Conté

Photo of a drawing of a face and two hands — Page from a sketchbook using black Conté

Conté (French pronunciation:

cost-effective to produce, and easy to manufacture in controlled grades of hardness

They are now manufactured using natural

kaolin), and a binder (cellulose ether).^[1]

Conté crayons are most commonly found in black, white, and sanguine tones, as well as bistre, shades of grey, and other colors.

Colors sets are especially useful for field studies and color studies. Some artists create entire paintings with them, using them more like pastels than like a drawing medium. They are also used often to sketch under pastel paintings or lay down initial layers before using dry pastels. Colors can be layered to produce different hues or values. Color Conté mixes better on paper than many hard pastel products.

They are frequently used on rough paper that holds pigment grains well. They can also be used on prepared primed

painterly drawing style demanded by soft pastels

.