In December 2011, with Hearts having problems paying wages, it was reported that Black had taken a part-time job as a painter. At half time in the match against Dunfermline on 17 December the stadium announcer played Paint it black and after the Edinburgh Derby on 2 January 2012 he revealed a T-shirt with the message "I'll paint this place maroon" in reference to his part-time job. On 30 April 2012, Hearts announced that Black would leave Hearts in the summer. Black helped Hearts win the 2011–12 Scottish Cup, defeating Hibernian 5–1 in the 2012 Scottish Cup Final.