A genuinely significant new medium from one of the world's most respected Swiss art materials manufacturers — and a product that has set a new standard for what a wax and oil pastel can achieve. The Caran d'Ache Neoart 6901 is the first wax and oil pastel in the world to comply with the ASTM D-6901 standard, which certifies exceptional lightfastness for up to 100 years. That is not a marketing claim. It is the result of three months of testing in the Arizona desert and 400 hours under UV radiation in the laboratory — the most rigorous lightfastness testing protocol applied to any pastel medium.
The formulation combines the softness and glide of wax with the richness and depth of oil — a unique texture that is silky and smooth without crumbling, applies with consistent coverage and vibrant colour intensity, and dries to a stable surface that can be overpainted and layered. Unlike conventional oil pastels that never fully cure and remain permanently tacky, the Neoart 6901 dries — which opens up a range of working methods previously unavailable in the pastel medium, including layering without colour contamination and working across multiple sessions without the surface dragging or mixing unintentionally.
The 75% single or bi-pigment formulation is the foundation of the exceptional colour purity. Fewer pigments per colour means cleaner mixes, more predictable results, and truer hue representation across the full palette. Each pastel has an anthracite grey removable paper label indicating the colour name and lightfastness rating — LFI (maximum lightfastness) or LFII (very good lightfastness). Of the twelve colours in this set, nine are rated LFI and three LFII — an exceptionally high lightfastness standard for a pastel set at any price point.
The octagonal shaft — 10mm diameter x 68mm long — is the final practical detail that earns its place. The flat facets prevent rolling off the desk, and the shape gives a natural, comfortable grip for both linear mark-making and broad planar coverage on the flat side. Made in Geneva, Switzerland, under the Swiss Made label.
The set of 12 contains: White, Black, Brown Ochre, Permanent Red, Russet, Manganese Violet, Ultramarine, Lemon Yellow, Purplish Red, Spring Green, Chrysocolla Blue, and Dark Phthalocyanine Green — a considered core palette spanning warm and cool primaries, earth tones, and both a vivid violet and a manganese-based purple.
What surfaces does Neoart 6901 work on?
Paper, cardboard, canvas, glass, and wood — a wider range of surfaces than conventional soft pastels, which typically require a textured paper surface. The wax and oil binder gives the Neoart good adhesion to smooth and non-porous surfaces that would reject a dry pigment pastel.
What makes Neoart 6901 different from conventional oil pastels?
Two key differences. First, the Neoart dries — unlike conventional oil pastels which remain permanently wet and tacky. This allows layered working without colour contamination. Second, it is the first wax and oil pastel to comply with the ASTM D-6901 lightfastness standard, guaranteeing colour stability for up to 100 years — a standard no other oil pastel in the world currently meets.
Can Neoart 6901 be used with Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 coloured pencils?
Yes — the Neoart shares 42 colours with the Luminance 6901 pencil range and the same lightfastness standard, making the two mediums natural companions. The pastel can be used to lay in broad areas of colour which are then refined with the pencil, or the pencil can add fine detail over a dried pastel layer.
Are these suitable for beginners?
Yes — the smooth, non-crumbling texture, the comfortable octagonal grip, and the excellent coverage of the Neoart make it accessible for beginners as well as professionals. The dried finish also makes mistakes easier to correct than with conventional oil pastels.
