Creating Art Using "Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels"

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Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels by Caran D'Ache of Switzerland

The excellent lightfastness, high-quality pigments, and adaptability to numerous techniques make Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels a creative medium for all artists, including colored pencils artists, fiber artists, illustrators, and graphic artists.

This lens shares my discoveries and techniques in using Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels in my colored pencil art, fiber art, and mixed media paintings, and includes links to other artists who share their techniques using this medium. 

Notes:
1.  Copyright belongs to the authors of images and/or text in all of the links posted herein.

2.  Caran D'Ache of Switzerland.  Link:  http://www.carandache.ch/products/fineart/detail.lbl?g=Classic&p=Neocolor%20II.

Neocolors Have Multiple Uses 

Fine Art, Fiber Art, Mixed Media Paintings

I was first introduced to Neocolors for use in colored pencil drawings. After playing with it, I discovered that Neocolors could be used on fabrics, too. Since then, I've also discovered that they are a favorite with mixed media and collage artists.

MY NEWEST NEOCOLOR ART PIECE 

Pineapple Block

This is a two-inch square pineapple block. The black and gold fabric was purchased from my local fabric store. The other fabrics were painted with Neocolors in different gradations onto white cotton. Painting your own fabrics for a quilt, especially when working small, is a fun option.

PAINT YOUR OWN FABRIC FOR A UNIQUE HANDBAG 

Three Blossoms Bag

The surfaces of this bag was painted using Neocolors.

Fiber Art 

Sing Your Song

Neocolors work great for shading faces. I especially like it because if you make a mistake, you can easily erase it with water and try again. When you like what you painted, spray your work with a fixative and let it dry. Then you're ready to add more layers.

Neocolors were also used to create an ethereal effect in her hair.

This is a painting done with acrylics and Neocolor II on cotton fabric. The fabric was prepared with a layer of clear gesso before paints and Neocolors were added. When the painting was completed, I sprayed the entire piece with a fixative. Black thread was used to thread sketch certain areas of the image and to finish the edges using zigzag stitching.

Note: The fixative I used in this piece was not designed for use on fabrics. Although there were no immediate visible negative results from the use of fixative on this piece, there may be negative results over time. Using fixative on fabric has not been tested.

Mixed Media Painting 

Journey

Here is another example of using Neocolors for shading a face. This is a mixed media painting on canvas. Neocolors were also used in her eyes and hair.

Fiber Art 

Three Blossoms Art Quilt

This is a 6" x 6" fiber art quilt which was painted with Neocolors and thread sketched with black embroidery thread. The background was stipple quilted using ivory embroidery thread.

Fiber Art 

Art Quilt

Sunflower Art Quilt, (7" x 7")

Creating Art Using Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels--Work-in-Progress Lens 

This lens is a work in progress. New information, images and links are added on a regular basis.

This lens was originally created to document my discoveries and techniques using this medium. Now that I've had some time to "play" with this medium, I feel better equipped to create a tutorial. The link is provided below. See "Leaf" art quilt tutorial.

I would also like to add more links to this lens. If you use Neocolors in your artwork and would like to contribute links or share your discoveries in this medium, including likes and dislikes, successes and failures, please contact me.

Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels 

Product Information

Links to general product information.
Imagine, Create, Inspire: Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels
An article I published on my blog which identifies the crayon colors that are included in the following sets of Neocolor II: Set of 10, Set of 15, Set of 30, Set of 40, Set of 84 and Gift Set of 126.
Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels 8-page Color Brochure
This is a link to an 8-page color brochure published by Caran d'Ache. It includes a list of the colors in the different sets.

Note: Adobe Reader is required to view this pdf (portable document format) file.
Download Adobe Reader
This is a link to a free download of Adobe Reader.

Fiber Art 

Pansy ATC (Artist Trading Card)

Pansy, (2.5" x 3.5")

What is an ATC?

ATCs, (Artist Trading Cards), are miniature works of art done in any media, and is 2.5" x 3.5" in size. ATCs are usually traded rather than sold. Artists may trade ATC's in face-to-face trading sessions, but it is more commonly organized and exchanged through the Internet and subsequently mailed to the artists.

 

Links providing more information about ATCs
The History of ATCs
Art Cards or miniatures were the rage in the 16th Century.
ATCs For All
An Artist Trading Card (ATC) community forum which focuses on friendly ATC trading and swapping in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Mixed Media Art 

"Solitude"

"Solitude," Mixed Media Painting on Canvas, 8" x 8"

Many mixed media artists use Neocolors to shade their portraits or add depth to their paintings. I've used them successfully in this mixed media painting titled "Solitude."

