Monochrome is a powerful way to capture a portrait, and drawing with white pencil on black paper can be particularly striking.
Some subjects feel as if they are emerging from the darkness. You get a sense of their presence because the light is just dancing across them. Like in my portrait Midnight. The horse is almost vanishing at the edges, adding to the atmosphere and sense of mystery.
Woman in White is another good example of this. I love the way her white shirt is stronger than the details of her hair, and how she has a feeling of emerging and retreating at the same time.
Drawing in reverse
I describe drawing with white pencil on black paper as drawing in reverse, as you have to switch your focus. Typically we work on a lighter background and put a lot of attention on shading shadows to create depth. However with a black base, these darks already exist and instead we have to draw the highlights. It is surprisingly confusing to begin with, building contrast by shading the brightest areas.
The materials I use
I always choose a simple kit when making art. I enjoy using a limited range of tools and the challenge of getting the most out of them.
Black fine art paper
My paper of choice for all of my pencil drawings is Stonehenge fine art paper. This is available in black along with other colours, and as it’s acid free and 100% cotton I know it is going to stand the test of time. Although originally developed for printmakers, Stonehenge paper has become a firm favourite amongst coloured pencil artists. I have been drawing on it for about 20 years.
There are many different black papers on the market. If you are starting out drawing in white on black I would recommend buying something cheaper to get a feel for this style. This can help reduce the feeling that you are wasting materials whilst you learn, and means you are more likely to relax and experiment freely.
White pencils
Polychromos by Faber Castell are my go to coloured pencils. However, when shading on black paper the white isn’t as strong as I would like. So when drawing a white portrait I prefer a white Prismacolor pencil. This has a stronger pigment, with a creamy feel as it is softer than the Polychromos.
Pastel or pencil
If you prefer, you can also use a white pastel pencil. There are many brands available, and any of these would work equally well. I don’t mix coloured pencil and pastel in the same artwork as they have different qualities and will not look cohesive on the page.
Alternatively you could draw with white pastel or charcoal in stick form. I prefer a pencil for the ease of detail and precision it affords me, but like everything in art, it is important to find what works best for you.
When to draw with white on black
As much as I love this approach, it is not appropriate for every portrait. My rule of thumb is when there are more dark shadows than highlights, it could be a good option. That said there are always exceptions to the rule. I drew Morse, a commissioned portrait of a spaniel in white pencil on black paper.
Morse is stood on his favourite beach, looking fabulously windswept. Although with the sand and his colouring there is a lot of lighter shades in this drawing, the choice of white on black adds drama to this atmospheric scene.
A very different commission was for the daughter of a celebrated engineer named Murad. Murad’s daughter approached me as she wanted to have a portrait drawn of her late father. He was from Turkmenistan, and his family wanted his image on his gravestone. As the headstone has to withstand a harsh desert environment, it would be made from black granite, with the dedication and his image engraved into the surface.
I have written more about the honour that was drawing Murad in this blog post. I am very happy to say that from a small and out of focus passport photo, and with the help of Murad’s family, I was able to draw his portrait and play a part in creating a lasting legacy to this great man. Being a portrait artist is a privilige, and it is a role which I am deeply grateful for.
