Drawing Supplies and Working with Conte Crayons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSeePOdMOHs

Conte Crayon Drawings

Invented by the Frenchman Nicolas-Jacques Conte, the same man who invented the modern lead pencil in the 18th century, conte crayons - a popular medium for sketching and more formal drawing - are made from pigment and graphite held together with a gum binder and grease. Resembling pastels in appearance and consistency, they are slightly harder and more oily. Conte crayon comes in square sticks and pencils.
Colour Palette
Conte crayons produce a similar effect to charcoal, except that - being harder - they can create finer lines as well as shading and broad tonal areas. They come in a wide variety of colours and shades, although many conte artists still prefer to stick to the traditional palette, combining black,white and grey with the earthy pigments - sepia, sanguine red and brown. (White crayons are often used to create highlights.) These colours are ideal for nude drawings and portraits, giving them an aged appearance resembling works by Leonardo, Michelangelo or Rubens.



http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/drawing/conte-crayon-drawings.htm

The above information was taken from the above website. You may want to visit this website for more information on working with conte-crayon.