If one wants to get more use of their NEOCOLOR II crayons... [A] I've dipped the crayon tips in water for literally just a second, waited a few seconds to let it activate, then drawn with the tip. It's a much different sort of line than with a dry crayon and they will activate further with brush and water differently. [B[ I've used them on 98lb Mixed Media paper employing much less water than one would for watercolor. I get something approaching a dry(er) brush technique. I've even used them on some slightly glossy paper that was the insert from a greeting card was repurposing and some blank cardstock I picked up from the thrift store. The key is much less water than you'd use for watercolor techniques. [C] I've used them on scraps of fabric. I use fabric in mixed media and small slow stitching projects. I've played with the NEOCOLORS on fabric and gotten some interesting results. Lots of people were youtubing about drawing on fabric with Inktense so why not NEOCOLORs? I sprung from a larger set of 40, using gift money for the purchase. These things will last forever. The color is really intense. Of all the color media I have, these are definitely my favorite to play with. But keep in mind, I'm doodling and playing and creating textures and blends of colors. I'm not trying to draw or paint anything representative. So one's mileage may vary on their usefulness. I was looking for a video to put on in the background as I worked on series of small booklets painted with NEOCOLORS so it was serendipitous to find this video!
Lots of great ideas here, thanks! Just a remark regarding using Inktense vs. Neocolor on fabrics - Derwent (the manufacturer of Inktense) claims Inktense is water-resistant or even waterproof on fabrics after they've been activated with water and left to dry, whereas the Neocolor Ils will remain watersoluble forever. Both products have good lightfastness ratings, so as long as your fabric piece is never washed, it should be OK with Neocolor II.
Great work. I bought 4 years ago 84 in a nice wooden case, but never used them , because normal aquarelle colours are this beautiful. But I see now I can use them for smaller fine graphic work. Congrats for your great introduction !
These are so fun! I have also found that when I want to use them in my journal (which is more of a drawing paper), I can blend them with a tombow water marker and get a completely different but also satisfying result without warping or pilling the paper. They are so versatile!!!
SUGGESTION: I have a small plastic cutting board which is just for crafting and scribbling on it works great for blending these watercolors. Just enough texture for mixing. Thanks for sharing your insights on using them. I love them too.
I use one of those, too. With a lot less expensive water color crayons, and love the results. I'd rather just use my artist grade watercolors, though. I'm afraid if I spent so much money on these, they would become so precious that I wouldn't want to use them. I'm just now beginning to use my costly paper by Arches!😮 😮😮😮
I was so happy when I looked up the pigment information and found that the cobalt blues and greens are made with phthalocyanine, which unlike cobalt is completely safe to handle. It's also very staining with excellent lightfastness
I found a small set of 10 that I'd purchased years ago while doing some de-cluttering last December. I've been playing with them since, primarily sticking with a limited palette (ie: carmine, cobalt blue, yellow). I really love their high pigment load. You actually have to be pretty careful with some of the colors, like the Cobalt Blue, for example, because it is extremely strong and can easily overwhelm your illustration. You can also use a blending stump on these to blend color. You don't have to use water to create smooth blends. I typically start off using water to blend but for my finishing touches I switch over to a blending stump so I don't have to worry about possibly lifting color underneath. For paper, I find I prefer 100% cotton hot press the best. Cold press creates too much texture for my preference, but I know that's just a personal thing. Look forward to seeing you using these more.
Hello. If you have a set of 10, I suppose you'll have to mix colors frequently. How do you mix color? Do you place the pastels directly onto the paper, then use water to blend? Or do you mix them on a separate palette?
@@barefacedquestions I layer them on the page. So if I want green, I'll put down a little yellow, then a little blue, then go over the top with a little water to mix them into green right on the page. You could absolutely mix them separately on a palette if you want, as well. Experiment and see what works best for you and what fits your creative flow the best!
