Hi Teresa -
You’ve got a great name 
Thanks for the kind words. I’m continuing to work on this right now and hope to finish it before the end of the week. I love colored pencils because of the amount of control you can get for the fine details. The only thing is that they are really SLOW when used with lots of layers. I start losing my patience towards the end of a project.
Teresa (Terri) Robichon
Terri:
Thanks for the information. I really value other artist’s experiences. They often save big bucks in trying new materials, or dealing with the unfamiliar. If you want Arches hot press in smaller sizes (though still expensive) get the artist’s blocks. Those are all nailed down until you release them, so no oily fingers have been on them. Amazon has a surprising number of artist’s supplies, often at lower prices. Dick Blick can be rather slow with delivery out here. I am on the Oregon coast. If I can go to the Portland store I buy from them, otherwise it’s Amazon for me.
| robichon
June 22 |
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Hi Jane -
The one paper I use the most (and for the most media) is Arches 300# Hot Press watercolor paper. It is thick (so it can handle wet stuff) and it has a smooth texture (because I do a lot of fine detail and textured papers makes that hard).
One downside is that you have to buy it on-line (most stores don’t have it, and even if they did, I don’t want to buy paper that other people have handled because oils from hands can damage it). I buy mine from DickBlick.com (also known as Blick Art Materials).
The other downside is that it only comes in big sheets and is expensive. I have a flat file where I keep mine and cut it into the sizes I need, as I need them.
I have almost every other kind of paper that Matt has mentioned so if you have questions about others, feel free to ask me.
That being said, I do like the convenience, price and performance of the Stonehenge for colored pencils. I have bought it in the pads with several sheets of paper.
By the way, Matt recently did a members minute (episode 428) of a mostly colored pencil drawing that I did on the 300# Arches watercolor paper.
Terri Robichon
Hi Jane -
Yes, I often check the prices at Amazon too. And you can place a smaller order there without having to pay for delivery. The one thing I have been finding lately though is that Amazon doesn’t package the products very well when they ship. Often they just throw it in an oversized box with 1/3rd the amount of needed air packs (that don’t even begin to fill the empty space). Then I end up with paper packs with damaged corners. So, I usually get my paper from Blick because they package things really well, and customer service is great about replacing anything that gets damaged.
Terri Robichon
So glad I took this approach because it would have taken even longer to keep switching colors. Anyway after devoting my entire week to this I have finally finished the flower part, with just the background left to do.
These colored pencils take an incredible amount of time, but I’m getting excited now about how well this is turning out.
I’ll post again when I’m done.
Terri Robichon
Terri:
I haven’t had that problem with Amazon. Sometimes if you get 2nd party suppliers I imagine that can happen. If you complain to Amazon, they’ll take care of it. Suppliers quake in their boots if the hear from Amazon. I did get some alcohol paints from Latvia that took forever to get here, but they were well packed.
Have you had any experience with recovery from illness or accident? I had pneumonia over Memorial Day and I am taking forever to get my edge back. I finally resorted to hand coloring William Morris cards to get a spark of creativity going. We will be painting outdoors from next Wednesday till late August. The joys of plein aire painting - too much light, sunburn, wind, too hot or too cold, too dry, too wet, sand, insects, curious wild animals. I have had chickadees land on my sketch pad to see what I was doing. If you are near a bush or small tree the avian peanut gallery is sure to comment.
Jane
T
Your peony drawing is fabulous. Looking forward to seeing it completed. I
Hi Jane - I’m fortunate because I’m almost never sick. Haven’t had COVID or anything else for a years. Hope you are fully recovered soon and back into your artistic groove.
I’ve never done plein aire drawing or painting. My style is very controlled realism, and I’m really slow. Someday I really should give it a try.
Thanks for staying in touch. I enjoy chatting with you.
Terri Robichon
Thanks Debs. Hopefully it will be done soon.
Terri Robichon
Wow - that is looking quite impressive!!!
Terri: Plein aire is all about getting it down in the NOW. The light changes every 20 minutes or so, plus all the physical factors. It is not for everyone. I kind of enjoy the challenge. It is a real sense of satisfaction to wind up with something that captures the moment.
I didn’t use to get sick. NO covid or flu. Until this spring. Got run down with too many things going on, got a cold, then bam! got pneumonia. Still working on the William Morris postcards.
Controlled realism is a wonderful way to work. Some people go in depth in one medium, some people like to try different kinds.
I enjpy our conversations too.
Thank you
Jane
Great start. Makes me want to jump right in.
Hi Linda, this one takes a lot of time but the results are really worth the effort. I have about 1/3rd of the background leaves done now so I’m excited about it. I’m guessing it will take another full day to finish - so hopefully before the end of the week.
Terri Robichon
Terri,
I watched the critique on your sister’s drawing. She is just adorable! The sweetness you captured is so heartwarming!! 
Thank you for letting me know about it.
I’m at a standstill about a portrait, not quite ready in my confidence to attempt one but getting there.
Your work is amazing!! I look forward to every posting of yours!!
Terri Robichon
Terri-
That peony is so amazing!! I have to find better words to express my admiration!! In te meantime, it is amazingly amazing!! 
AW-SOME!!
Sonia - thanks so much. Let me say, you’re becoming an amazing friend.
Terri Robichon
Oh, I love this, Terri! Your work is always amazing, but this is so complex and really breathtaking. Well done!
Brenda
Terri,
I agree, friend! 
Thanks so much Brenda. I would have never drawn this on my own, and definitely without all these colors and layers without the live lesson. I’m learning so much at TVI.
Terri Robichon
That looks amazing! I’m hoping to get back to actively art-ing in the next month or two
