A: Wax paper is coated with wax, which is what transfers with the heat of the iron to the paper to create the resist effect. Parchment paper doesn't have this coating. I'm not sure how an uncoated cardstock would react - I'm afraid it would soak up the wax instead of it sitting on top.

A: There are many different kinds of paper that work well. My favorite to work with is coated cardstock. The package I have now is Mohawk Color Copy Ultra Gloss Cover - it has a similar finish to posterboard or the white shipping tags (I use those often too!).

A: I've done it both ways. Always check auction sites for used sets - I've gotten some very good deals that way! Sometimes I'll start off by purchasing a smaller set of basic colors, and add a few at a time as I can. I know the colors I use the most, so I'll focus on purchasing those first - sometimes it's worth paying a little more to have pencils you'll use rather than purchasing a full set with a range of colors that isn't in your usual palette. If you're unsure about what brands or types of pencils you prefer, you can purchase single pencils from a variety of brands. Test them yourself to see how they blend and what core hardness and content you prefer. Then you can make an informed purchase of a set (or multiple sets!) to fit your style and needs.

A: I use different tools for dotting depending on the size I need, but you don't need anything special! The end of a paint brush or a pencil point will make different size dots and they're probably already on your desk! I usually drip out a little white gesso, dip the tool, and then dot it onto my project. If you want to purchase special tools for dotting, look for a ball stylus set used for nail art or rock painting - they come in a variety of sizes and make a nice round dot. If you want varied sizes of dots, you can usually dip and dot several times before going back to the paint.

A: It depends a bit on what kind of techniques you want to do. Hot press watercolor paper is smooth so it's great for stamping, stenciling, and ink blending techniques. Cold press papers have a rough texture, which is great for granulating watercolors and watercolor powders. If you're able to find some samples of each type of paper and experiment, that's always best. With either paper type, a heavier weight (at least 140#) will give best results and resist warping. Also, don't expect the same results from cheap papers as you'll get from studio or artist grade papers - cheap paper tends to absorb water too quickly and can sometimes produce blotchy results. Quality paper really makes a difference!