Prismacolor Premier

I love these soft lead pencils because they meld nicely (as if you were mixing paint), for pencil paintings that can simulate oils and acrylic painting. (without the expense and toxicity of paint)

Blender Pencils for Painterly Colored Pencil Drawings

When you want to meld colored pencils together to achieve a painterly look, reach for this blender. Because this pencil is colorless, your blending will not add color but rather meld the previous layers, making your drawing look like a painting.

White Verithin Pencil (Set of 12)

When you draw using the reverse grisaille method, you burn through Verithin pencils. So it's best to buy them by the dozen, so you don't have to go to the store every time you run out.

Derwent Studio Pencils

These medium hard leads stay sharper and still have enough pigment to lay down full bodied colors. So, they are good for blending as well as detailed drawings.

(The only time I reach for Prismacolor Premiere is when I can't find that color in Derwent. Otherwise, I default to using these pencils for most of my drawings because a medium hard lead allows me to build up a lot of layers.)

The core lead in the Derwent Artist's Pencil is identical to the lead density you'll find in the Derwent Studio Pencils.

Derwent Artists Pencils

These medium hard leads stay sharper way longer than the Prismacolor Premiere and still lay down succulent colors. I default to using these pencils for most of my drawings because a medium hard lead will allow me to build up a lot of layers.

The core lead in the Derwent Artist's Pencil is identical to the lead density you'll find in the Derwent Studio Pencils.

(I prefer Studio pencils a bit more simply because they are not as fat and they will fit in any sharpener. I also prefer the way they feel in my hand. Having said that, Derwent Artists pencils are available in 120 colors and Studio pencils only come in sets of 72.)

Derwent Drawing Pencils - The Old Masters' Palette - Super Soft & Succulent

I'm not sure why Derwent calls these Drawing Pencils because they are actually super soft colored pencils. These are wonderful when you want a buttery painterly feel. I call them Magic pencils because the whites will layer on top of other colors when other wax-based pencils just won't stick. These include soft greens, blues, grays, and creams plus a wider choice of traditional sepia tones, making them ideal for a wide range of subjects.

Derwent Drawing Pencils are 8 mm in diameter with soft, thick, round leads that have a creamy consistency, making it easy to apply and produce a rich, velvety finish on the paper. The soft, extra wide 5mm strip is ideal for blending and encourages loose, expressive drawings with subtle tonal transitions. Colors can be quickly laid down in wide to thin applications. Pencils are pre-sharpened.

These pencils bring color to life —  from pet portraits, vibrant wildlife drawings, to nature studies, and portraiture.

Derwent Drawing Pencils (Supersoft)

(If you can't afford the full set of Derwent Drawing Pencils, this 6 pack will do.) 

• Perfect medium for wildlife and nature studies, as well as landscapes and portraits
• These super soft leads have a buttery feel to them and are great for melding colors in a painterly effect.
• Metal tin holds everything together and contains a leaflet with hints and tips

72 Derwent Colored Pencils, Procolour Pencils - Metal Tin

• Vibrant, highly pigmented color, smooth laydown with a texture that has the covering power of wax yet glides like an oil
• Strong core which maintains a Sharp point for detailed drawing without losing vibrancy of color
• Unique formulation which promises a clean finish every time with minimal chipping and dusting keeping work clean and smudge free; metal tin 72 count

Derwent Studio Pencils in a wooden box

If you like to keep your pencils in a box, this is my FAVE because it's made to last.

Black Colored Pencil Paper - Smooth on both sides

IThis is the black paper for your Dooley and Angelo projects is readily available at Amazon.com. I like this paper because it's smooth on both sides so if you mess up, you can just flip it over and use the other side.

Smooth Colored Pencil Paper - Choose Gray and/or Tan:

I like to use this paper for tonal value studies with graphite, grey tonal values in colored pencil and ronal drawings with a pop of colored pencil.

I enjoy the smooth texture because it allows me to get fine details.

White Colored Pencil Paper - Smooth on both sides

White paper needs a bite so that wax will stick to it and keep layering, pencil after pencil. I've tested a ton of white papers and I like thie stationary the best. It has a watermark, but you can position your drawing to avoid that or embrace it as a sign that you used a prestigious brand.

Colored Papers for Colored Pencil MasterClasses

At present there isn't a perfect colored paper for colored pencils, but when I need a colored ground, I used the Canson Mi Tientes Pastel Paper 8.5x11.

It's designed with a rough and smooth side. Because I want fine detail with a pencil, I turn the paper over and use the smooth side.

 Below is a list of the colors you will need to use in various Colored Pencil College MasterClasses. We are starting with projects on black paper first, because it takes a while to get these papers in the mail. So, order them right now, even though it will be some time before you need them.

Canson Mi Tientes Pastel Paper 8.5x11 packet of 25 sheets

• 502 Bisque
• 384 Buff
• 345 Dark Gray
• 336 Sand
• 448 Ivy
• 501 Tobacco

Derwent Water Color Pencils, Metal Tin, 72  

I want my watercolor pencils to have fully saturated pigments, and Derwent pencils do; they look good both dry and wet. I have the set of 72 but you could get by with a 23 or 36 set since it's easy to mix colors. (If you know Color Theory that is.)

3 Piece Sable Travel Watercolor Brush Set with Pocket Protective Case

Makes watercolor pencil painting very portable. Toss this in your pocket or purse with a few pencils, a small tablet and you are good to go.

I like sable brushes because you can get them to fine point to draw with it or use it to paint too.

For White Highlights

When I want to pop in a bright highlight and my pencils won't lay down a strong white, I reach for this and paint a dot of white in the eye, or a whisker or...

Zippered Pencil Case-Canvas 72 Slots Handy Pencil Holders with Printing Pattern

• The removable handle makes it convenient to travel with your pencils, a perfect case for travelers who love coloring and drawing. Compact size: 7.8 x 5 x 3.5 Inches (20 x 12.5 x 8.7CM)  
• Each pencil has its own individual holder, elastic strap holds each pencil or pen securely and prevent them from falling out or being stepped on.There are 3 special loops for erasers, sharpeners and so on.  
• Made of durable canvas and strong zipper, this pencil holder stores and organizes your pencils as well as protects them from dust and damage.  
• Each compartment holds 10 pencils easily and so easy to group all the colors and access the right one instantly.