crayon

Crayon is a stick of colored wax used for drawing and coloring. The most common form is wax-based, made from paraffin wax or other wax blends mixed with color pigments and a binder, poured into a mold and cooled. The stick is typically wrapped in paper for grip and to keep fingers clean. Crayons are valued for being inexpensive, easy to use, and suitable for beginners, while also serving as a basic tool in artistic practice.

There are several varieties. Wax-based crayons remain the standard, offering solid color and good covering power. Oil-based crayons substitute part of the wax with oil, yielding a smoother, more translucent mark and a different texture on certain papers. Water-soluble crayons can be moistened to produce watercolor-like washes. Specialty variants include scented, metallic, and fluorescent crayons. The materials emphasize safety; commercially sold crayons are generally non-toxic and designed for children.

Historically, colored crayons emerged in the 19th century and became widely produced in the early 20th century. The Crayola brand, created by Binney & Smith in 1903, helped popularize affordable, mass-market crayons for children. Today, crayons remain common in education and home art, valued for accessibility, portability, and a broad color range.