I love these... I've had my set for over 20 year's. I always used them with a wet brush 🖌️ straight on the crayon as an opaque colour for illustrations. (More like a gouache). Such a worthwhile investment 😊 🎨
What a great video! I have the large set of these too and need the lessons. You’re right, there is something so fun and special about them. It’s like they are almost too easy to be real. The colors are so beautiful and vibrant. I want to see you paint anything at all with them, just to get the techniques figured out. Florals would be great. I saw where one girl said she uses a sharpener to get color from each crayon, smooshes it down in small palettes with water and lets it dry. Then uses it for a travel palette.
I bought my set of 84 last year at Jerry's Artarama during one of their mega sales. Even with the exchange rate and shipping to Ontario, they ended up being around $125.00. There are deals out there. You just have to look. Thanks Emma for all you do! 🥰
THANK YOU MA'AM EMMA FOR MAKING THIS VERY HELPFUL VIDEO ABOUT THE CARAN D'ACHE NEOCOLOR ll WATERCOLOUR PASTELS BECAUSE THIS INK ARTIST I AM MOSTLY REALLY DOES APPRECIATES YOUR HELP
Great idea! I'm trying to avoid buying more plastic stuff so I keep debating about buying this palette. But I do have an old white cutting board I could repurpose!
You will be happy to know that there is a wholesale art supply store in Canada. Delta Art and Drafting Supplies is located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They have the Caran d ache Neocolor I and II sets and open stock. The prices are lower than retail and they have sales every month. They are one of the largest art supply stores in Canada.
I purchased a set of 40 neocolors on Amazon (US) after your first few tutorials and I LOVE them! I am struggling with how to create with them, so your neocolor tutorials are always so helpful, I need more ideas. Your tree tutorial was magical. The vibrant colors add to the appeal. I want to expand to perhaps a bouquet in a vase, landscape, mountains, cottage... Looking forward to more tutorials!
I loved this video! Good to know all this info. I live in Seattle WA & we have a Dick Blick. I bought a few of these pastels there & would also want to get more. Thanks for the vid.
Great video! I've seen some people use the neocolor 1's as a resist in watercolor and they are quite lovely as well. I can't wait to see how you use these. They're so pigmented and versatile. ❤
I seriously (am an art supply hoarder and am finally shameless about it) keep a small box of neocolor 2’s, ones (non soluable) and Sennelier oil pastels on my desk because all have gorgeous colors, and if I want to block in a color zone or add bright detail, I can quickly get it down with these. I can also “fill in” the tones I don’t have in watercolor pans- they are quite convenient and their lightfastness is noted in each set. A fun tool to change up your approach when you get in a rut!
I followers a course coloring with Caran d'ache. 10 weeks of coloring with all sports pencils and crayons of Caran d'ache. If there is still left over color on your palette, you van remove it with a Magic sponge. In Belgium it's called a "wonderspons" Thanks For the tutorial, dind't really like the neocolors II but seeing you use thema makes me feel curious to try them again ❤
I have crayons & pallet. First time they just seemed like doing same thing as watercolor the hard way😂. Watching this has inspired me to give it another try. Hope you will use them in some painting videos! Thanks Emma for all you do. Painting allows me to shut off from all that noise in our brains and relax. I started with acrylic & then you turned me on to watercolor. I never traced even though I couldn’t draw at all. I found that by making myself follow along sketching I have improved so much! I do a lot of sketching for ideas or to practice and really enjoy it. I remember how hard it was to get how to have a leaf or petal fold over, but then it just clicks. The wonderful thing about art & and creating is there is always new things to learn!
I really regret getting the 10 pack. Like you, I had never used them before and didn't want to spend a lot of money on something I was unsure of. I about died when I first added water to them. The best watercolor pencils/crayons ever! I love my Faber Castells, but this is a whole other level! Thanks for showing some ways to use them because I really haven't had a chance to do much with mine other than swatch them out and a little bit of doodling. They are every bit as good as you say they are!
I bought the 10 pack on a whim last year when I was looking for fountain pen ink. I'm so glad I did! I finally tried them out a few months ago and played around with them, and had a lot more fun than I thought I would. I've tried water soluble pencil crayons before, but there's just an absolute joy when I play around with these! I didn't know they had a palette for mixing this, so I've just been layering with different colours and playing with the amount of water. It was a lot of fun seeing you experiment and have with these wax pastels to show what they can do. Thank you for this video 😄
You should try buying from Jackson’s. It’s a store in UK and the delivery fee is much less than from the US. I’m a fellow Canadian and Jackson’s is the art store for me!
