# What medium for this? Need opinions **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized\ **Created:** [March 26, 2024, 2:29am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/what-medium-for-this-need-opinions/3686 "2024-03-26T02:29:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jenlen65](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@jenlen65](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/jenlen65)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 2:29am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/what-medium-for-this-need-opinions/3686/1 "2024-03-26T02:29:04Z")
Hi: Looking for opinions as a family member asked me to draw this. I’m thinking colored pencils (maybe over watercolor). What do you think? ![Attachment](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/1/1f4ef161e9c12602ec2560ecc7fb590fa23b5da0.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![lenetg137](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/lenetg137/32/3016_2.png) [@lenetg137](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/lenetg137)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 3:47am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/what-medium-for-this-need-opinions/3686/2 "2024-03-26T03:47:31Z")
Hello @jenlen65 , I would say color pencil would definitely be a good choice wheter or not you do watercolor underpainting. Other good possibilities would be Inktense or pastels (pencils). Doing this for someone else, I would use the medium you are most comfortable with. Any of those listed could give really vibrant colors and you should be able to get a good level of detail from any of these. Lenet ---
**Author:** ![sterlingsiam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/sterlingsiam/32/30_2.png) [@sterlingsiam](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/sterlingsiam)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 8:34pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/what-medium-for-this-need-opinions/3686/3 "2024-03-27T20:34:55Z")
If you want to do a realistic drawing, pencils (colored, pastel, or others) would do well. Obviously you could also do gouache or oil as well as acrylics. If you opt for a less realistic drawing, then you might want to use watercolor or soft pastels. Based on Matt’s usual recommendation, I would make sure that the bird is not so close to the edge to avoid creating tension. Have fun! Patricia. ---
**Author:** ![robichon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/robichon/32/4993_2.png) [@robichon](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/robichon)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 12:11am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/what-medium-for-this-need-opinions/3686/4 "2024-03-29T00:11:27Z")
@jenlen65 I think colored pencils are perfect for this image. Be sure to use a paper with enough tooth. PastelMat is an example of a good one. Be patient and use lots of layers. Probably use a smaller size for the drawing because colored pencils are time consuming. If you use PastelMat paper, a watercolor under painting would not work with that paper. Media, paper selection and size are all decisions that should be made at the same time. Terri Robichon ---
**Author:** ![junenez](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/junenez/32/4004_2.png) [@junenez](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/junenez)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 9:05pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/what-medium-for-this-need-opinions/3686/5 "2024-03-29T21:05:21Z")
I definitely recommend pastelmat - love it. I would probably do pastels just because I am more confident with those. Can go quite a bit larger with pastels. But colored pencils would also be a good choice - loads of layers! Can’t wait to see it