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Recently, Sakura of America hired me to do an art journaling video for them. They wanted to show off their Moonlight pens, which positively GLOW on dark paper. Check out the video (and you can subscribe to Sakura's YouTube channel for lots of fun videos featuring their products):
Here's the spread from the video:
I also used the Moonlight pens (and a few Souffle and Stardust pens) on this page:
And here is an "investigation" style page I did recently. I took every medium I thought might work on black and tried it out in my journal:
Some of the results were quite surprising and I love having this reference point for myself for later projects! Of course, after seeing Dion's post last week I'm slapping my forehead for not even trying my water soluble crayons! Silly girl! Guess I'm going to need some more boxes!
What do you think? Do you ever start with a black page in your journal?
Thanks for stopping by!
Is there no end to your brilliance, sister??? This is sweeeeeeet!
Is there no end to your brilliance, sister??? This is sweeeeeeet!
Is there no end to your brilliance, sister??? This is sweeeeeeet!
Is there no end to your brilliance, sister??? This is sweeeeeeet!
Hello! I have never tried a black page for my journal but seeing yours I’ m sure to have a go with it now. Thank you for all the inspiration.
Hello! I have never tried a black page for my journal but seeing yours I’ m sure to have a go with it now. Thank you for all the inspiration.
Hello! I have never tried a black page for my journal but seeing yours I’ m sure to have a go with it now. Thank you for all the inspiration.
Hello! I have never tried a black page for my journal but seeing yours I’ m sure to have a go with it now. Thank you for all the inspiration.
I used one once recently and used Elmers white paint, and silver and gold on it.. that is the only colors I had that would show up. Wished I had some bright colors when I picked up that black paper!! lol
I used one once recently and used Elmers white paint, and silver and gold on it.. that is the only colors I had that would show up. Wished I had some bright colors when I picked up that black paper!! lol
I used one once recently and used Elmers white paint, and silver and gold on it.. that is the only colors I had that would show up. Wished I had some bright colors when I picked up that black paper!! lol
I used one once recently and used Elmers white paint, and silver and gold on it.. that is the only colors I had that would show up. Wished I had some bright colors when I picked up that black paper!! lol
Hi Julie, I have never used the black page but I am gonna start today, don’t have the Moomlite, but I have most of the other mediems that you used, love thoses pages very inspering, Keep up the good work you are amazing….
Hi Julie, I have never used the black page but I am gonna start today, don’t have the Moomlite, but I have most of the other mediems that you used, love thoses pages very inspering, Keep up the good work you are amazing….
Hi Julie, I have never used the black page but I am gonna start today, don’t have the Moomlite, but I have most of the other mediems that you used, love thoses pages very inspering, Keep up the good work you are amazing….
Hi Julie, I have never used the black page but I am gonna start today, don’t have the Moomlite, but I have most of the other mediems that you used, love thoses pages very inspering, Keep up the good work you are amazing….
I haven’t done much with black paper in my journal but I think that is about to change!
I haven’t done much with black paper in my journal but I think that is about to change!
I haven’t done much with black paper in my journal but I think that is about to change!
I haven’t done much with black paper in my journal but I think that is about to change!
This looks like so much fun! I love pens. I have a pair of white sneakers that I doodled on with Sharpies :D. I haven’t tried this though. I’m happy to see someone else use patterns and lines. I’m constantly doodling patterns! Of the mediums you experimented with, the Sakura pens seem to stand out the most.
This looks like so much fun! I love pens. I have a pair of white sneakers that I doodled on with Sharpies :D. I haven’t tried this though. I’m happy to see someone else use patterns and lines. I’m constantly doodling patterns! Of the mediums you experimented with, the Sakura pens seem to stand out the most.
This looks like so much fun! I love pens. I have a pair of white sneakers that I doodled on with Sharpies :D. I haven’t tried this though. I’m happy to see someone else use patterns and lines. I’m constantly doodling patterns! Of the mediums you experimented with, the Sakura pens seem to stand out the most.
