Wax Pastels and Pastel Pencils for Different Techniques

Pastels can support a wide range of drawing techniques, but the right format depends on the level of control, texture and blending required. Wax pastels work well for broader colour application, layering and mixed-media work, while pastel pencils provide greater precision for outlines, fine details and controlled shading. The Caran d'Ache range includes both formats, giving artists the option to work with expressive blocks of colour or more detailed pencil-based techniques. Pastel pencils can also be used alongside coloured pencils when a drawing requires sharper lines, additional layering or a different type of pigment application.

Caran d'Ache Neocolor I and Neocolor II

Caran d'Ache Neocolor I and Neocolor II are both wax pastel formats, but they are intended for different working methods. Neocolor I is water-resistant, making it suitable for dry drawing, layering and techniques where the original marks need to remain unaffected by water. Neocolor II is water-soluble, allowing colour to be applied dry and then worked with water for washes, blending and watercolour-style effects. This distinction makes it easier to choose between the two based on the type of artwork being produced. Artists working across several media can also pair wax pastels with other drawing and painting supplies to combine dry and wet techniques within the same piece.

Choosing Pastels for Drawing and Mixed Media

When choosing pastels, consider how much precision the work requires and whether water will be part of the process. Pastel pencils are better suited to detailed drawing, fine lines, controlled shading and areas where accuracy matters. Wax pastels provide a broader application and can be useful for layering, colour blocking and mixed-media techniques. Water-soluble wax pastels add another option for artists who want to soften or spread pigment with water, while water-resistant pastels retain their original marks when combined with wet media. Giraffy Co. carries Caran d'Ache pastels and pastel pencils in Canada in different set sizes and formats for drawing, shading, layering and mixed-media work.