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!!
10 comments:
Coincidentally, I learned the same lesson on the exact same day.
that first ones especially nice, I like the linework on the legs.
These are nice, Barry... turned out really good. I like how you destaurated them in Photoshop so you could claim that you didn't draw them with Bottle Green. Very clever indeed.
And one more thing... Goober Peas.
Shane...I will delete your post for that. No more shenanigans! Burl Ives ROCKS!
You rebel scum!!! I'm gonna report you to Barksdale!
But seriously, good work on those drawings Barry. They look great.
...and one more thing...
...Silver and Gold, Silver and Gold...
I'm told that the apeal of Bottle Green was the consistency of the chalk, and that other colors were too hard or soft. I wouldn't know since Bottle green was always sold out at the bookstore. So I have a lot of black drawings from school. They still let me graduate.
Way to break away from the clones, Barry.
wonderful drawing!!i really like to see the construction...very nice!!
Great anatomy study!
Hey there Barry, nice drawings. What is bottle green? I don't know what it is but it might just be the thing I need to reach the next level. I must have some:) Tell the guys over at avalanche I said hi, fun to follow their blogs.
Thanks for the encouragement, Nathan. I feel like I have SO far to go. Doing 3D full time has really hurt my drawing capabilities, so I need to do more of it. Bottle Green is a color of NuPastel that is a pretty good dark, but has a good consistency to it. By the way, that series of head studies you have on your blog is quite amazing. Are those charcoal? Compressed?
Compressed charcoal stix kneaded eraser and fingers. I'll have to try the bottle green though. Happy drawing!
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