Additional comment. I would recommend you also buy the Caren D’Ache palette aquarelle to use with these. I also use the palette for watercolor pencils.
Did you once use Oxgall as a wetting agent in the water for moving colors, like I use it sometimes for my Aquarell colours ( some trademarks have this and always glycerin and honey inside, for ex. Sennelier, Blockxx etc. ??
I watched one of your previous videos & found them interesting. At the Blick’s (actual storefront) yesterday, passed them on the shelf. I was Interested in the DS crayons but they only had these sets in store. So, why not? Bought the 10 set to try. I see they can be used on wood, stone, etc. I like them. Bought some Fluid paper - (made by Speedball) cold press and I declare there’s got to be at least 50% cotton in it. Also some Blick’s cotton & Arches. I’ve tried them on all 3 …. (will try some Mixed Media paper today) These crayons are gorgeous! I definitely see them becoming part of my , ‘draw it don’t drown it’ , urban sketch kit. Very good info! Thank you
I just got my 84 pack and can’t wait to learn to use them. I’m very new to watercolor and need some beginner lessons for these. Please start posting more videos using these watercolor crayons. Love your work and all you do. I also have your brushes and love them!
I find the lyra water colour crayons do really well with wet on wet, but it was interesting seeing how the caravan d'ache work because I don't have them, the colour you're getting from them is just as juicy as the lyra. Thank you for sharing. Cheers!
You don't really need the palette but it's convenient. I say this because I have always just scribbled on the inside part of the lid to mix my colors :) I think any glass, plastic or metal surfice will work for that purpose,
I love my neo colours. I'm in Canada, and would suggest looking at Opus art supplies for them. They sell them individually and in sets (online - just checked) they are pretty decent for cost and do have discounts if you're an accredited art teacher or a full time student.
Thank you for the great instructions. I have had mine for several months but now feel like I can dig them out and work with them. Also I didn't buy the pallet, but instead I found a rough cutting board at the dollar store and it works great and It's a nice size.
Hi from Australia, l am fairly new to watercolour painting. These watercolour pastels look amazing and so versatile. Thankyou for making your hints and techniques so easy to understand, l really enjoy your tutorials..💝👵🏻
I love them, I've got them for a few years but the idea to use them like watercolor is great! I use them for my bible art journaling bible (very thin paper) and create backgrounds with baby wipes, that works very nicely, even on thin paper. Your tutorials are a great inspiration, thank you!!!
Thank you. Loved the video. I have a travel pouch/bag with Neocolor 2 crayons. I added additional colors to the 15 set. In my bag, I have waterbrushes. They work well with them. I also have pieces cut from a poly file folder. It has a rough surface that works well for a palette. I also have a few drawing materials and some watercolor postcards. Looking forward to seeing your future videos with this medium.
Exactly what I have done! Because of Emma I ordered the 15 set and switched a few colours I liked more. Together with an A6 cold pressed sketchbook and a waterbrush it makes the perfect little on the go set. I go on holiday in a few days and I can't wait to use them in Italy.
Based on watching this amazing video, I bought the Caran d’Ache palette…..omg, it’s a game changer! Thank you so much for sharing tips and tricks for using Cd wax pastel crayons!
The use of sharpen is a waste of material is my opinion, I never do that... so many years I paint with Neocolor II . I wet the point of Pastel and solve gently in my pan palette, so than I use the brush on my sheet of paper,( in my project) is the own brush what have the quantity of tint, let brushstroke express the use as if was a Watercolor painting. This that I descrive is just a technique. I made so many paintings and beautiful landscapes.
Thanks for the demo! Just learned about these and wondered how they work, what they’re like, etc. In Canada, you can currently order multiple sizes of sets from OPUS Art Supplies in BC. The 84 pc set is over $300 CAD. There’s also a wooden box premium set of 84 for an eye-watering $600+ CAD. 😅 They also sell singles, so I think I’ll pick up a few in-store just to give them a whirl. Always love trying out new supplies, even if they don’t make it into my regular routine.
