TIA - Paper matters, too. With colored pencils, you need paper with a bit of "tooth", enough roughness to hold the pigment, But if you want a smoother drawing, try paper with less tooth. Be sure to experiment with different kinds of paper just as you will with different types of colored pencils. Here's a beginner primer: drawsketch.about.com/od/drawingpaper

Martha - The carriers in the sizing may dissolve some of the plastic or at least eat into it, no? I looked up "ArtMinds Gold Leaf" at the Michaels website - it is made from copper. Therefore, if jackwise wants to retain the gold appearance, the leaf will need to be sealed, especially from hand and ear oils. Again, there may very well be damage to the plastic from the chemicals in the sealer if any of it overlaps the leaf and the 'phone case. Please correct any errors in my thinking.