This looks like so much fun! I love pens. I have a pair of white sneakers that I doodled on with Sharpies :D. I haven’t tried this though. I’m happy to see someone else use patterns and lines. I’m constantly doodling patterns! Of the mediums you experimented with, the Sakura pens seem to stand out the most.
Love your videos, Julie! These pages are fantastic.
Love your videos, Julie! These pages are fantastic.
Love your videos, Julie! These pages are fantastic.
Love your videos, Julie! These pages are fantastic.
During a recent jury duty assignment I decided to try black ATC’s! They were the perfect size for handling in a cramped courthouse jury pool of roughly 350 New Yorkers. I used a white Prismacolor pencil & a Sakura white ink pen to represent the pool in an organized motif since moving about the facility was discouraged. I had enough time to make 2 and join them together like a book. After that I was inspired to purchase a Fabriano Artist sketchbook which is made with a short range of dark papers plus black – it is fascinating to play with light and shadow on dark papers! LOVE that you brought this up Julie, I’m excited to bring out the darks again!!!!
During a recent jury duty assignment I decided to try black ATC’s! They were the perfect size for handling in a cramped courthouse jury pool of roughly 350 New Yorkers. I used a white Prismacolor pencil & a Sakura white ink pen to represent the pool in an organized motif since moving about the facility was discouraged. I had enough time to make 2 and join them together like a book. After that I was inspired to purchase a Fabriano Artist sketchbook which is made with a short range of dark papers plus black – it is fascinating to play with light and shadow on dark papers! LOVE that you brought this up Julie, I’m excited to bring out the darks again!!!!
During a recent jury duty assignment I decided to try black ATC’s! They were the perfect size for handling in a cramped courthouse jury pool of roughly 350 New Yorkers. I used a white Prismacolor pencil & a Sakura white ink pen to represent the pool in an organized motif since moving about the facility was discouraged. I had enough time to make 2 and join them together like a book. After that I was inspired to purchase a Fabriano Artist sketchbook which is made with a short range of dark papers plus black – it is fascinating to play with light and shadow on dark papers! LOVE that you brought this up Julie, I’m excited to bring out the darks again!!!!
During a recent jury duty assignment I decided to try black ATC’s! They were the perfect size for handling in a cramped courthouse jury pool of roughly 350 New Yorkers. I used a white Prismacolor pencil & a Sakura white ink pen to represent the pool in an organized motif since moving about the facility was discouraged. I had enough time to make 2 and join them together like a book. After that I was inspired to purchase a Fabriano Artist sketchbook which is made with a short range of dark papers plus black – it is fascinating to play with light and shadow on dark papers! LOVE that you brought this up Julie, I’m excited to bring out the darks again!!!!
I have loved starting with a black page ever since I took your recommendation and got a Signo white pen…I now buy them in three’s. You rock circles Julie!
Fun to see you work “so fast” on this page. ha ha
I have loved starting with a black page ever since I took your recommendation and got a Signo white pen…I now buy them in three’s. You rock circles Julie!
Fun to see you work “so fast” on this page. ha ha
I have loved starting with a black page ever since I took your recommendation and got a Signo white pen…I now buy them in three’s. You rock circles Julie!
Fun to see you work “so fast” on this page. ha ha
I have loved starting with a black page ever since I took your recommendation and got a Signo white pen…I now buy them in three’s. You rock circles Julie!
Fun to see you work “so fast” on this page. ha ha
Reminds me of my black notebook and gel pens I used to keep teacher professional development interesting.
Reminds me of my black notebook and gel pens I used to keep teacher professional development interesting.
Reminds me of my black notebook and gel pens I used to keep teacher professional development interesting.
Reminds me of my black notebook and gel pens I used to keep teacher professional development interesting.
I love working on black pastel paper. Using the pan pastels makes a cool work of art. Now I’m gonna try some of the others you used that I hadn’t thought of yet.