Wow! The thing I noticed most, is the palette you used! It is for a left handed person. The writing is the right side I would assume and yet the thumb hole is in the right. Do you know how difficult it is to find holes on the right? There is a closing watercolor palette I like for plein air and the hole is on the left so I have to mix upside down. You might think, so what turn it around. But in a closing palette the lip or wall of the wells are upside down then and you have to mix backward which is very awkward and not good for bristles.
I love these crayons so much, I have about 20 caran dache that i hand picked from jacksons, and I have a set of 24 lyra crayon. The lyra crayons I got half off and they are so close to the quality of caran dache, but if not on sale just get the caran dache the price isn't much different. And they are wonderful.
Loved the video! I've found the best way to remove residual color from the Caran D'Ache palette is to rub it lightly with a wet melamine sponge (e.g. Mr. Clean sponge.) I got the set of 84 last year but now I feel braver about using them.
I have the small tin. I like using the colours but seem to use my regular watercolour paints. Thank you so much for showing their ranges. I will certainly try to use my Neo colours more.
Hullo Emma, this is a wonderful instructional and example video for these crayons! If your not going to use 100% cotton paper you might consider multi media papers, my favorite is the newer Bamboo paper! If you want a similar experience for less money try the Charvin brand of water soluble pastel sticks. I purchased the Caran D’Ache 10 color sets for years and finally got the 40 stick set and then purchased some colors individually from Blick’s that I thought I would need or just want! If you have friends or relatives that live in the USA they can mail your purchased supplies for much less than international shipping charges! Just an idea for those of us who simply cannot afford to pay more for shipping than for an actual product! Lovely video, thanks for sharing your ideas! Oh! I have used synthetic hair brushes and they last much longer than natural hair brushes! 😊
I am obsessed with these atm. I’m in the UK and have a few art shops local to me that sell them individually but for now I have the pack that you used in the video and love them.
I’m in the USA and my local art store also sells them individually! I got the small 10 tin set and have buying them individually for $2 USD so I can pick and choose which ones to add
I like "canson mi teintes" paper for this. But only for wet on dry. It will buckle if it get to wet. You could work on both sides. Smoot or rouge as you like.
Surprisingly, I’ve found that Karin Decobrush Pigment works really well with the neocolor II. You can get some really interesting effects. I use a combo of inktense, neocolor II, and the decobrush pigment.
Midoco has the 30 pack and Above Ground Art Supplies carries the 40 pack and also sells open stock singles. I order my singles from Jackson's in the UK. The prices are amazing and as long as you don't order the sets (because they have to be shipped flat) the shipping costs are really reasonable as is the price per unit ($2.19 per unit) I just make sure every order is under $20 or you have to pay a charge at customs. I haven't seen the 84 pack at any of our art stores though.
Second Tip: these are sold individually too (my local art store sells them each for $2) so you can buy the small set to test then buy individual colors.
Would these work in conjunction with watercolor pencils? I have a few Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer water color pencils and was wondering if they would work together. Thank you for the video. These look like fun. I'm new to art but these have a bit of a nostalgic draw to me. I used to love crayons.
I would say that they would. I’ve used the Neocolor II as well as the Albrecht Dürer with watercolours and they’re great! So I can only imagine the two would work together.
TIP: The stickers are to label the tins (I have many caran d’Ache products) but I love how you put all of them on the small tin including the gouache tube sticker lol
The shavings would be great to create your own colors. But Caran D’ Ache is hella hella expensive and I’m in the US another place to order then signally is Jerry’s Artarama which is also a great great store. But now can i suggest a pallet to use next? QOR!! Please remember the name bc other then Caran D.. it’s second to none! Just as good and almost as pricey believe you me when I say that.. lol Ty amazing video.
So you dont need the fancy pallette to get the same result, just press the crayon onto any pallette, it will come off just the same. You can use these crayons on many surfaces.
