Basic Black

Have you ever noticed that cartoons are drawn with black outlines? That's because the cartoonist is trying to accomplish a 3D feel. That certain look that we've come to associate with cartoons is achieved because of the use of black. You can attain that same boldness by incorporating black into your scrapbook pages!

Adding black to your layout will give you that extra punch that you've been looking for. It serves as a bridge between the shadows in your photographs and the colors on your page, sharpening your color scheme for more impact.

Here are a few ways to use black in your next layout:

• Mat photos with a frame of black cardstock before adhering them to your page. This technique works best on photos with a light-colored background. You may find that darker photos don't provide the contrast that you are looking for.
  
• Add a border of black cardstock around the entire page.
  


• Mat accents such as punches or the letters in your title with black cardstock. Also, consider matting each individual piece in your paper piecings. These steps might be a little tedious, but the result is worth the extra time.
  


• Smear ink around the edges of your page and accents using a black ink pad. If you're doing a color-blocked background, consider inking each individual block. For a different look, ink the edges of your duplicate photos with a black StazOn inkpad to create a faux mat.
  


• Look for embellishments such as black & white gingham ribbon, stickers with black outlines, or black brads/eyelets.
  


• Journal with a black pen and then use that pen to add detail around the edges of your page.
  


• Create your title using as much black as possible with fonts, lettering templates, or stickers.
  


• Use black cardstock as your entire background. This looks great with heritage and formal photographs, but it also gives a totally different look to your average "every day" photos, too.
  


• Think outside the box in your color selection - try using black with bright neon colors, darker heritage shades, and even pastels. You may be surprised at the difference in these colors when used against black.

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