I love working on black pastel paper. Using the pan pastels makes a cool work of art. Now I’m gonna try some of the others you used that I hadn’t thought of yet.
I love working on black pastel paper. Using the pan pastels makes a cool work of art. Now I’m gonna try some of the others you used that I hadn’t thought of yet.
I love working on black pastel paper. Using the pan pastels makes a cool work of art. Now I’m gonna try some of the others you used that I hadn’t thought of yet.
I have never tried a black page, but I think I must! I haven’t watched the video yet, so perhaps my answer is there and I will see it later…but did you use black gesso as the base?
I have never tried a black page, but I think I must! I haven’t watched the video yet, so perhaps my answer is there and I will see it later…but did you use black gesso as the base?
I have never tried a black page, but I think I must! I haven’t watched the video yet, so perhaps my answer is there and I will see it later…but did you use black gesso as the base?
I have never tried a black page, but I think I must! I haven’t watched the video yet, so perhaps my answer is there and I will see it later…but did you use black gesso as the base?
Love the black page and I thank you for sharing your experiments with us, good to see how the different markers and paints work on black. LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!!! Thank you for all that you do to inspire me, you have freed me in so many ways in using color!
Love the black page and I thank you for sharing your experiments with us, good to see how the different markers and paints work on black. LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!!! Thank you for all that you do to inspire me, you have freed me in so many ways in using color!
Love the black page and I thank you for sharing your experiments with us, good to see how the different markers and paints work on black. LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!!! Thank you for all that you do to inspire me, you have freed me in so many ways in using color!
Love the black page and I thank you for sharing your experiments with us, good to see how the different markers and paints work on black. LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!!! Thank you for all that you do to inspire me, you have freed me in so many ways in using color!
Yup!
Yup!
Yup!
Yup!
That’s so cool! I’ve never tried a black page (except in scrapbooking), but I love the contrast. Thanks Julie!
That’s so cool! I’ve never tried a black page (except in scrapbooking), but I love the contrast. Thanks Julie!
That’s so cool! I’ve never tried a black page (except in scrapbooking), but I love the contrast. Thanks Julie!
That’s so cool! I’ve never tried a black page (except in scrapbooking), but I love the contrast. Thanks Julie!
Okay, is there anything you have demonstrated that I did not love? No! Once again, thank you for showing us on the videos just how fun these products are to use. I need (uh, want) these pens! 🙂
Okay, is there anything you have demonstrated that I did not love? No! Once again, thank you for showing us on the videos just how fun these products are to use. I need (uh, want) these pens! 🙂
Okay, is there anything you have demonstrated that I did not love? No! Once again, thank you for showing us on the videos just how fun these products are to use. I need (uh, want) these pens! 🙂
Okay, is there anything you have demonstrated that I did not love? No! Once again, thank you for showing us on the videos just how fun these products are to use. I need (uh, want) these pens! 🙂
Love love love journaling on black backgrounds!! This is awesome 🙂
Love love love journaling on black backgrounds!! This is awesome 🙂
Love love love journaling on black backgrounds!! This is awesome 🙂
Love love love journaling on black backgrounds!! This is awesome 🙂
Love the video, you got me excited to try it and I did today! page is waiting for journaling but I loved using the black gesso. A question for you, what do you use as your journal?
Love the video, you got me excited to try it and I did today! page is waiting for journaling but I loved using the black gesso. A question for you, what do you use as your journal?
Love the video, you got me excited to try it and I did today! page is waiting for journaling but I loved using the black gesso. A question for you, what do you use as your journal?
Love the video, you got me excited to try it and I did today! page is waiting for journaling but I loved using the black gesso. A question for you, what do you use as your journal?
