i am doing a few classes for 2020: Wanderlust 2020, Kara Bullock, Juna Biogioni.

Today I worked on a bonus class for Kara Bullock Group…a portrait (photo provided) on a 12”x12” piece of CARDBOARD! Charcoal, white Conté on first image; Charcoal, Black and white Saucé. On the second. ps: the crease on #2 is from the box…and some paper peeled off. Just for giggles. And yes, the cardboard is not archival; no, I don’t care; and I’ll take good images for reproduction if I need to.

I take classes and workshops to do exactly what the instructor says because I want to learn what they do…if I just do what I KNOW, I might a well save my month. Besides, you’ll get results you’d have missed if you don’t. Just look how the vertical lines from the corrugated cardboard add to the drawing!

Saucé is a Russian product, made from a clay material only available in Russia…just like Conté Crayon is made from a clay in France. Widely used in Russian art trainings, particularly in the 18th century, it is just recently gaining ground outside Russia. I have a Pinterest page with some fine examples.

Saucé is pronounced “Sa-oose”, and is easily available as an import from Jack Richeson. Theirs is reportedly a student quality, made in China. The colors are duller than other brands made in Russia. I just found another brand by Yarka made in Russia, and others I can’t pronounce; all much more expensive than the Richeson.

i’ve read that the higher quality product isn’t exported.

There is very little in the way of instruction. What I’ve learned is that it is:

darker than charcoal
using a piece of fine cloth like hosiery or chiffon, ground/powdered Sauce can be applied in a pouncing motion
after brushing with water, it is permanent
it comes from Richeson in sets with neutral colors and white
you can order it here from my affiliate amazon store.
someone said it is called “Saucé” because you mix it with water into a thin paste and use a brush to apply it.

Please share any information you have, techniques you like, or anything to add to my research!