Conté à Paris Sketching Pencil - Sanguine/Sepia (Pack of 2), White

Good quality.

I have recently bought these beauties as well the Generals Charcoals and their carbon pencil. I also had tried staedler and derwent in the past. Let me tell you, the Conte a Paris are by far the best overall. They are not exactly charcoal (this is black stone type used in renaissance too), but the darkness of that black colour they produce is super dark and there isn't much smear. Also, due to their increased girth they last longer and feel more sturdy. Generals are very dark too but they can feel as soft but in a different way since they are more dusty. Contes a Paris feel more velvety if that makes sense. Finally, although Generals are really good the pencil's wood case seem pretty mediocre whereas the Conte a Paris have a nice glossy finish and the wood seems more dense. I think depending on what one can create it would be beneficial to have both as the end result differs a bit. Generals with pure charcoal, blend a bit better and feel more dusty to use and have quite the smear and they are consumed a bit fast, Conte a Paris are less blendable but that means dont need as much fixative for final projects, they are more velvety when used, last longer and feel more sturdy and secure in the hand.

The round-barrelled pencil is around 17.5 cm in length and is ready to use on arrival, with a good ‘point’. The shiny black finish is contrasted with a silver grey. The bar code is lightly embossed, so there is no sticky residue from a label.Great to be able to buy singly (and at a discount at the time of order), the one I received came in a little bubble-wrap jacket and sturdy cardboard outer.I manage to successfully maintain it with the larger hole on a good quality sharpener, despite the raised eyebrows of those way more professional in such art!Slightly 'gritty' in use, it is easy to smudge, as required.~ Conté à Paris (France)~ Pierre Noire~ 1710

Get excellent darks with these.

What more can I say. Does the job, good service.

.. as you’d expect from the manufacturer. I’ve come up with the idea of finding out where their main shop is in Paris and going there as part of a getaway week. To browse around art gear like this is simply sublime.The pencils are lightweight and all the easier to use for it. Sketching & Shading become a blissful & joyous thing. The lightness & ease of use truly assist the creative process.Buy them, buy plenty of them & create like maybe never before!

These pencils don’t like pencil sharpeners, they are excellent quality and the softer pencils are naturally soft.I use a craft knife and sandpaper lightly and have never had an issue (other than the time I tried to use a sharpener).Treat them gentle and you won’t be disappointed with the results.

Be wary to find a suitable sharpener for these pencils, if you’re using a regular sharpener you’d be wasting time and the pencil will be gone.Be prepared before you order.