Caran D'Ache create a number of different ranges of pencils, pens, fountain pens, crayons and other art and office materials. While I own a few of their beautiful pens and pencils, I am most interested in their watercolour pencils. I've written about the Museum range before - the original clutch style set that is no longer available.
Over a number of years, the Swiss has redesigned the range as traditional pencils.
 |
| Caran d'Ache Museum pencils - full range of 76 |
I was given a set of 12, as part of a generous Faculty 'goodie bag' when I taught at the last Urban Sketchers symposium in 2019, and have had a few in my sketching kit to explore. These are terrific watercolour pencils, and though the most expensive range as far as I am aware, they deserve a full post. The colours are often unique so many might be useful to add to other collections.
I bought the rest of the range as single pencils and have placed them all in a 96 slot Global pencil case (affiliate link) for easy storage and transporting. They are also available in many beautiful boxed sets. You can see them at Jacksonsart.com (affiliate links) or on the Caran d'Ache website.
 |
| Caran d'Ache set of 12 Museum Pencils |
I've drawn these swatches up on 300gsm hot pressed paper, as many people use smooth paper for pencil. I've coloured each swatch from darker to lighter, and added water to the right-hand-side, then drawn back into the wet wash with the pencil to show the wet pencil strength.
 |
| Caran d'Ache Museum pencils - White, Primrose, Naples Ochre, Lemon Yellow, Yellow, Golden Yellow |
 |
Caran d'Ache Museum pencils - Golden Cadmium Yellow (Hue), Orange, Cornelian, Vermilion, Light Cadmium Red (hue), Scarlet. |
 |
Caran d'Ache Museum pencils- Anthraquinoid Pink, Crimson Aubergine, Carmine Lake, Violet Pink, Dark Plum, Purplish Red. |
 |
Caran d'Ache Museum pencils - Manganese Violet, Periwinkle Blue, Violet, Ultramarine Violet, Light Cobalt Blue, Genuine Cobalt Blue. |
 |
Caran d'Ache Museum pencils - Middle Cobalt Blue, Dark Ultramarine, Night Blue, Prussian Blue, Light Blue, Phthalocyanine Blue |
 |
Caran d'Ache Museum pencils - Permanent Blue, Ice Blue, Turquoise Blue, Light Malachite Green, Cobalt Green, Chromium Oxide Green |
 |
Caran d'Ache Museum pencils - Moss Green, Dark Phthalocyanine Green, Olive, Light Olive, Green Ochre, Olive Yellow. |
 |
Caran d'Ache Museum pencils - Spring Green, Bright Green, Grass Green, Emerald Green, Beryl Green, Phthalcyanine Green. |
 |
Caran d'Ache Museum pencils - Dark Sap Green, Brown Olive 50%, Olive Brown, Brown Ochre, Raw Sienna, Yellow Ochre. |
 |
Caran d'Ache Museum pencils - Genuine Umber (discontinued), Umber (current version), Saffron, Light Flesh 10%, Apricot, Cinnamon. |
 |
Caran d'Ache Museum pencils - Burnt Ochre, Brown, Terracotta, Russett, Burnt Sienna 50%, Chestnut. |
 |
| Caran d'Ache Museum pencils - Raw Umber, Cassel Earth, Dark Flesh 50%, French Grey, Sepia 50%, Sepia 10% |
 |
| Caran d'Ache Museum pencils - Steel Grey, Payne's Grey, Slate Grey, Ivory Black, Black. |