A crayon is a stick of colored wax used for drawing and coloring. When you press a crayon against paper, the soft wax leaves behind a mark of color.

Most crayons are about as thick as your finger and come in dozens of colors, from basic red and blue to unusual shades like periwinkle or burnt sienna. The Crayola company alone makes over 120 different colors. Young children often use crayons because they're easy to grip and don't require the fine control that colored pencils or markers need.

Crayons became popular in the early 1900s when companies figured out how to make them safely and inexpensively. Before that, artists used expensive oil pastels or chalk. Today, you'll find crayons in almost every classroom and home with kids.

Unlike markers, crayons won't bleed through paper or dry out if you leave the cap off. Unlike colored pencils, they don't need sharpening (though they do wear down and can break). The waxy texture creates a distinctive look that's softer than pen or pencil but bolder than watercolor. Many artists actually prefer the unique effects crayons can create, like layering colors or using the side of the crayon for broad strokes.