On listening to that Caran d’Ache was increasing their already in depth line of fantastic merchandise with some new pastels, I used to be very excited! I’m a giant fan of Caran d’Ache and their merchandise – significantly their Luminance color pencils, Neocolor II watersoluble wax pastels, and Neopastel oil pastels. I used to be intrigued to see how the Caran d’Ache Neoart 6901 oil pastels would examine to each, and the way they might work as a part of a mixed-media follow.
Assessment of Caran d’Ache Neoart 6901 Oil Pastels
Wonderful Lightfastness Score
The massive plus to those new Caran d’Ache Neoart 6901 oil pastels is that they’re the primary wax and oil pastels to fulfill ASTM D-6901 requirements, making certain distinctive lightfastness for as much as 100 years.
Examined within the Arizona desert, the vary of 48 colors provides superior lightfastness, with 34 LFI (finest lightfastness) and 14 LFII (excellent lightfastness) scores. That includes 75% single pigment or bi-pigment formulations, Neoart 6901 units a brand new benchmark in pastel efficiency.
I examined the set of 12 assorted colors, which features a number of important colors to get began, together with six single-pigment colors. 9 of the colors are LFI-rated, and three are LFII.
Bodily Qualities of the Caran d’Ache Neoart Oil Pastels
The pastels have an uncommon however very pleasing octagonal form for simple dealing with. The Neoart oil pastels are geared toward professionals, artwork college students, and passionate creatives. They’ve a gentle texture, and a silky look. The pigment focus feels very excessive – the color lays down flat and simply on first use. They’ve the softness of a wax pastel, like Neocolor II, however with a barely richer color payoff just like the Neopastel.
This set is available in a wise cardboard storage field containing the next colors: White, Black, Brown Ochre, Everlasting Purple, Russet, Manganese Violet, Ultramarine, Lemon Yellow, Purplish Purple, Spring Inexperienced, Chrysocolla Blue, and Darkish Phthalocyanine Inexperienced.

Caran d’Ache Neoart 6901 Oil Pastels on Jackson’s Watercolour Block 300 gsm Sizzling Press Pure White
I examined the Neoart pastels on each Jackson’s Watercolour Block 300 gsm Sizzling Press Pure White, and Jackson’s Watercolour Block 300 gsm Chilly Pressed (not) Pure White. They laid down simply on each forms of paper as you’ll be able to see from my swatches, exhibiting the feel somewhat extra on the chilly pressed paper as is to be anticipated.
Though Caran d’Ache states that the pastels don’t crumble beneath stress, you do get slight flecks of product coming off when utilizing – extra so when utilizing on the chilly pressed paper on account of its rougher floor.

Caran d’Ache Neoart 6901 Oil Pastels on Jackson’s Watercolour Block 300 gsm Chilly Pressed (not) Pure White
Evaluating the Neoart Oil Pastel to the Watersoluble Neocolor II and the Wax-Based mostly Neopastel
Compared to Neocolor II, they really feel fairly related, extra so than in comparison with the Neopastel. They sit properly on the web page, and they don’t smudge if you happen to rub your finger over immediately, in contrast to the Neopastel which smudges simply. They usually go over each other very properly, even white covers all the colors as you’ll be able to see from my checks.
If you lay colors excessive of one another they mix ever so barely. They’re nearer to the Neocolor II than I anticipated. Maybe on a private stage, I feel I hoped for them to take a seat nearer to the Neopastel, however I assume it’s a really private desire on the way you wish to work.
Utilizing the Pencil Mixing Medium
Utilizing Jackson’s Pencil Mixing Medium, I examined the Neoart pastels individually on the recent pressed paper. They mix properly, feeling and giving the feel of an alcohol marker when thinned down.
I then examined each extra freely on each forms of papers to see how the colors would combine. They appeared to work higher on the chilly pressed paper – not forsaking a ‘shadow’ of pigment and mixing extra fluidly.
Tips on how to Use Caran d’Ache Neoart 6901 Oil Pastels in a Sketchbook or on the Go
The sticks are strong and are solely 68 mm in size so very simple to tackle the go. They don’t appear to be as probably messy as an oil pastel product by way of rubbing in opposition to different colors or melting within the warmth. I feel they might work very properly on location, or in a sketchbook when out of the studio. I might be taking a couple of colors with me so as to add to my pencil case. The small field with foam insert is useful to retailer them, however I don’t really feel it’s essential to preserve them in there for location drawing. I’d really feel assured including them to my Neocolors II in a small tin or pencil case.
Combined Media Strategies with Caran d’Ache Neoart 6901 Oil Pastels
I’ve examined them fairly a bit with completely different media on each forms of paper. I don’t wish to observe strict guidelines by way of how I take advantage of my media – I get pleasure from utilizing a resist approach for instance, by utilizing paint over a waxy materials. On this case, you’ll be able to see once I’ve utilized a Pentel Pigment Brush Pen and a few Holbein Acrylic Gouache paint over the Neoart pastels to create a resist and provides an attention-grabbing texture.
The Neocolor II and Neopastel work properly when layered over and beneath the Neoart pastels. Colored pencils carry out equally over them as they do over Neocolor IIs. Some colors (the darker ones) work higher and it’s a must to apply fairly a little bit of stress to see the pencil color.
I’ve additionally proven how properly the colors match to Luminance pencils I already personal. I anticipated nothing much less from the Caran d’Ache vary, to be sincere, however it’s beautiful to see what an excellent match their pigments are, Particularly because it’s onerous to decide on colors from laptop display screen swatches. When you personal some Luminance pencils, you would swatch these and ensure of ordering the proper color within the Neoart pastels because the pigments are precisely the identical. Or in case you have a selected favorite Luminance pencil, you would check out a brand new materials in the identical acquainted shade.
When you already personal and benefit from the Neocolor II, I’m assured you’ll love these. If, nonetheless, you favor a a lot softer, extra buttery really feel of a Neopastel, then I feel these might be an excessive amount of on the facet of clean and waxy for you.
They do have an excellent vary of colors – rather a lot matching instantly your favorite colors from the Luminance vary. I like to purchase supplies like this individually, so though the packing containers are useful and work out a greater worth per pastel, I nonetheless favor the liberty of curating my very own palette. When you already personal some Neocolor II pastels, then with the ability to add some paler, extra muted colors to your palette, I feel is welcome.
Additional Studying
Assessment of Caran d’Ache Artist Neopastels for Drawing and Portray
Two Artists Check Jackson’s Curated Units for Sketching and Oil Portray
Assessment of Jackson’s Pencil Mixing Medium
Store Caran d’Ache Neoart 6901 Oil Pastel Units on jacksonsart.com