Last Thursday night, we had the pleasure of attending a Wine and Draw event celebrating the exclusive collaboration between Caran d’Ache and the renowned Northern Irish illustrator and writer, Oliver Jeffers. The event marked the launch of the Luminance 6901™ Creative Set, an innovative blend of Jeffers’ artistic vision and Caran d’Ache’s exceptional craftsmanship.
Held at the Drawing Room in New York City, we were immediately greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere, along with a beautifully arranged charcuterie spread and red wine for guests. Communal tables were set up with art supplies meticulously laid out, waiting for the attendees to dive into their creative endeavors. The air was filled with excitement as fellow art enthusiasts chatted and anticipated the evening’s activities.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly an exclusive conversation with Oliver Jeffers. Jeffers, known for his curiosity and humor, shared his thoughts on the nature of art and creativity. He spoke candidly about his journey as an artist, emphasizing that art is not about perfection but about the joy of creation and communication.
“I’ve always enjoyed making art. I haven’t always been very good at it. And I’m probably one of the worst actual draftsmen in this room. But that’s not what art is about. It’s about making something, the process that you enjoy, and the idea of communicating,” Jeffers said, resonating deeply with the audience. He continued, “I think making art is a very powerful tool, especially in this current day and age.”
Jeffers’ insights into the different types of artists—craftspeople who focus on the craft itself and communicators who use the craft to convey messages—were particularly enlightening. He sees himself as the latter, using art as a means of expression and connection.
A Warm Campfire Scene
The evening then transitioned to the main attraction: the Luminance 6901™ Creative Set in collaboration with Caran d’Ache. Jeffers explained his selection process for the set, which includes eight shades from the 100-color range known for their exceptional lightfastness, ensuring the colors last up to 100 years. He also included a neon pink Maxi pencil and a Graphicolor pencil with a neon yellow and HB bicolor lead, adding a vibrant twist to the collection.
Jeffers described his long-standing relationship with these pencils, having used them since childhood. He humorously noted, “Every idea I’ve ever had starts with a pencil, no matter what the end result is.” His selection was based on the colors he frequently replaces in his own art practice, making the set a true reflection of his artistic preferences.
Following Jeffers’ speech, the room was abuzz with anticipation as we prepared to create our own artworks. A step-by-step video of Jeffers guiding us through one of his iconic illustrations, A Warm Campfire Scene, was projected on the wall. Armed with the Luminance 6901™ pencils, we each began our interpretations of Jeffers’ work.
The experience was both fun and enlightening, working with different mediums like paint and pencil to make the artwork whilst trying to keep up with the video for the first time. Thankfully, the pencil set comes with Jeffers’ online course, accessible via a QR code included in the set, which provides additional guidance, helping to capture the essence of the scene with precision and emotion. The vibrant hues of the pencils, combined with the neon accents, brought a magical dimension to our drawings. The Luminance 6901™ Creative Set not only showcases Caran d’Ache’s commitment to quality and innovation but also celebrates the creative spirit embodied by Oliver Jeffers. This collaboration is a great investment to captivate and inspire artists of all levels for years to come.
As the evening drew to a close, we each received a Caran d’Ache tote bag containing the Luminance 6901™ Creative Set and our completed artworks. It was a perfect memento of an inspiring and creative evening. The combination of fine art supplies, excellent company, and the opportunity to learn from a artist like Oliver Jeffers made it a really wholesome and inspiring experience.