Colored Pencils

I did a couple of watercolors the other day, and they turned out fairly comical. That is, they weren't very good, although passable. I was beside myself, having done several very nice pieces in the last three months. I turned to my colored pencils to do some studies, and found I had a sketch that could have and eventually did become a nice drawing. I am working on a number of pieces right now. I spent the greater part of an afternoon doing Celtic contours for a piece designated to be on consingment at Ancient Healing Secrets, a nice and at the same time a bit peculiar new age shop just down the road from our house here in St Petersburg. I have really enjoyed getting to know my medium of pencils as this is something I have only trifled with for the last ten years. So, I have now finished three butterflies, each around 10" x 8", four Florida birds, also approx 10" x 8", and have done four seasons, as studies for my Celtic seasons mentioned above. I am learning by rout which is good by my standards. I am having to look for some inexpensive mattes for these, and some backing boards, and maybe some shrink-wrapping. I attended an exhibition here in Largo, Fl, of an artist working in Intaglio recently, which has inspired me greatly.