Why Don't Many Professional Artists Work in Crayons?

I often hear that professional artists avoid working with crayons, but that's not entirely true. While it might seem unusual, there are indeed professional artists who use high-quality conte or dry pigment crayons for their work. These specialized crayons, often referred to as Cray-Pas, are of much higher quality and permanence than the typical children's wax or paraffin sticks that most of us are familiar with. In fact, the initial inspiration for these crayons came from artistic needs long before Pablo Picasso ordered custom oil-based pastel crayons for his projects.

Despite the unique challenges that crayons present, many artists still find value in incorporating them into their work. The main issue lies in the limited pigment load and the wax-based binder, which are designed to make clean-up easy for children rather than to produce long-lasting artworks. However, for an artist striving for durability and longevity, this can be a significant limitation.

Challenges of Using Wax-Based Crayons for Art

One of the primary reasons that professional artists often avoid using regular crayons is the unstable nature of their wax binder. While the wax can be stable and long-lasting on an appropriate surface, finding crayons made with light-fast pigments that don't fade over time can be difficult. Imagine putting in weeks of hard work, only to see your artwork begin to look washed-out within just a few short years! This is a major concern for artists and art buyers who expect works to last a long time, often for decades.

Professional-grade oil pastels made with light-fast pigments share many of the characteristics of crayons and are slowly gaining acceptance as a medium for serious art. Oil pastels offer a more versatile option while maintaining a certain level of durability, making them a more palatable choice for many artists.

Technical Challenges with Wax-Based Crayons

A few other technical issues make wax-based crayons challenging for professional artists. One major drawback is the inability to maintain a sharp point for extended periods. Additionally, applying too much pressure can easily break the crayon, which means that artists would need to work on large pieces of paper to accommodate this fragility. An accidental break could result in messy streaks, disrupting the intended artistic vision.

Furthermore, the surface of paper quickly becomes saturated when using crayons, making it difficult to build up color gradually. Unlike oil pastels, you can't easily blend crayon colors by rubbing them together. In some cases, people melt crayons to create unique effects, but actual drawing with them remains a rare practice.

Cray-Pas: A Special Kind of Crayon for Professional Artists

However, there is a solution to many of these challenges. Cray-Pas, short for crayon-pastels, are specially designed to bridge the gap between traditional crayons and professional art materials. These high-quality crayons are made with superior pigments and a more stable wax-based binder, allowing them to produce vibrant, long-lasting artwork. As the name suggests, Cray-Pas are essentially pastel crayons, designed to offer the best of both worlds.

While Cray-Pas address many of the technical challenges faced by artists working with regular crayons, they still require careful handling and the right techniques. For artists willing to invest time and effort, however, Cray-Pas can be a rewarding medium that combines the immediacy of crayon work with the durability and vibrancy required for professional pieces.

Conclusion

While it's true that many professional artists may avoid using conventional crayons, there are instances where they choose to work with specialized crayons like Cray-Pas. These high-quality crayons offer a unique artistic experience that balances ease of use with lasting artistic value. For those looking to break the mold and explore new mediums, Cray-Pas stand out as a viable and intriguing option.