My wife is trying something that you may be interested in. Water color pencil and them you paint water over them and they look like water color. Then she uses pen and ink to draw the picture. I myself paint in acrylics on saw blades. I was raised in Orlando by the way. Lived off Oak Ridge Rd.

Yipee! I dove in, and bought myself some books from Northlight, one being about colored pencils, and using them with other mediums! It's my birthday present to myself, It's funny, but the other 3 books I'm not sure of, I was pondering over so many that I can't say for sure! Anyway, it will be a surprise when they arrive! I can't wait!

The mermaid...here is the URL for the drawing, I still can't bring actual photos over, but you can see the image by clicking on the link...I do http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/2730391200_454686cfca.jpgnot like the Alizarin patches, and after this, I tried to draw the waves, and use the pencils to create the sky, big disaster! That is why I asked about pencil over acrylic wash...here's the drawing

To Diamond1

Thanks so much for going out of your way to help me! I will definately check out the links you sent me!    For Rebekia, Thanks also..I have not seen this brand of colored pencil, and when I become more familiar with this medium, I will definately check it out...purchase online? ...twowayartist, thanks also for responding, sorry you had to leave!

Well all, the pencils I have/use : Faber-Castell..Loew and Cornell..Derwent (earthtones) and Derwent Graphitint,graphite pencils w/ a hint of color (haven't used yet) My problem is 1: I haven't worked in my Art for 20 years...2: I'm trying a somewhat foreign medium...Thats why I bought the Graphitint, I'm familiar w/ regular pencils, so after 2 colored pencil flubs, when I saw these, I bought them, hoping to transition...My image is great, if I could figure out how to bring photos to this site, I could show you!Well, now that you all have more info, and if by luck I could bring the flubbed drawing in, you could see where I am, I'm sure that would help! Jeanette

Hi Jeanette,

I contacted Faber-Castell for you regarding your inquiry. They offered to send you some free brochures on some products. Also, she recommended the following:

"I would recommend a workbook by Wendy Hollander, she is a botanical artist and has taught several courses.  Her book can be found here: http://www.whartdesign.com/workbook.html  Wendy’s workbook incorporates several colored pencil techniques that she uses in drawing flowers and plants."

"Jeanette might also be interested in attending a Creative Academy workshop.  These workshops are taught by experienced artists and are free of charge.  The Creative Academy schedule is available online and is updated with new workshops frequently.  It can be found here: 

http://www.faber-castell.us/