Caran d'Ache Art Supplies Extended: Swiss Precision in Professional Drawing Materials Since 1915

Caran d'Ache is one of the most respected and celebrated manufacturers of professional drawing materials in the world, producing coloured pencils, watercolour pencils, and pastels from its facility in Geneva, Switzerland since 1915. The company's most celebrated products are the Luminance 6901 and Pablo coloured pencil ranges, which are widely regarded as among the finest professional coloured pencils available anywhere, alongside the Museum Aquarelle watercolour pencils that represent the pinnacle of the watercolour pencil category.

The company's Swiss heritage is reflected in the precision and quality of its products, with a commitment to manufacturing excellence that has made Caran d'Ache one of the most trusted and respected art materials brands in the world. The Swiss manufacturing tradition of precision and quality is evident in every aspect of the Caran d'Ache product range, from the specific consistency of the pencil cores through the specific quality of the wood casings.

The Luminance 6901 Coloured Pencils

The Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 coloured pencils are widely regarded as the finest professional coloured pencils available, with a reputation for exceptional lightfastness, colour intensity, and a smooth, creamy consistency that is genuinely unlike any other coloured pencil on the market. The range covers 100 colours, each formulated with the highest quality pigments and an oil-based binder that produces a specific handling quality that many professional coloured pencil artists find superior to all alternatives.

The lightfastness of the Luminance 6901 pencils is one of their most important and distinctive characteristics, with all colours rated at the highest lightfastness levels. The Luminance name reflects the company's commitment to producing colours that maintain their luminosity over time, and the exceptional lightfastness of the range makes it the preferred choice for professional artists who need materials that will remain stable for generations.

The colour intensity of the Luminance 6901 pencils is another celebrated characteristic, with colours that are significantly more saturated and intense than those of most competing professional coloured pencils. This colour intensity is particularly valuable for artists who work with layering techniques, where the ability to build up rich, saturated colour through multiple layers is one of the most important practical requirements.

The smooth laydown of the Luminance 6901 pencils is another important characteristic, with a consistency that allows the pigment to be applied smoothly and evenly without the graininess that can affect some coloured pencils. The smooth laydown is particularly valuable for artists who work with blending techniques, where a smooth, even application of pigment is essential for achieving seamless colour transitions.

The Pablo Coloured Pencils

The Caran d'Ache Pablo coloured pencils are the company's more accessible professional range, offering a high-quality coloured pencil experience at a price point that is somewhat lower than the Luminance 6901. The Pablo range covers 120 colours, each formulated with high-quality pigments and a wax-based binder that produces a smooth, creamy consistency that is well-suited to the layering and blending techniques used in professional coloured pencil work.

The wax-based binder of the Pablo pencils distinguishes them from the oil-based Luminance 6901 pencils, producing a slightly different handling quality that many artists prefer for specific applications. The wax-based binder produces a slightly softer consistency that is well-suited to blending techniques, and it produces a characteristic waxy sheen when applied heavily that some artists find appealing.

The colour range of the Pablo pencils is one of the most comprehensive available from any professional coloured pencil manufacturer, covering the full spectrum of colours with multiple values of each hue. The range includes a comprehensive selection of earth tones, neutrals, and greys alongside the more saturated colours, providing the full range of colours that professional coloured pencil artists need.

The Museum Aquarelle Watercolour Pencils

The Caran d'Ache Museum Aquarelle watercolour pencils are widely regarded as the finest watercolour pencils available, with a reputation for exceptional water solubility, colour intensity, and lightfastness that has made them the choice of professional watercolour pencil artists worldwide. The range covers 76 colours, each formulated with high-quality pigments and a water-soluble binder that produces a smooth, creamy consistency that is well-suited to both dry and wet watercolour pencil techniques.

The water solubility of the Museum Aquarelle pencils is one of their most important characteristics, with the pigment dissolving easily and completely when water is applied, producing clean, transparent washes that are characteristic of the best professional watercolours. The water solubility is one of the most important practical characteristics of the range for artists who want to use watercolour pencils to create paintings with the specific qualities of traditional watercolour.

The lightfastness of the Museum Aquarelle pencils is exceptional, with all colours rated at the highest lightfastness levels. The Museum name reflects the company's commitment to producing colours that are suitable for museum-quality work, and the exceptional lightfastness of the range makes it the preferred choice for professional artists who need materials that will remain stable for generations.

The Swiss Manufacturing

The Swiss manufacturing is one of the most important aspects of Caran d'Ache's identity, reflecting the company's commitment to producing its materials in Switzerland and to maintaining the specific quality standards that have made the brand so highly regarded. The Swiss manufacturing allows the company to maintain close control over the quality of its products and to ensure the specific consistency and precision that characterise the Caran d'Ache range.

The Swiss manufacturing tradition of precision and quality is evident in every aspect of the Caran d'Ache product range, from the specific consistency of the pencil cores through the specific quality of the wood casings. The company uses Swiss cedar wood for its pencil casings, which is known for its specific properties including its straight grain, its ease of sharpening, and its resistance to warping.

The Global Distribution

Caran d'Ache products are distributed globally through specialist art supply retailers in dozens of countries, making them one of the most widely available professional drawing material brands in the world. The global distribution reflects the company's extraordinary reputation among professional artists worldwide and the genuine demand for its products in every major art market.

The Bottom Line

Caran d'Ache produces some of the finest coloured pencils, watercolour pencils, and pastels in the world, with the Luminance 6901 and Pablo coloured pencil ranges and the Museum Aquarelle watercolour pencils representing the pinnacle of their respective categories. For professional coloured pencil and watercolour pencil artists who want access to the finest Swiss drawing materials, Caran d'Ache is one of the most important and prestigious manufacturers available.