Neocolor I Wax Pastels by Caran d'Ache

Neocolor I wax pastels by Caran d'Ache are permanent, water-resistant and highly opaque on all surfaces. Available in metal boxes of 10, 15 or 30 colours. The rich pigments cover well on all backgrounds. The high pigment content and opaque wax make the colours stand out clearly on black paper, unfinished wood, kraft paper and cardboard. Where pencils or markers fade, Neocolor I remains visible.

Permanent and water-resistant

This sets them apart from their cousin, Neocolor II water-soluble pastels. Neocolor I is permanent: once applied, it does not dissolve, run or lift.

This means you can paint or ink over it without disturbing the original mark. This is the basis of the resist technique: drawing with wax, then applying a wash that the wax repels. The effect is immediate and striking.

Three sizes available:

• 10 colours: The starter set. Basic shades plus white and black, perfect for trying out resist and sgraffito techniques.
• 15 colours: The working set. Includes intermediate shades (several blues and greens) for more colour options.
• 30 colours: The full palette. Every colour family is included, with greys and earth tones. Ideal for serious mixed media work and studio use.

Product details:

• Properties: Permanent · water-resistant · highly opaque
• Surfaces: Paper, cardboard, kraft paper, wood, glass, metal, plastic, stone, pebbles, ceramics, fabric. Perfect for mixed media, art journaling, sketchbooks and object customisation.
• Techniques: Line work, solid colour, sgraffito, blending, mineral spirit dilution, resist under washes

FAQ:

What is the difference between Neocolor I and Neocolor II? Neocolor I is permanent and water-resistant: it does not dissolve and you can paint over it without disturbing the mark. Neocolor II is water-soluble: it turns into a wash when brushed with water. They are different tools often used together.

Can they be diluted? Not with water—they resist it. However, a brush or cloth dampened with mineral spirits turns them into oily washes, allowing blending effects not possible otherwise.

Do they show up on black backgrounds? Yes, this is a key feature: the wax is opaque and heavily pigmented. They cover kraft paper, unfinished wood and cardboard equally well.

Can the colours be mixed? Yes, by layering and blending with fingers. The wax allows very smooth transitions.