Conté crayons were created by Nicolar-Jacques Conte, a French scientist, in response to graphite shortages in the 18th century. He set out to design a pencil that could be made with only a small amount of graphite, allowing it to be made entirely of French materials. The end result was a kiln-fired mixture of clay and graphite with a hard texture. These crayons were popular among artists, and they are still available in many art supply stores today.
Conté crayons were traditionally available in black, red, and brown. Many Old Masters used the reddish sepia tone, also known as sanguine, in sketches and preliminary drawings. Although modern versions are available in a variety of colors, some artists prefer to stick with traditional colors, focusing on shading and design rather than bold coloration. With these drawing tools, a skilled artist can achieve very subtle shading, creating almost photorealistic work.
Conté crayons are sometimes compared to pastels in terms of design. Both are solid pigment sticks that are applied to the paper directly. Crayons, on the other hand, are much harder than pastels or charcoals, yielding crisp, tight lines rather than the smudged look that pastel users are used to. An artist can achieve subtle shading variations in clear, distinct drawings by using Conté crayons. They can stain the fingers, just like pastels and charcoals, so art made with them is usually treated to prevent the pigment from rubbing off.
When using Conté crayons, coarse papers are preferred because they pick up the pigment better than smooth or glossy papers. They’re also used to draw on canvas that will be painted over later. If an artist wants a specific color or level of hardness, they can use one like a drawing pencil. Colored paper may also be used by some artists to achieve a specific look.
The cross section of the modern Conté crayon is long and square. The stick will gradually erode as it is used, and it should not need to be sharpened. Manufacturers also make them in a variety of hardnesses, allowing artists to use them for softer lines and finer shading. Individual black, brown, and red Conté crayons are readily available in many art supply stores, and these colors are in high demand, so individual black, brown, and red Conté crayons are readily available.