Julie,
This was very interesting. I’ve never used the black gesso but I like the look you achieved with the sakura pens so I’ll have to try it. Your advice about using simple shapes of circles, triangles and squares/rectangles in varying sizes is also very helpful. You make it easy to get started and seeing how you put that simple suggestion to use in a complex design is inspiring! Thank you! Ambal
Julie,
This was very interesting. I’ve never used the black gesso but I like the look you achieved with the sakura pens so I’ll have to try it. Your advice about using simple shapes of circles, triangles and squares/rectangles in varying sizes is also very helpful. You make it easy to get started and seeing how you put that simple suggestion to use in a complex design is inspiring! Thank you! Ambal
Julie,
This was very interesting. I’ve never used the black gesso but I like the look you achieved with the sakura pens so I’ll have to try it. Your advice about using simple shapes of circles, triangles and squares/rectangles in varying sizes is also very helpful. You make it easy to get started and seeing how you put that simple suggestion to use in a complex design is inspiring! Thank you! Ambal
Julie,
This was very interesting. I’ve never used the black gesso but I like the look you achieved with the sakura pens so I’ll have to try it. Your advice about using simple shapes of circles, triangles and squares/rectangles in varying sizes is also very helpful. You make it easy to get started and seeing how you put that simple suggestion to use in a complex design is inspiring! Thank you! Ambal
Sensational pages Julie. They really pop and sing.
Sensational pages Julie. They really pop and sing.
Sensational pages Julie. They really pop and sing.
Sensational pages Julie. They really pop and sing.
there’s always lots of brilliant inspiration going on over here in the balzer designs corner of cyberspace!!! i love all your eye-popping doodles on that black background!! fabulous! xoxo
there’s always lots of brilliant inspiration going on over here in the balzer designs corner of cyberspace!!! i love all your eye-popping doodles on that black background!! fabulous! xoxo
there’s always lots of brilliant inspiration going on over here in the balzer designs corner of cyberspace!!! i love all your eye-popping doodles on that black background!! fabulous! xoxo
there’s always lots of brilliant inspiration going on over here in the balzer designs corner of cyberspace!!! i love all your eye-popping doodles on that black background!! fabulous! xoxo
I actually have a journal of black paper where I draw
and doodle with various Sakura pens. I enjoy the pens.
I’ve never done anything like what you did Julie! Thank you for the inspiration. Your pages are beautiful!
I actually have a journal of black paper where I draw
and doodle with various Sakura pens. I enjoy the pens.
I’ve never done anything like what you did Julie! Thank you for the inspiration. Your pages are beautiful!
I actually have a journal of black paper where I draw
and doodle with various Sakura pens. I enjoy the pens.
I’ve never done anything like what you did Julie! Thank you for the inspiration. Your pages are beautiful!
I actually have a journal of black paper where I draw
and doodle with various Sakura pens. I enjoy the pens.
I’ve never done anything like what you did Julie! Thank you for the inspiration. Your pages are beautiful!
You are uhmazing my dear!! Love this! You are a never ending source of inspiration Julie!
You are uhmazing my dear!! Love this! You are a never ending source of inspiration Julie!
You are uhmazing my dear!! Love this! You are a never ending source of inspiration Julie!
You are uhmazing my dear!! Love this! You are a never ending source of inspiration Julie!
I have never try on black gesso…I have to find that kind of pencils and I will try it…thanks for the information…
I have never try on black gesso…I have to find that kind of pencils and I will try it…thanks for the information…
I have never try on black gesso…I have to find that kind of pencils and I will try it…thanks for the information…
I have never try on black gesso…I have to find that kind of pencils and I will try it…thanks for the information…
It’s a great video, love how you do these with such ease and always leave me inspired to go home and fill a page or two, three, four… Love the “investigation” too, it’s awesome.
It’s a great video, love how you do these with such ease and always leave me inspired to go home and fill a page or two, three, four… Love the “investigation” too, it’s awesome.
It’s a great video, love how you do these with such ease and always leave me inspired to go home and fill a page or two, three, four… Love the “investigation” too, it’s awesome.
It’s a great video, love how you do these with such ease and always leave me inspired to go home and fill a page or two, three, four… Love the “investigation” too, it’s awesome.