Pencil set Caran d’Arche 1285.718 — 18 soft coloured pencils, assorted colours, FSC, CE

Caran d’Arche 1285.718 is a set of 18 soft coloured pencils in assorted colours designed for drawing, sketching and colouring. Each pencil has a hexagonal body made from FSC-certified Californian cedar wood and is varnished in the same colour as its lead. The lead is soft, water-soluble and resistant, with a diameter of 2.8 mm for smooth coverage and clean, precise lines. The set is CE certified and the packaging indicates Swiss origin, making it suitable for school, studio and hobby use.

Advantages

The soft, water-soluble lead provides smooth laying and easy blending, while the 2.8 mm core balances durability with precise mark-making. Hexagonal FSC-certified cedar bodies offer a comfortable grip and reduce rolling on flat surfaces; varnishing matches the lead colour to simplify selection. The combination of soft texture and water solubility enables dry colouring as well as wet techniques when activated with a brush, sponge or finger.

Suitable for

• School drawing and colouring lessons
• Sketching and preliminary studies in the studio
• Mixed-media and watercolor effects using water activation
• Hobby projects, journaling and colouring books

Key specifications

• Number of pencils: 18
• Lead type: soft, water-soluble, resistant
• Lead diameter: 2.8 mm
• Body shape: hexagonal
• Wood: FSC-certified Californian cedar
• Varnish: body varnished in the same colour as the lead
• Certification: CE

How to use

Use the pencils dry for drawing, shading and precise linear work. For blending and watercolor-style washes, apply a standard paintbrush or a damp sponge to the coloured strokes to dissolve the pigment and spread it like paint. The soft lead allows layering; start with light pressure for initial tones and increase pressure for deeper saturation. Sharpen with a suitable sharpener for a clean point when fine lines are required.

Usage recommendations

Store pencils horizontally or in a pencil case to avoid breakage. When using water activation, test on a scrap of paper to gauge absorbency and pigment spread. Allow wet layers to dry fully before applying additional layers to prevent overworking the paper.