From the manufacturer

An unparalleled know-how since 1795

The Frenchman Nicolas Jacques Conté created the pencil as we know it. Used by masters such as Delacroix, Degas and Picasso, Conté à Paris pastel and charcoal pencils revolutionized art and are considered very high-end drawing products.

CONTE A PARIS Pastel Pencils

The exceptional diameter of the Crayons pastel de Conté à Paris offers true freedom of stroke and an unparalleled feel. Pastel pencil is the ideal complement to soft pastel. Its lead is slightly harder and less pigmented, it will be preferred to soft pastels or squares when working requiring precision and finesse in small and medium formats. Unlike soft pastels, it is recommended not to use the pastel pencils in successive additions of color, but applying in the manner of a patchwork the pure colors side by side.

Squares Sketch TALE A PARIS

The range of Squares Esquisse de Conté à Paris is composed of 14 different shades: blood, grey, bistre as well as 3 graduations of white and black. Very soft in texture, these squares are made from natural pigments (iron oxide, carbon black, titanium dioxide), clay (kaolin) and a binder (cellulose ether).

Square Color CONTE A PARIS

The Conté à Paris Color Squares allow both precise and nervous work thanks to the edges of the sticks. Draftsmen will exploit the possibilities of flat work by using the slice of the square to mark values.

Some technical tips:

The wash

Using a brush of the type synthetic flat brush with a little water, you will get a more or less clear wash with a difference in graduation depending on the tone of the bottom.

The rehaut

The gum crumb of bread or the white square allow you to create highlights on dark areas. With the gum you will soften a tone by rubbing it slightly. With the white square you will get a clearer and sharper stroke.

The progressive mixing

Apply two colors on top of each other, they will mix. Blend this mixture with your finger: you will get a gradient of the resulting color.

Blending

Use the tenderness of the square by spreading it on your finger or with stumps or tortillions. You will get different tones more or less clear.

The Fade

Soft blend of shades that will allow you to achieve a gradient from darkest to lightest in shades of grey. You can achieve this effect with your finger.

Cross hatching

Make strokes by crossing them, with different shades. New shades will appear at the intersections of the different strokes: you will get gradients, textured surfaces.

The trait

Vary the effects of your traits:

- slice flat = broad gradient line

- square edge = fine line.

- flat end = continuous line

The smear

Allows you to mix colours by layering. For this, cover your surface with a dark color, on which you will apply lighter colors. You will get a nice contrast.

Pointillism

This technique will allow you to create an "optical" mixture, letting appear small dots on your support by stamping the tip of your square. Use multiple colors to have a better effect.

• Colourless
• Protects charcoal
• Protects pencils
• Protects pastels
• Odourless