Pure, powerful, shimmering: Caran d'Ache coloured pencils are a benchmark in the world of fine art. The reason? Our exceptional pigments are enhanced by the unique expertise of Swiss artisans. Available in over 120 shades, Caran d'Ache coloured pencils are a source of inspiration for artists young and old.
In 1931, Caran d'Ache invented Prismalo, the first water-soluble dry lead pencil. Since then, our coloured pencils have been used by generations of artists and schoolchildren. Among them are talented artists such as Heather Rooney and Nina Cosford, who use Caran d'Ache pencils for illustrating, colouring and watercolour. These top-of-the-range drawing tools are renowned for their long-lasting leads, high coverage, intense luminosity and wide range of colours.

A variety of coloured pencils appropriate for each project

For sharp, precise lines or watercolour washes, Caran d'Ache coloured pencils have leads that range from hard to soft or even creamy, depending on the range, and vary in diameter from 2.8 to 4.7 mm. The pencils' smooth bodies are coated in a water-based varnish.
Our coloured pencils are divided into various ranges to meet the needs of top illustrators and budding artists alike. The Expert range is for creative professionals. The Classic range for multi-talents. And the Discover range for novice creatives who want to improve their skills.
There is bound to be a Caran d'Ache coloured pencil to brighten up your illustrations.

The Discover range

In the Discover range, the Swisscolor watercolour pencils have been specially designed for the hobbyist or beginner drawing and colouring enthusiast. Children and adults alike will be delighted by the 40 bright shades in soft watercolour lead. Swisscolor pencils are certified Swiss Made.

The Classic range

With the widest range of colours (up to 120 shades), Supracolor™ Aquarelle](https://www.carandache.com/ch/en/supracolor-aquarelle-s-1103.htm?)) pencils offer both amateur and experienced artists the chance to explore different techniques. With the option of dry or watercolour use, Supracolor is the most versatile of coloured pencils.
Iconic and world-renowned, the Prismalo™ Aquarelle range will delight children and budding artists. This 2-in-1 Swiss pencil can be used for both watercolour and dry techniques on paper.
Among our water-resistant pencils, the Pablo™ coloured pencils have a soft, dry lead with excellent coverage.

The Expert range

Drawing holds no secrets for you? For those who want to go even further, Caran d'Ache has created the Museum Aquarelle range: fine watercolour pencils for watercolourists on the move.
With the Luminance 6901™ range, discover a smooth, permanent lead combined with the strongest lightfastness. To find the perfect formula, the Luminance colours were tested for 400 hours under the Arizona desert sun.
Need to do a bit more research before deciding what pencils are right for you? Read more about how to choose a set of coloured pencils.

Swiss Made wooden pencils

All Caran d'Ache coloured pencils carry the Swiss Made label, a guarantee of excellence. For over 100 years in the workshops of Geneva, they have been manufactured from carefully selected materials:
- leads mixed from over 100 pure pigments, and
- wood casings made from premium California cedar wood sourced from sustainably managed and FSC-certified forests.

A coloured pencil combining innovation and excellence

It was a real revolution when Caran d'Ache created the first water-soluble watercolour pencil in 1931. Now, offering up to 120 shades, the Pablo™ and Supracolor™ Aquarelle ranges are among the most extensive on the market. The Luminance 6901™ range is the only one to feature 81 colours classified as Lightfastness I,* an exceptional rating.
- At the request of the Coloured Pencil Society of America, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D-6901) developed this classification to determine the level of lightfastness of coloured pencils.
Use your coloured pencils to their best advantage with premium accessories: a set of reservoir brushes for watercolour and a pencil sharpener or our timeless sharpening machine. These products will easily find their place in your everyday life.