Collage 

Possibilities--Three Blossoms

A 6" x 6" fiber art quilt from my Three Blossoms art quilt series is secured to a board. The quilt was painted using Neocolors.

Fiber Art 

Painted Yarn

"When I Grow Up," Bamboo Yarn Postcard, 4" x 6"

Neocolors can also be used to stain yarn fibers. The background of this postcard was made using Neocolors to paint yarn fibers, which were then sandwiched between thin layers of angelina fibers, and heat set before being stitched to the cotton surface.

TUTORIAL 

BEFORE--"Leaf" Art Quilt

This a photograph of the first step in making this "Leaf" art quilt.

After tracing a 7" x 7" square onto a piece of 8" x 8" white muslin using a water soluble marker, I applied the pastels onto the muslin. The pastels were applied freely and without much thought.

It looks raw, doesn't it? At this stage, this painting doesn't look like it will transform into anything pretty.

 

AFTER--"Leaf" Art Quilt

This is a photograph of the completed "Leaf" art quilt.

What do you think? The magic of blending the pastels with water changes the image dramatically.

See the amazing evolution of this "Leaf" art quilt in my step-by-step tutorial.

 

TUTORIAL
"Leaf" Art Quilt Tutorial. This tutorial documents my steps in creating this "Leaf" art quilt using Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels.

Neocolor II Fiber Art Links 

If you want to see all of my fiber art using Neocolor II, use the following link.
My Fiber Art Using Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels
This is a link to my blog which shows images and descriptions of all of my fiber art which was created using Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels.

Neocolor II Fiber Art Links 

My Fiber Art Blog Posts

These links will direct you to specific blog posts, which demonstrate the use of Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels as watercolor paints on fabric.
TUTORIAL
This tutorial documents my steps in creating an art quilt titled "Leaf" using Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels.
Neocolor II Fiber Art Blog Posts
This is a link to my blog which shows images and descriptions of all of my fiber art which was created using Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels.
Double Hearts, Fabric Postcard
This is my first experiment using Neocolor II on fabric. This post explains my process and technique.
Sunflower--Art Quilt
This post illustrates an 8" x 10" Sunflower art quilt using Neocolor II and explains my technique.
Buttons--Inchies
An example of another type of fiber art--Inchies--using Neocolor II.
Pink Crochet Flowers--Inchies
An example of Inchies using Neocolor II and table salt.
Hand Painted Fabrics
A post showing several painted fabric samples, the brush I use to blend the colors with water, and an explanation of using salt over the wet paint.
Pumpkin Art Quilt
This post illustrates an 8" x 10" Pumpkin Art Quilt and explains my technique.
Water Lily--Pretending Monet
This is a watercolor painting of a water lily on muslin using Neocolor II watersoluble wax pastels from Caran d'Ache. Free motion quilting using black thread makes the art quilt look as though it is an ink and watercolor piece.

Fiber Art 

Inchie

What is an Inchie?

An Inchie is a miniature art piece which is one-inch square and can be made from any media including paper, metal, and fabric. A Plus-Size Inchie (PSI) is a larger size Inchie which is 1.5 inch square.

Inchies have many uses. They can be used as embellishments on larger projects, to create mosaic artworks, and to create jewelry.

This Inchie is one-inch square and is embellished with "twelve" buttons.

 

My Blog's "Inchies" Posts

Black and Gold Inchies
Black and Gold Inchies embellished with beads.
Buttons and Charms Inchies
Ivory and Gold Inchies embellished with buttons and charms.
Ribbon Roses Inchies
Ivory and Gold Inchies embellished with embroidered ribbon roses and pearls.

 

(Chocolate Covered Donut, Pastelbord, Colored Pencils, Neocolor II, 6" x 6")

This is an example of the details one can achieve with the combination of Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels and colored pencils.

Colored Pencil Art 

Two Pears is my first artwork using Neocolors, which is based on a demo by Ranjini

(Two Pears, Colored Pencils, Neocolor II, 6" x 6")

Knowing what Neocolors to use for the underpainting seems like the most challenging part of this technique. I learned the proper pressure needed for burnishing with the bristle brush by working on this piece. The speed factor is great.

Thanks to Ranjini for introducing me to Neocolors!

