so that you can easily and cleanly remove your art to put it on display. This sketchbook feels sturdy, and the pages are well protected due to the firm cover and bookbinding.
This sketchbook does lay flat when open – which means it is easy to work in, and you don’t have to hold it open with one hand while drawing.
There are 96 sheets of paper which are 5-1/4″ x 8-3/4″. This is a travel-friendly size so that it can be easily slipped in and out of a backpack or bag.
This sketchbook’s premium black drawing paper is ideal for chalk or oil pastel, colored pencils, gel pens, and other opaque media.
3. Mod La Vie Sketchbook with Black Pages
This modern black paper sketchbook is beautifully embossed by hand on a vintage 1914 letterpress in North Hollywood!
It has an attractive look to it and is wire bound on the side so it can be easily flipped open.
With 80 lb matte black paper, it lays flat and can be propped open in various directions to sketch.
For interest sake, the paper in this sketchbook is milled responsibly in Wisconsin, recycled, FSC certified, and ideal for mixed media art.
Perfect for use with gel pens, colored pencils, markers, charcoal, pastel and gouache paint.
4. Conda 9″ x 12″ Black Sketch Pad
This sketch pad is spiral bound in a hardcover. This means you can flip it open and work on the pages inside while pressing on the hard, protective cover.
It has 40 sheets of acid-free paper, so your art won’t discolor with age.
The black 150gsm heavyweight paper is very smooth and lends itself to blending colored pencils or pastels. It is also quite tough, so it will withstand strong mark making or erasing of lines.
This black paper sketchbook is perfect for bright-colored pens, pencils, pastels, and acrylic paint.
[Related article: 27 Gifts for Artists who Draw]
5. OOLY, DIY Cover Sketchbook
The OOLY DIY Sketchbook is a small, travel-sized sketchbook that can be used and carried on the go.
It slips in and out of your bag or backpack easily and has a handy elastic band to keep it closed and keep the pages safe.
The cover is matt black and has been left blank so that you can decorate it with your signature art!
This is fun, especially if you use this sketchbook as a personal art journal or a keepsake.
You can collage images, sketch, paint, doodle, or even stick stickers on the cover to make it yours!
It has 75 sheets of black paper inside and has a hardbound wire-o craft cover which means it is durable and your artwork will be protected.
The pages are micro-perforated so that your sketches and drawings can be easily removed if you want to display them.
6. Black drawing paper sketchbook (PETRONAS TOWERS COVER): Best Value for Money
This sketchbook is good for the beginner artist looking to experiment on black paper before committing to making a finished art piece.
It is really good value for money with 120 black pages. It is 8.5″ x 11″ and is a good size for experimenting and exploring materials. It also has a glossy cover that you can easily clean.
7. Satumu Black Paper Sketchbook
The Satumu Black Paper Sketchbook comes in three different cover design options: Pink Galaxy, Nebula, or Little Stars.
It is an attractive A5 sketchbook – travel-sized and portable with two ribbon markers so you can find your place easily.
It comes with 80 sheets and is hardbound. The paperweight is 110gsm, making it perfect for drawing, sketching, and doodling with pens, gel pens, markers, sharpies, colored pencils, charcoal, or pastel.
I recommend working in this sketchbook with dry media or very light washes.
8. Stillman & Birn Nova Series Black Softcover Sketchbook
This is a high-quality, premium sketchbook with heavyweight, 150gsm paper.
The paper is strong enough to use wet media on both sides of the page. (For instance, painting layers of gouache over ink.).
It also can withstand pressured mark-making and erasing of lines and holds up well to layered light washes of wet media.
This sketchbook has 46 sheets and is 3.5″ x 5.5″, which means it is portable, travel-friendly, and is recommended for professional use.
9. Derwent Black Paper Sketch Book
The Derwent Black Paper Sketch Book is one of my personal favorites. The matt black paper is a lovely deep black and is quite tough, so it withstands pressured mark-making and erasing.
It is wire bound and has a hardcover so it can be flipped open and worked in on the go.
A5 in size means it is travel-friendly and can be easily slipped in and out of your bag or backpack.
The sketchbook comes with 40 perforated sheets of 200gsm paper and is perfect for various dry media and other mediums, such as pencils, ink-based pens, watercolor, pastel, charcoal, and acrylic paint.
The pages offer easy removal so you can work on the loose sheets.
I often use my Inktense colored pencils with this sketchbook because of the striking effect!
10. Pentalic Traveler Pocket Journal
This 8″ x 6″ travel-sized sketchbook has a waterproof cover and an elastic band to hold it closed.
The slightly textured black paper is best suited for pen, gel pen, pencil, or colored pencil drawing.
It has a ribbon marker so you don’t lose your place, and it also has a handy back pocket to slip in your reference images, photos, and ephemera.
11. Strathmore 400 Series Black
Best Sketchpad for Mixed Media
The Strathmore brand is well known for its high-quality paper. This mixed media pad is used for art studies and finished artwork. Ar
This mixed media pad contains 300gsm heavy paper, which is ideal for wet and dry mediums. For instance, you can draw with colored pencil and gel pens and then paint over it in gouache or acrylic paint.
Other art supplies you can use: liquid glues and varnishes on the paper’s surface and hold the medium well without buckling.
The cover can be flipped open easily, and the paper is glue-bound – so the artwork can be easily removed if you want to put it on display.
Many professional artists use this mixed media pad for the artwork they sell.
9 Awesome Black Paper Drawing Ideas!
Looking for some inspiration for your black paper sketchbook?
Here are some more ideas for things you can draw using a white gel pen or white pencil:
- Constellations: Create a starry night sky by drawing constellations on black paper with a white gel pen.
- Animals: Draw animals like pandas, polar bears, and zebras, which have a contrasting black and white color palette.
