Neocolor II have a dedicated following. Here is why!

Caran d’Ache are a brand with a very strong reputation for fantastic art materials, and their range of Neocolor II watersoluble crayons have a very dedicated following. So we asked a handful of artist devotees to explain what they love so much about Neocolor II for the benefit of those who are thinking about giving them a try.

Dion Dior (http://www.diondior.com/)

Dion Dior is an intrepid traveller of the world who uses her vast and exciting experiences as inspiration for her artworks. One of her Neocolor II works has been used on the packaging of Stillman and Birn’s Zeta sketchbooks. Here’s what she said about Neocolor pastels:

“Neocolor II water soluble wax pastels are one of my favourite art mediums of all time. I keep a full set in my studio and a smaller 12 set in my travel sketching kit that I take everywhere with me.  Apart from their ease of use and versatility, I love how deep, creamy, and vibrant the colours are.  Sketching, blending and sweeping the colour on wet or dry gives me a beautiful visual effect to my work. They stay strong in a sketchbook or on canvas and can be applied directly or by sweeping a wet brush over them to pick up colour…they are everything I need when out and about. But their versatility is such that I can easily combine them with other mediums or apply them over a host of surfaces.  I love the deep velvety matte effect of the Neocolor II’s next to the shimmery silky effect of metallic paint. To me, they are one of the most perfect mediums”.

Work by Dion Dior (Neocolor II over gesso)

Arlene Steinberg (http://www.arlenesteinberg.com/, facebook – www.facebook.com/arlenesteinberg)

Arlene Steinberg is a US-based Coloured Pencil artist who is a Signature member of the Coloured Pencil Society of America, and is particularly known for her vivid colours and intricately detailed works. When I asked her what she loved about working with Neocolor II, this is what she said:

“My answer to the question is simple. I love how the Neocolors help speed up my process of drawing by allowing me to cover large areas of background quickly. I also love using the white Neocolor. I wet the Neocolor with a brush at the end of my drawing and use it to put back highlights”.

‘Spring Symphony’ by Arlene Steinberg, rendered in Caran d’Ache Neocolor II and Luminance Pencils on Stonehenge Paper, 15″ x 25″

Lynne Hoppe (http://lynnehoppe.blogspot.co.uk/)

Lynne Hoppe is a dedicated blogger, artist and illustrator, as well as a lover of Neocolor II Pastels!

“I credit Caran D’ache Neocolor II crayons with beginning my love affair with painting. Besides their versatility and vibrancy, I think I felt that since they weren’t ‘real paints’ I could let myself go with them. They felt precious, but not the kind of precious that makes you afraid to use them. These days I use them in mixed media paintings when I want a particular colour, or when I want a dense crayon line. I also like to use them on top of beeswax.

I still have most of the crayons that I started with years ago. That’s another reason I like them – they last a long, long time”.

‘Patrice’ by Lynne Hoppe

Andrea Gomoll (http://www.andrea-gomoll.de/)

Andrea Gomoll is a Berlin based artist who specialises in a number of art processes from photography to art journalling and mixed media. She offers online tutorials on her website (address above). This is what she said of Neocolor II crayons:

“As an Artist who loves to create in my Artjournals & Sketchbooks outside and on the go I totally love to work with Caran d’Ache Neocolor II Watersoluble Crayons. They are so convenient to pack & take along with you and to work with in your Sketchbooks & Artjournals wherever and whenever inspiration strikes. So all you need to pack for an artsy roadtrip is the handy Neocolor Set, a Pencil, an Aqua Brush and something to create art in and you’re good to go. I love the way the Neocolors blend with Water and the rich & vibrant colors – plus the fact that you can use them in a variety of different ways and with different techniques. I just love to use them to color my Travel-Sketches as well as to create my whimsical Girls”.

Andrea Gomoll: Sketchbook page with Neocolor II

Neocolor II are being sold with 20% off the RRP at Jackson’s Art Supplies until 30th August 2015. To treat yourself to Neocolor II click here and have a browse.