Comments on: 3 Little Birds with Colored Pencils – Blue Jay with Polychromos Pencils

By: Melissa Hughes

Melissa Hughes — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 20:17:23 +0000

In reply to matt.

Hi Matt, I’m just doing this course now, and I love the way you have structured it so we can use the different pencils. It’s perfect if you are new and aren’t sure what type of coloured pencils to spend money on. This course gives people the opportunity to buy the singles and create something lovely at the same time.

Thanks for the additional information in this thread, and I’ve added some of it to my journals for reference 🙂

By: Janet Bryan

Janet Bryan — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:29:04 +0000

In reply to Janet Bryan. Also, how does the pastel background stay in place without making a mess. What are the disadvantages of completing the bird first?

By: Janet Bryan

Janet Bryan — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 18:50:07 +0000

I am just starting the Blue Jay but noticed that you are using FabermCastell (72). Is it possible to complete with the FC (32)?

By: Louise Slate

Louise Slate — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 16:26:04 +0000

In reply to Steve Sherber. Thank you Steve for your comment. I was thinking about drawing the blue jay with my Prismacolor pencils but decided to wait until I can order the polychromos, I see it as an investment in advancing my knowledge and ability to produce professional level art. I want the best products for superior outcomes. Thanks for your input!

By: Jillian Young

Jillian Young — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 07:05:33 +0000

Hi new member here,
I am wanting to try this course and extend my colour pencil drawing skills and knowledge of pencils, but only have prismacolors at home. Happy to buy Faber-Castells, but am unsure which size set to get. Because I am slowly working through each tutorial, I know they will be used – which set do you recommend purchasing that will give me the best options of colours.

By: matt

matt — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 12:19:17 +0000

In reply to Joanne Lorraine. Hi Joanne, I think I used Ultramarine and Cadmium Yellow.

By: Joanne Lorraine

Joanne Lorraine — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 16:59:12 +0000

Hi Matt, just finishing the Kingfisher ( loved the lessons and the result) and about to start the blue jay. I went to purchase the pan pastels and note that there are a lot of options of yellow and blue, each with various tint shades, not sure which ones to purchase. There is no simple yellow or blue! Can you kindly advise? Thank you.

By: Martina

Martina — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 19:08:45 +0000

Hi Matt, I love your coloured pencil videos. Would you recommend to use pastels or pastel pencils in any case if the background is blurred and in combination with coloured pencils for the main object? Would watercolor a suitable alternative to the pastels for blurred backgrounds? In my case I am not able to make the transitions so smooth with watercolor. Do you have any other alternative to pastels?

By: Sandy Young

Sandy Young — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 11:47:26 +0000

Hi, Matt. I love your videos but I am on a tight budget and cannot afford all the extra types of paper, materials, etc. Is there a way to have an art lesson for those on a budget?

By: Lisa Brumley

Lisa Brumley — Tue, 24 May 2022 23:46:25 +0000

Matt, thank you for these excellent courses! I always considered myself to have “no artistic talent” but have taken up art since retiring and am amazed at what I have learned by watching your videos. My three birds didn’t look quite as good as yours but are good enough for me to frame and display in my home for guests to see. Thanks for all the time and effort you out into this teaching platform. I can’t wait to try other mediums.