From renowned art brand Conté a Paris, Conté crayons are a drawing medium composed of compressed powdered graphite or charcoal mixed with a clay base, and known for their iconic square cross-section.
Available colours: Sanguine (clay), Black HB, Black 2B, White B
Invented in 1795 by Nicolas-Jacques Conté and used by iconic artists throughout history such as Georges Seurat.
Originally produced from a combination of clay and graphite in response to the shortage of graphite caused by the Napoleonic Wars (when the British naval blockade of France prevented import). Conté crayons had the advantage of being cost-effective to produce, and easy to manufacture in controlled grades of hardness.
They are now manufactured using natural pigments such as iron oxides, carbon black, titanium dioxide, clay (kaolin), and a binder (cellulose ether).
