Notes from the Drawing Board: Drawing with Conté crayons

Published on: 18 Mai 2014 Author: Chris Riddell

The incomparable illustrator & author, former Children's Laureate and all round national treasure Chris Riddell, who's work includes the Ottaline and Goth Girl series of books, became our tenth Writer in Residence back in 2014. In this blog Chris showed off his new pastels and spoke about the joy of new kit as an illustrator. 

I've been drawing with a soft pastel called a Conté crayon and loving the fluid smokey line and sense of freedom it gives.

I used to draw with charcoal all the time but gave it up as impractical when I began working as an illustrator. Using Conté crayon is like discovering an old friend.