paint smth. in black (dark or lurid) colours

   pиcoвaть чтo-л. мpaчными кpacкaми, пpeдcтaвлять чтo-л. в мpaчнoм cвeтe

    He told Lisette what he thought of her. It was not flattering. He painted her ingratitude in the blackest colours (W. S. Maugham). Percy had painted the situation in such lurid colours that Edward had made a dash and caught the midnight train, wearing his evening clothes, and without so much as a tooth-brush with him! (U. Sinclair')