Working on a black tile is both exhilarating and a little daunting. The moment you place your pen on that deep, velvety surface, every stroke feels intentional — there is no room for hesitation. Unlike white tiles, where lines seem to emerge gently, black tiles demand confidence and restraint. Not every tangle translates well onto a dark background, and learning which patterns breathe and which ones overwhelm becomes a delicate, intuitive dance.
One of the biggest challenges is maintaining balance. It’s tempting to keep adding white to make the tangle “pop,” but too much can steal the quiet mystery that makes black tiles so powerful. This weekend felt like a gentle experiment in control — allowing the black space to speak, while letting the white lines softly guide the eye.
To create more depth and interest, I added subtle layers of color. Against the black surface, even a hint of colour comes alive, creating a quiet shimmer and an unexpected softness that balanced the strong contrast of white ink.
The tangles used are — VPee, Mooka, Bunzo, Bronx Cheer, Scena, and Sez — each brought a different rhythm to the tile. Some added movement, others structure, and together they created a composition that felt both playful and thoughtful.
This project reminded me that black tiles aren’t about filling the space, but about honoring it — finding harmony between light, dark, and the quiet spaces in between.
