Conte crayon

Description

A former brand name for a hard, square-shaped, colored drawing stick. Conte crayons were developed by Nicholas Jacques Conte just before the turn of the 19th century. Originally the wood-encased crayons contained graphite and clay (see Graphite pencil). Soon after other pigments, such as lamp black, sepia and chalk were added for color variations. Currently, small amounts of organic binders, such as fatty oils, are added to some Cont crayons giving them a slightly greasy feel. Cont crayons produce produce a thick dense line. They have been used for lithography and artistic drawings. Since the lines abrade and smear readily, they are often sprayed with a fixative.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Conte crayon; crayon cont (Fr.)

Additional Information

H.Stratis, "Conte Crayon" in Media & Techniques of Works of Art on Paper, New York University, 1999

Comparisons

Websites of pastel, pencil, and marker manufacturers

Websites of pastel, pencil, and marker manufacturers

Additional Images

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  Cont crayon

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  Fabricated red conte crayon

Authority

• Ralph Mayer, Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)

• Kurt Wehlte, Kurt Wehlte, The Materials and Techniques of Painting, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1975

• A Glossary of Paper Conservation Terms, Margaret Ellis (ed.), Conservation Center of the Institute of Fine Arts, New York City, 1998