Caran d'Ache Neopastel Extra-Fine oil pastels, set of 48

Caran d’Ache Neopastel set of 48 – soft oil pastels for drawing and mixed media

The Neopastel Extra-Fine oil pastel set of 48 by Caran d’Ache is a colour selection for drawing, sketching and mixed-media work. The round pastels have a soft, velvety texture and a matt finish. They give good coverage and can be used with the tip, the angled edge or the broad side. According to the manufacturer, they do not crumble and are water-resistant.

According to Caran d’Ache, typical uses for the set of 48 are portraits, still lifes, landscapes and abstract subjects. With 48 shades you can build up transitions without having to mix every nuance. The pastels are Swiss Made and comply with ASTM D 4236.

Working with Neopastel

The soft texture makes the pastels easy to blend. You can layer colours, smudge them with your finger and fill areas with the broad side. Use the tip for lines and details and the angled edge for shading. If you want a painterly effect, dissolve the colour with a little white spirit on a brush. The pastels are water-resistant, so water alone will not dissolve them. Because oil pastel goes on thick and opaque, it is best to lay in the light shades first and add dark accents last.

Which set to choose?

The set of 48 sits between the small starter set and the full range: it offers far more choice than the sets of 12 and 24 colours. The whole Neopastel palette comprises 96 shades and is included in full in the set of 96. The individual colour numbers help you when you want to buy replacements later.

Caran d’Ache Neopastel set of 48 product details

• Manufacturer: Caran d’Ache, art. no. 7400.348
• Set: 48 oil pastels, Neopastel Extra-Fine series
• Shape: round, 10 × 68 mm
• Texture: soft, velvety, matt finish
• Properties: opaque, water-resistant, does not crumble
• Solubility: soluble with white spirit
• Colour numbers: 001, 003, 005, 007, 009, 049, 059, 039, 249, 035, 031, 011, 231, 191, 211, 171, 161, 141, 131, 111, 101, 081, 071, 051, 015, 245, 230, 220, 225, 210, 229, 180, 160, 159, 150, 140, 120, 110, 090, 080, 065, 070, 060, 050, 030, 020, 010, 240
• Standard: ASTM D 4236, Swiss Made

You will also need: To dissolve the colour: white spirit and a brush. Paper or another support of your choice works as a drawing surface.

Warning! Hazardous respirable dust may be formed when used. Do not breathe dust.