Ppaint/dye for blacking Chinaballs

[Daniel Meier]

I was just wondering how to darken those chinese paper lanterns to control the light output.

Which is the best suited paint for that matter?

 

Also was looking for a way to paint my white polystyrene panels black on one side to use them as neg. fill.

Any suggestions?

[David Mullen ASC]

I usually use that lightweight black plastic tablecloth material that's like a thin ripstock for clipping to one side of a paper lantern, or newspaper spray-painted black would work.

 

For blacking one side of beadboard, I'd either tape black showcard or black duvetine to the back side.

[Adrian Sierkowski]

Typically Ill reach for some black-wrap, on a bigger show we'll buy rolls of it and save what we cut to re-use on china balls as skirting.

[JD Hartman]

The paper is too thin to die or tint and become opaque. As already suggested, cover with Duvetyn, Commando cloth, black wrap or black plastic.

If your trying to produce a directional soft light, a Mole 1k zip might be a better choice.

[David Mullen ASC]

Unless you are using a rigid lantern lock system, putting duvetine on one side of a paper lantern tends to cause it to swing to one side.

[Adrian Sierkowski]

Unless you are using a rigid lantern lock system, putting duvetine on one side of a paper lantern tends to cause it to swing to one side.

this is why i recommend black-wrap, far less weight. (or if you're in a pinch just regular aluminum foil)