Create Unique Artworks


Join a community of over 150 artists learning fantasy illustration on black paper.

This course is designed to introduce you to the mesmerizing art of illustrating on black paper with gouache. Whether you're an aspiring artist seeking to refine your skills or a curious beginner eager to explore a new artistic avenue, this course is your gateway to a captivating form of expression.


In celebration of our 1 year anniversary, this course is on 30% sale for the entire month of September!

Was $35 - now $25


🍃 New Bonus section 🍃

DOODLING WITH GOUACHE


All enrolled students will have access to any upcoming bonus sections

+ Join a private community of BLACK PAPER WIZARDS who are also enrolled in the course!


🖤 RECOMMENDED MATERIALS 🖤

  • Black Paper Pad, at least 250gsm for layering without warping the paper. The brand I use is Fabriano
  • Brushes - I recommend 3 brushes. One flat brush to cover larger surface areas, and 2 fine detail brushes. The brand I use is Kum Germany
  • Gouache Paint. I recommend looking for a starter set of 12 paints as this will have the basic colors we will use in this course. The brand I use is Daniel Smith.
  • Color Pencils (optional) for adding texture to a finished illustration
  • A jar of water
  • Paper towel/rags
  • Pencil
  • Your unique imagination!

Who is this course for?

  • Fantasy Enthusiasts

    This course is especially for fantasy enthusiasts who adore the finished magical look of a black paper illustration.

  • Beginner Friendly

    Beginners and experienced painters alike can enjoy learning about basic gouache techniques and its unique application on black paper.

  • Looking for inspiration

    The course is not only intended to introduce you to gouache on black paper but also show you the beauty of this combination. The course videos and exercises are filmed to inspire you, create mystery and allow you to tap into the creative flow state.

Course curriculum

    1. About Kiara

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Challenges of painting on black paper

    3. Materials

    1. Exercise 1: Writing Your Idea

    2. Gathering References

    1. Exercise 2: Sketching Mushrooms

    2. Exercise 3: Paint Swatches

    1. Palette Organization and Color Mixing

    2. Exercise 4: Painting a Lantern

    1. Sketching Your Concept Idea

    2. The Painting Process (Blocking In)

    3. The Painting Process (Details)

    4. Painting Your Idea

    1. Taking photos, process videos, writing hashtags + more

About this course

  • $25.00
  • 18 lessons
  • 4.5 hours of video content
  • 5 Hands on Exercises

Bonus material

Enjoy additional learning materials to accompany your artistic journey.

  • Course E-Book Guide

    $10 value

    A 28 page E-Book course companion with learning objectives, the course exercises, and more to accompany your experience.

  • Private community

    $100 value

    Join a private community of black paper wizards who are enrolled in the course and share your artworks with them.

  • Bonus Tutorial and Section

    $100 value

    This tutorial shows you how to take pictures and videos of your black paper creations for social media. There is also a bonus section with 3 parts: "Doodling with Gouache" where I demonstrate how to paint without any sketch and create dynamic lighting on the black paper.

Make your first brushstroke on the black page

Enroll today

About Kiara in the Forest

Kiara Maharaj

Course Instructor

My name is Kiara and I will be your guide as we explore the realm of the black page. I am a fantasy illustrator and writer from South Africa. My art is heavily inspired by the whimsical and eerie aspects of nature - a comforting sort of gloom which I often find under a canopy of trees. I started my illustration journey in 2018, and while having no formal art education, I taught myself how to bring my written stories to life using paint. One of the most common concepts I paint are portals embedded on trees with glowing blue energy contrasted by warm light of a lantern or candle. Experimenting with different surfaces has led me to find my love for illustrating these portals on black paper. I am so excited to share that magic with you!

What enrolled students have said about their experience:

I think the most valuable was learning how to deal with gouache and how to get different visual results depending on the thickness of the paint. I think I also really liked that the course went through two practice paintings; I think this helped me familiarize myself with the paints, the black paper, and also how to achieve a glowy lighting effect in my paintings.

I really appreciate this course! I've always been so interested in mystical, fairy-type, and bestiary art and I never really knew how to actually create this specific genre of art with my own hands. I also love that I was able to use a new medium and learn more about art in general!

It was very well done and it helped me understand the difference I need to paint on black as opposed to on white paper.

Ready to step into the black page?

Enroll today