Toddlers who freely scratch with black to their heart’s content. Adolescents who abstain from using colors. Children who frequently draw with black. Are they all depressed? Or could it be something else…
Many parents have asked me: ‘My child uses a lot of black in his drawings; is he depressed?’
Or they ponder what to do with the color black in the drawing box of a 3-year-old?
Should it be removed because it seems gloomy? Or should it be left in?
The Drawing Box
Of course, you decide if the color black is available to your child. It’s that simple. I choose to leave black in the drawing box.
It’s true that young children have less need for color nuances. The older children get, the more they value “the precise color”. With primary colors, you can go a long way for children up to the age of 5. As I mentioned; I recommend allowing the use of the color black.
Here’s why Black feels heavy for many people. The association with death, gloom, and depression is easily made. In our Western culture, black is associated with mourning and death. But it’s also an expression of strength. Many people who (want to) have prestige wear this color. It exudes invulnerability. It indicates a limit; don’t get too close.
Toddler Puberty
In the case of drawings by young children, my experience is that the color black is used regularly in the “toddler time”. The phase in which toddlers are bothered, say ‘no,’ and develop their own will. Revolt against the ruling authority (parents).
Later in adolescence, many adolescents also use black in their drawings. Another phase of rising up and developing one’s own identity. This is reflected in the behavior in daily life of both phases. At such moments, it becomes extra clear that drawing, in addition to playing, is a form of processing children’s feelings and experiences.
Discover and Develop
It also happens that a child who uses black pencils or markers rebels against a situation in daily life that is difficult to express with words. The child may give a signal that you as a teacher or parent can be extra alert to. Is something the matter or is it a one-off expression?
Often the use of the color black shows that the child is rebelling. Does not agree. Their individuality is discovering and developing. And that can be quite confusing…
This dark color can also be an expression of mixed-up feelings that are difficult to express with words. An intensive inner world.
True Thinkers
Some children are thinkers. They tend to worry. Many of these children like to sketch with a gray pencil and prefer not to use colors. Then they can always adjust the image they have in mind with an eraser. And then sketch a little more.
A lack of color or the use of black can indicate melancholy, but does not necessarily have to be that way. It’s important that you monitor and combine several signals that the child sends out with their behavior and attitude. And other signals in the drawing.
Please do not rely on 1 “black” drawing; drawings are a snapshot. At another moment, a child feels different and draws something else.
If a ‘black phase’ (or black-and-white) lasts for a longer period of time, it’s good to keep an eye on your child’s mood.
For those dealing with a rebellious toddler, remember the mantra: ‘it’s just a phase, it’s just a phase…’ 😉