Introduction to Caran d’Ache Supracolor Soft Aquarelle’s 101
Consistent is the word. Caran d’Ache makes excellent pencils, there is no doubt about that. Their line of watercolors, the Supracolor Soft Aquarelle pencils are nothing short of artistic royalty.
Designed in a hexagonal barrel and equipped with a thick water-soluble core, these are premium level professional watercolor pencils. Like all Caran d’Ache products, they are considered the best of the best.
As opposed to their colored pencil line, their watercolors come in more varied sets, including 12, 18, 30, 40, 80, 120, and 160 count packs.
Each pencil is made with a thick (3.7 mm) water-soluble core encased in a hexagonal California Cedar casing and sold in hinge-lid tins. They are also sold individually and any set with a count of 80 or more come in an elegant wooden box.
These are water color pencils, which means that they may be used wet or dry, and in true Caran d’Ache fashion, both uses produce masterpiece-worthy pieces.
What They’re Good For
Watercolor pencils produce watercolor paintings and even a proper watercolor paint set is hard pressed to surpass the quality of Caran d’Ache’s Supracolor Aquarelles.
While the pencils produce intense colors used dry, add water as intended and watch your strokes transform into silky lines of brilliant velvety color.
Watercolor paint is notorious for leaving a transparent finish and while some prefer watercolors for this very reason, Supracolor Aquarelles have excellent coverage, leaving a matte, opaque finish.
Ratings Breakdown
Caran d’Ache is known for producing world class, professional pencils, each line as excellent as the next. Their watercolor pencil line manages to surpass its rivals because of its coverage, color brilliance, and high lightfast rating.
Lightfastness 5/5
All Caran d’Ache colored pencils have some of the highest lightfastness ratings in the industry; their Supracolor Aquarelle watercolor pencils are no exception- and this is for a water soluble pigment.
Sturdiness/Durability 5/5
All physical components of this pencil contribute to its unparalleled sturdiness and durability. Everything from its hexagonal shaped California Cedar casing to its thick, water-soluble core are designed to make a normally fragile substance withstand time and damage.
Binder/Quality 5/5
Caran d’Ache Supracolor Aquarelles are made with pure, finely ground water-soluble pigment, the ratios of which produce a rich, velvety color with a high coverage finish. The lead is also set into the casing with a secure all finish to prevent shattering.
Color Intensity 5/5
Water soluble colored pencils tend to be transparent or wash off easily. This is the opposite of a Caran d’Ache pencil- these pencils leave bright pigment whether they are applied dry or wet. Easy to blend, the finish is much more opaque than other watercolors. This might be something to take into consideration if you’re looking for a more “water color” look.
Value 5/5
If you’re browsing Caran d’Ache pencils, you should expect the slight flinch a glance at the price tag provokes. These pencils are not cheap, but artists swear by their worth. That being said, since they come in a variety of count sets, they are not totally inaccessible for someone on a tight budget.
Final Verdict
Like their entire line of colored pencils, Caran d’Ache does not disappoint with its watercolors. Artists rejoiced the day the company produced what many consider the most excellent water color pencils on the market.