Conté à Paris Sketching Carrés are traditional square-format drawing crayons made from a blend of natural pigments, kaolin clay, and a cellulose-based binder. Invented in France in 1795, these iconic tools have been used by generations of artists—including Delacroix, Degas, and Picasso—for their ability to produce expressive lines, subtle tonal shifts, and controlled shading.

Their dry, firm texture sits between pastel and chalk—more crumbly than Conté Colour Carrés, but less soft than traditional pastels—making them well-suited for high-rendering applications like life drawing, figure studies, and architectural sketching.
 
They apply cleanly across a variety of surfaces, including bristol board, toned and textured papers, and drawing sheets. The sticks produce minimal dust and layer well without becoming overly slick. Each one can be sharpened to a point using a sanding block or blade for more precise mark-making.
 
Sticks measure approximately 2-1/2" long × 1/4" square (63 mm × 6 mm).