Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Coloured Pencils | Craft and Canvas
Caran d’Ache Luminance 6901 pencils are made for work that is meant to last. They are wax-based coloured pencils produced in Geneva to the highest lightfastness standards — which means the colours resist fading over time in a way that most coloured pencils do not. For finished artwork intended for display, or for illustration work where colour accuracy needs to hold over years, they are among the best pencils available.
We stock Luminance 6901 pencils individually at Craft and Canvas in Hebden Bridge, at £3.99 per pencil.
What makes Luminance different
Most coloured pencils are either wax-based or oil-based. Wax-based pencils have a softer, smoother lay-down and blend more readily; oil-based pencils are firmer and give crisper lines. Luminance uses a wax-based core formulated for maximum pigment concentration and lightfastness.
Lightfastness is measured on a scale — typically the Blue Wool Scale or ASTM standards. Luminance pencils are rated at the highest level across the range. For comparison, many student-grade pencils use dyes rather than pigments, which can shift or fade noticeably within a few years of display. Luminance pencils use artist-grade pigments throughout the range.
The core diameter is 3.8mm — substantial enough to cover ground efficiently but capable of fine detail with a sharp point. The pencil body is round, cedar-cased, with a lacquer finish in the pencil’s own colour to make identification straightforward.
The range
Luminance 6901 comes in 80 colours. The palette is carefully considered: strong representation across all hue families, useful earth tones, a good selection of neutrals and whites, and blacks formulated with different undertones. There are several whites designed for different uses — including an opaque white that covers well on darker paper.
The naming follows Caran d’Ache’s own colour system with a numeric code for each pencil. If you are working from references or following tutorials that specify Luminance colours by number, the codes are printed on the side of each pencil and on our individual stock.
How they perform
On smooth paper — hot-press watercolour paper, Bristol board, fine art papers with a low tooth — Luminance pencils lay down evenly and blend smoothly. The pigment load is high enough that colours build up quickly without requiring heavy pressure. Light pressure gives translucent layers; heavier pressure gives saturated, almost pastel-like coverage.
On textured paper the behaviour changes. The tooth of the paper catches the pigment and the lay-down becomes more granular. Some effects suit this; very smooth, photorealistic work usually requires a smoother surface.
Luminance pencils burnish well — pressing hard with a colourless blender or a light pencil on top of layered colours produces a polished, blended surface. They also work alongside Caran d’Ache’s Neocolor II watercolour wax pastels, which can be applied over or under pencil layers for mixed-technique work.
Buying individually
One of the practical advantages of stocking individual pencils is that you can build or complete a set according to your own working palette rather than buying a pre-selected tin. If you work primarily with a limited palette, or if you only need to replace specific colours that have worn down, buying individually makes more sense than a full set.
We keep the range available as individual pencils at £3.99 each. Come in and have a look at the colours in person — screen representations of pencil colours are variable, and the actual pigments are worth seeing.
We are at 3 Carlton Street in Hebden Bridge.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Luminance and Pablo pencils?
Both are Caran d’Ache ranges. Pablo pencils are oil-based with a firmer, harder core — they hold a sharper point longer and suit detailed line work. Luminance are wax-based with a softer, smoother lay-down and higher lightfastness ratings. Many artists use both in the same piece.
Are Luminance pencils suitable for beginners?
They are a professional-grade pencil and priced accordingly. Beginners who are serious about coloured pencil work will find them excellent; they are forgiving to use and the quality is immediately apparent. If you are just starting out and not sure whether coloured pencils are for you, a smaller set of a more accessible range is a lower-risk starting point.
Can Luminance pencils be used with solvents?
Yes — odourless mineral spirits or a colourless blender can be used to move and blend the pigment. Apply with a brush or a cotton bud. This gives a smoother, more paint-like finish and eliminates visible pencil strokes.
Do you stock the full range of 80 colours?
We aim to stock the full Luminance range as individual pencils. Stock levels vary — if you are looking for a specific colour or want to check availability before visiting, contact us at craftandcanvas.co.uk.
How do Luminance pencils compare with Faber-Castell Polychromos?
Polychromos are oil-based, firmer, and hold a point well. Luminance are softer and smoother with higher lightfastness across the full range. Both are professional-quality. The choice often comes down to preferred working style — Polychromos for detail-first work, Luminance for smooth lay-down and blending.
Craft and Canvas · 3 Carlton Street, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8ER · craftandcanvas.co.uk