How Many Types of Crayons Are There?


Coloring with crayons is a rite of passage for every school-aged child and has evolved into a relaxing therapeutic hobby for adults as well. Art students and weekend hobbyists alike love the challenge of expressing their creativity with the slick little colorful cylinders. We all know about the boxes of crayons that pop up everywhere during back-to-school season, but we want to make sure that you know that there are many more available options for your next coloring creation.

There are six common types of crayons. Paraffin wax-based and beeswax crayons are the most widely used, but there are also pastel crayons, chalk crayons, Conte crayons, and even charcoal crayons. Whatever art project you choose to embark on, there is a crayon perfectly suited for your artwork.

According to Dictionary.com, a crayon is a pointed stick or pencil of colored clay, chalk, wax, etc. used for drawing or coloring. Nobody is exactly sure who originated the crayon, although the technique of combining wax and pigment to create drawings goes back thousands of years. Many variations have been created over the centuries and have evolved into the types of crayons we now have available. If you have never ventured away from the common school-grade crayons, we want to help you explore some of the other options you have available for your coloring creations.

1. Paraffin Wax-Based Crayons

Paraffin wax-based crayons are a staple for children worldwide and are very inexpensive and readily accessible. With hundreds of colors available, almost every shade and hue you might ever need is at your disposal from primary colors to neon colors to every imaginable skin hue.

Paraffin wax-based crayons are made by melting the wax, adding dye, and then molding them into shape. The most common shape is round, approximately 3-1/2” long, and pointed at one end. Each crayon is usually wrapped in a paper jacket notating its color. These crayons can be sharpened with a pencil sharpener or crayon sharpener when the tip becomes dull, or you can remove the paper to use the side of the crayon to shade large sections.

Other variations of this type of crayon include many different fun shapes and sizes. Larger diameter and blocky crayon shapes are available for toddlers and young children lacking fine finger dexterity. The larger sizes and shapes allow them to grasp and color at an age-appropriate level. 

Another useful variation is twistable crayons, similar to a mechanical pencil, which are fun to color with. The outer protective plastic shell makes them stronger and less likely to break, and they don’t need to be sharpened like regular crayons.

Wonder why Crayola is the best? Check out our article HERE

2. Beeswax Crayons

Beeswax crayons are made by melting the beeswax and adding pigment, then pouring the mixture into molds until set. Beeswax crayons tend to glide more smoothly during the coloring process than paraffin wax-based crayons. Beeswax crayons tend to provide the artist with bright vibrant colors, even capable of showing up on black paper. For young creatives, they are appealing because they tend to provide vivid colors with less pressure required.

Although beeswax crayons don’t come in as wide a variety of colors, they blend well to make custom colors, and, if you are feeling adventurous, you can make them at home and color them however you choose. All of the materials needed to make the beeswax crayons can be found at craft stores or purchased online.

Because beeswax is a renewable resource, it is especially appealing to those who desire to contribute to the well-being of the environment. Beeswax is a by-product of the honey-making process and can be safely harvested without harm to the bees.

3. Pastel Crayons

Pastel crayons are a popular choice among professional artists because of their versatility and ease of use. They can be wax-based oil-based or a combination of the two, each having distinct properties and functions. Wax pastels come in both water-resistant and water-soluble options. The water-soluble wax pastel when used with water can create beautiful watercolor designs. Oil pastels provide a smooth coloring experience and a brighter sheen and are resistant to smudging.

Pastels can also be referred to as soft or hard. Soft pastels have a higher ratio of pigment to the binder whereas hard pastels are the opposite with a higher ratio of binder to the pigment. Soft pastels tend to crumble more easily but provide more vivid colors, and hard pastels are more suited for sketching, detailing, and finishing work. 

4. Chalk Crayons

Chalk crayons come in a variety of options. Depending on the chalk crayon, they may be able to draw and color not only on paper, but glass, wood, cardboard, chalkboards, cement, mirrors, and other surfaces. 

Traditional chalk crayons consist primarily of chalk and pigment. They work well on many types of paper including construction paper. These types of chalk crayons can leave a residue of chalk dust and can be messy on the hands, but soap and water make for an easy clean-up. Some chalk crayons are encased in a plastic tube to help cut down on the mess on your hands, and there is a variety of dustless chalk crayons as well should you decide to avoid the mess.

Coloring with sidewalk chalk is a popular outdoor summer activity. These chalk crayons are typically larger in diameter and well-suited for small hands. Other types of chalk crayons available include wet-erasable chalk crayons, chalk crayons specifically designed for non-porous chalkboards, and chalk crayon markers.

Because of the nature of traditional chalk and its dry dusty consistency, it can smear if it comes in contact with other surfaces. Applying a spray fixative will seal your artwork so that it won’t smear if touched. 

5. Conte Crayons

Conte crayons look similar to pastel crayons but are quite different. They are made from a mixture of graphite or compressed charcoal, pigment, and base material of either clay or wax. They are often used for sketching and because of their hard consistency create fine lines as opposed to pastels which are softer and tend to create broader lines.

Conte crayons come in a variety of colors, but most notably neutral natural colors such as browns, reds, blacks, tans, and white. White Conte crayons are useful for highlighting. Conte crayons are great for blending and don’t typically leave behind a dusty residue. 

6. Charcoal Crayons

Charcoal crayons are made of finely ground charcoal that has been compressed and formed into sticks. Some are made with a higher charcoal-to-binder ratio, and these tend to be softer and better suited for dark, bold drawings. The charcoal crayons made with a higher binder-to-charcoal ratio tend to be harder and more suitable for drawing lines and finer detail. 

Sometimes charcoal crayons are wrapped in paper, but oftentimes you will find them with no casing at all. Because of the nature of charcoal, color selection is primarily limited to light, medium, and dark charcoal tones. Similar to chalk crayon drawings, applying a spray fixative will ensure your artwork will maintain its integrity.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, crayons come in a wide variety of types. From student-grade waxy wonders to pastel, chalk, Conte, and charcoal crayons, no doubt you will find one (or more) that becomes your favorite. Remember that some of these mediums require a little bit more of a learning curve than others, so take your time, and explore all of your options. 

Don’t forget that you can combine more than one type of crayon for some amazing art pieces. Try drawing a design with a Conte crayon and then filling it in with a pastel, chalk, or charcoal crayon. No doubt you will come up with some impressive tricks of your own on your creative journey. Remember that the world needs more art, and you have something to contribute!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best place to purchase crayons?

Crayons of all types are readily available at department stores, craft stores, and even discount stores. There are also many online sources for crayons and craft supplies. When garage sale season rolls around, don’t forget to check local garage sales and flea markets to see if you can find some good deals from someone reducing their supply. Also, check with your friends to see if they have any crayons they would let you borrow or would be interested in trading. Your coloring hobby doesn’t have to be expensive to be fulfilling.

Where can I learn good coloring techniques with crayons?

Many free resources are available online through coloring blogs and YouTube channels. Not only are they very educational, but also enjoyable to read and watch. The coloring community is a wonderful group to be a part of. You may also want to check with your local community college to see if they offer any classes that may interest you. Also, local parks and recreation departments may offer classes to get you started and help you connect with others who also enjoy coloring.

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Shawn C

Hi! I’m Shawn and I Love Coloring and Art and the people in it! I created this website as a resource to help those who are considering getting into adult coloring. My website is your one-stop destination for all the inspired instruction and resources you need to start and grow your adult coloring hobby. From geometric to floral to zen doodles and from time to time even mandala’s when I am in the mood. I have researched and gathered the information to help you in your goal of starting your adult coloring hobby.

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