Open the .Xdefaults file in edit mode The .Xdefaults file is your home directory.

If it is not there, then create it using xrdb -query > .Xresources 2) Change the "Option Opus.editorBackground: black" to the color you desire 3) xrdb .Xdefaults 4) Invoke the icfb

You have to restart the xwindows -> log out/ log in \ Should work - does for me.
Added after 3 minutes:

I just noticed - on my system (HP) I do not have the "Option" word there just: Opus.editorBackground: #000000

and just for info what you can play with here is a little piece of my .Xdefauls file: Opus.editorBackground: #000000 Opus.textColor: Black Opus.attentionTextColor: DarkOrange Opus.flashColor: Magenta Opus.background: Gray88 Opus.borderColor: MediumBlue Opus.recessColor: Gray75 Opus.activeBannerColor: Gray70 Opus.inactiveBannerColor: Gray80 Opus.topShadowColor: #ffffff Opus.bottomShadowColor: #999999 Opus.buttonColor: #800000 Opus.editorBackground: #000000 ! dragColor should set the ruler color !Opus.dragColor: Red Opus.dragColor: Yellow Opus.layerPoolSize: 32,115