Using Black

Well, for a start DON'T use Black straight from the tube.  Black will totally finish off your painting.  Straight from the tube it has no depth, the light doesn't bounce back off it - basically it just falls FLAT/DULL/WITH NO IMPACT......

This is where you need to MIX YOUR OWN BLACK

I hope this will show up from the photo on my camera...

This is 

Black from the tube

Here's a mixed Black  

So from now on always mix your Black

Another alternative to Black is

Alizarin Crimson + Hookers Green

Another perfectly acceptable Black

TEST THIS OUT FOR YOURSELVES,
YOU WILL SEE WHAT I MEAN.