Caran d’Ache Neocolor II Aquarelle Water-Soluble Wax Pastel Tin Set of 10, Assorted Colors

Just got my hands on the Caran d’Ache Neocolor II set and wow – I’m seriously impressed! These wax pastels are a game-changer, especially once you add water. The thing I love most is how versatile they are. When you activate them with water, they transform into this gorgeous watercolor-like effect, but here’s the cool part: you can still maintain some of those lovely crayon-like marks and lines if you want to.

I’ve been playing around with laying down some bold strokes first, then going in with a wet brush, and the way they dissolve is just beautiful. You get this dreamy, fluid wash, but unlike pure watercolors, you can still see some of the original texture peeking through. It’s like having the best of both worlds – the spontaneity of watercolors with the control and mark-making potential of pastels.

The set of 10 gives you a nice range to work with, and the pigments are rich – Caran d’Ache definitely didn’t skimp on quality here. The colors stay vibrant even when watered down, which isn’t always the case with water-soluble media. They also layer really well, both wet and dry. Sometimes I’ll let one layer dry, then go back in with dry pastel for details, and the effect is just chef’s kiss.

The metal tin is sturdy enough for throwing in your art bag, though I do wish they included a small water brush – but that’s just me being picky. For anyone who likes to blur the lines between drawing and painting, these are absolutely worth checking out. They’ve quickly become one of my favorite tools for sketching and mixed media work.