Well, for the past 10 years, I have been brainwashed into believing that the cardinal sin in figure drawing is to use BLACK NuPastel. Heresy! The only worthy figure drawing medium was Cordovan(sp?) or Bottle Green. All other mediums are worthless. So for the past 10 years, I have mainly used those two. In art stores, I wouldn't even consider looking in the general direction of black NuPastel. It was the enemy, and there was absolutely no way that I would be coerced into using that faulty, lesser medium.
Well, this morning at figure drawing, I grabbed an old box of assorted NuPastel, and lo and behlod, there was BLACK in it!! But for some reason, I thought I might give it a chance. I would rebel against my artistic training and give the black NuPastel a go. I was a bit apprehensive. After all, I would be the laughing stock of the art world, at least in the circles I am in...wouldn't I? But I pressed on. I began with a few gestures. After a few strokes, I reeled in shock. I couldn't have just felt that! There's no possible way! The drawing looked....alright. I drew more. Woah! I had just discovered something amazing. I wanted to continue. It was not conte. It was not charcoal (shudder). It was just what I was looking for. It was glorious.
Well, it may not have made my drawing better, but it sure felt goo to use it. I found that letting go of the training I had received was the best thing for me. I've found my new favorite figure drawing medium. It's NuPastel, and it's BLACK. Take that, Barrett and Barksdale and Smith!!