- Florals: Create intricate floral designs by drawing white flowers and leaves on black paper.
- Mandalas: Draw intricate mandalas using a white pencil or gel pen on black paper.
- Portraits: Draw portraits of people or animals using white pencil or gel pen to create highlights and shadows.
- Landscapes: Create a snowy landscape by drawing trees, mountains, and snowflakes using a white gel pen on black paper.
- Typography: Write quotes or phrases using a white gel pen or pencil on black paper to create a bold and striking effect.
Remember to experiment with different techniques and styles to find what works best for you. With black paper and a white pencil or gel pen, the possibilities are endless!
Tips for Drawing on Black Paper
Here is a draft of what I wrote about drawing on black paper with white gel pens or pencils:
Drawing on black paper with white gel pens or pencils is a really fun and creative art medium to try out! The high contrast between the white lines and black background makes your artwork pop in an eye-catching way.
Using black paper allows you to approach drawing from a different perspective – instead of building up dark lines and shadows, you start with a dark background and add light. This encourages you to think about negative space and shapes in a new way.
White gel pens are great for adding fine details, smooth lines, and even shading on black paper. The ink shows up brightly against the black. White colored pencils can also make crisp lines and are ideal for wider strokes, blending, and shading. You’ll get different effects from gel pens versus pencils, so it’s great to experiment with both on black paper.
Having a high quality black sketchbook or drawing pad is ideal for this art medium. The black paper should be thick enough that colors don’t bleed through to the other side. Smooth paper allows gel pens and pencils to glide cleanly for best results. Spiral bound sketchbooks make it easier to lay flat while you work on a page.
Overall, drawing on black adds a modern, sleek look to your creative work. It’s a great way to make vibrant art that pops off the page. The contrast draws attention and makes details stand out. I’d encourage any artist to give drawing on black paper a try – it opens up a whole new world of possibility with art!
How to Draw on Black Paper with White Gel Pens – Step-by-Step
Here is a step-by-step guide to drawing with white gel pens on black paper, including tips for adding shadows and highlights:
- Choose your black paper. Look for smooth, heavy-weight paper that won’t allow ink to bleed through. Strathmore and Canson brands have good options.
- Sketch out your drawing lightly in pencil first to plan composition and proportions. Since you won’t be able to erase pencil on black paper, start lightly.
- Go over your pencil lines with white gel pen to bring out the main contours and lines. Use varying pen tips – fine point for details, broader for bolder lines.
- Add basic shading and shadows with white colored pencil. Lightly shade areas you want to recede or be in shadow. Blend with cotton swabs or tissues to smooth.
- Use thicker gel pen tips to go over the most prominent lines and edges you want to stand out. This helps push your subject forward.
- Build up brighter highlights with gel pen. Use short strokes and Cross hatching to add interest.
- Use a blending tool like a cotton swab to soften and feather out edges of shadows. This creates gradual tones.
- Use white colored pencil to add finer details, textures, patterns and designs. Lightly layer and blend for smoothness.
- Finish by outlining key edges with gel pen to make them pop. Add any final crisp highlights.
Take your time building up the white in layers for best results. Having both white gel pens and pencils allows lots of effects!
[For more tips on how to draw on black paper, read my article Drawing on Black Paper]
What is the best sketchbook overall?
Canson XL Series Black Drawing Paper
What is a hardbound sketchbook?
A hardbound sketchbook is bound using a hard cover usually made from hard card stock or cardboard.
Best Black Paper Sketchbook A5
Derwent Black Paper Sketch Book
Best Black paper scrapbook
Canson XL Series Black Drawing Paper
Best Black Paper drawing book
Canson XL Series Black Drawing Paper
How do you decorate a black sketchbook?
Your black paper sketchbook can become your personal art journal documenting your ideas and art processes over time.
Decorating the cover of your sketchbook is not only a fun thing to do, but it can be therapeutic to express yourself on the cover.
Your sketchbook will then be unique and covered in your personal artistic mark.
[Related article: 15 Best Pencil Cases for Artists & How you Should Choose One]
There are many ways to go about decorating your black paper sketchbook.
- You can collage photos, images, or magazine pictures on top of the black cover, arranging them in a composition that is meaningful to you. You can also include words and phrases that are significant to you.
- Using acrylic, gouache, or poster paint, you can paint on the cover.
- You can stain the cover by experimenting with different oils to deepen the cover’s black or create a sheen.
- You can glaze or varnish the cover to create a shiny surface. Some glazes or gel mediums have glitter inside them, and so will create a lovely sparkly effect. You can also varnish or glaze over a drawing or painting you have completed on your cover.
- You can draw, sketch, or doodle on the black cover using various pens, pencils, and markers (see below).
Best Mediums to Use on Black Paper
- Derwent Inktense Colored Pencils
- Faber Castell Goldfaber Pencils
- Sakura Gel Pens (White)
- Sakura Gel Pens
- Pentel Gold Ink Gel Pen
- White Charcoal Pencil
- Caran D’ Ache Neocolor 2
- Arteza Acrylic Paint Markers
[Related Post: A List of the Best Junk Journal Supplies]
Conclusion
Working in a black paper sketchbook is a liberating and new way to explore your subject matter. The most important thing when working in your sketchbook is to have fun with it and focus on the process!
I hope this article has given you some exciting ideas for drawing on black paper and helped you decide which black paper sketchbook to choose to best suit your needs!
Other articles you may enjoy…
Gouache vs Acrylic Paint | What’s the best paint for you?
Looking For a Mixed Media Sketchbook? 16 Best Mixed Media Sketchbooks for Wet & Dry Media
Best Value for Money Sketchbook.
Do you think this would work well with arcrylic gel pens?
Yes, it absolutely will!