Colored Pencil Art 

by Ranjini

Ranjini is an accomplished colored pencil artist who uses Neocolors in all of her artwork. She is the reason I purchased my first set of Neocolors. Her work is excellent. Enjoy the following links to her fine art.
Ranjini's Blog--Colored Pencil Diary
Visit Ranjini's blog and see her fine art. She uses Neocolors in all her work.
The Usual Suspects
Ranjini shows the steps in creating a beautiful still life of four pears using Neocolors and colored pencils.
Rembrandt's Pears
Ranjini created this piece for one of her shows.
Tiger Cub
A large colored pencil piece, 31 x 24, using Neocolor II.
Still Life
Apples on a table, 8 x 10, an exhibit piece.

OTHER NEOCOLOR II ARTISTS 

Neocolor II can be used in a variety of art forms

Samples of artwork using Neocolor II in colored pencils, fiber art, mixed media and paper.
Colored Pencils--Ester Roi - Fine Art
Ester Roi - Award winning artist, specializing in realistic colored pencil drawings that resemble oil paintings.
Colored Pencils--Cyndy Haase--Peach
A still life piece, "Peach," by Cindy Haase using Neocolor II and colored pencils.
Colored Pencils--Cindy Haase--Hot Rocks
A demo of a 5" x 7" still life piece by Cindy Haase using Neocolor II and colored pencils on pastelboard.
Colored Pencils--Ranjini--Grapes & Silver
A still life piece, "Grapes & Silver," by Ranjini using Neocolor II and colored pencils.
Fiber Art--Heidi Miracle-McMahill
A link to all of Heidi's Neocolor II artwork. Most of these links are fiber art.
Fiber Art--Holly Knott - Nature Inspired Art Quilts
Center panel is one piece of fabric, painted with Caran D'Ache Neocolor II watercolor crayons and heatset. Machine pieced borders & free-motion quilted with ...
Fiber Art--Patricia Cox--Daylilies
Orange Daylilies fiber art.
Fiber Art--Sande
12x12" Whole cloth quilt, artwork done with Neocolor II sticks, quilted with 30 wt. rayon. Batting inside and midweight pellon on the back. ...
Mixed Media--Kathy
Kathy shares her review of using Neocolors versus oil pastels in her portrait.
Mixed Media--Kathy
Kathy shares her review of Neocolors versus oil pastels in another portrait.
Review of Neocolor II on Paper--Stephanie
Stephanie reviews using Neocolors on black and white surfaces.

Reader Feedback 

Help me create a five-star lens

What kind of information would you like to see here? Do you have any questions about this medium? If I don't have the answer, I will search for one. Your questions will guide my research for this lens and will make it more valuable to all who visit. Thanks for stopping by.

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~Fannie

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  • Reply
    ImagineCreateInspire ImagineCreateInspire Apr 16, 2009 @ 6:36 am
    Hello, Catherine. Yes, I do remember you. My art has taken a different turn since we last spoke, and I'm having fun. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

    Do you use Neocolors in your paintings?

    Welcome to Squidoo.
  • Reply
    catherine_de_ryck catherine_de_ryck Apr 16, 2009 @ 2:48 am
    Hello Fannie,
    Do you remember me ? We used to discuss about Fine Arts together, a few months ago ?
    This is a great lens, very interesting. I have never tried fiber art but really appreciated your tutorial as well as other informations.
    I am a on Squidoo too and hope that we will better stay in contact now.
  • Reply
    beeobrien beeobrien Apr 23, 2008 @ 6:02 pm
    I love fiber arts. You have beautiful things here.
  • Reply
    Hi! Hi! Apr 16, 2008 @ 8:20 am
    Yes, I've painted many, many pictures using only the Neocolor II's. I'm not a realist though. My art is mostly whimsical. Check out my website and my blog and etsy shop to see my work. I teach classes on using them if you live in the Atlanta area. If you have any questions please email me.
    www.miracle-mcmahill.com
    www.crazyforcolor.blogspot.com
    www.hmiracle.etsy.com

    email: hmiracle@alum.mit.edu
  • Reply
    Claudia Claudia Mar 16, 2008 @ 8:13 pm
    WONDERFUL tutorial, thank you so much for all the work you put into it, I would have never known how to use these fab water pastels on fabric were it not for you!
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by ImagineCreateInspire

Besides my family and friends, I love creating. Anything that can be cut, painted, glued, sewn or hammered is a potential medium that could find its w... (more)

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