When write makes might.

• Position: What's New? - Faber-Castell USA Portfolio Bags - Product/Service Evaluation

Since we once seriously entertained artistic aspirations before the writing and editing bug overwhelmed us, imagine our excitement when Faber-Castell USA, Cleveland, Ohio, came out with a new series of Portfolio Bags, containing "materials for a variety of art experiences."

The Drawing & Sketching Set contains six graphite pencils (made of finely ground clay and graphite with six degrees of lead hardness); six monochrome watercolor pencils (can be used dry or wet for wash effects); two India ink artist pencils (finepoint and brush, they are acid-free, archival, and smudge- and water-proof); three sticks of pure compressed charcoal (soot and charcoal allow for deep black strokes); finepoint artist brush; stainless steel pencil sharpener; and dust-tree eraser.

The Art Portfolio Set, meanwhile, has six lightfast drawing pencils in varying degrees of hardness and darkness for all drawing techniques; six watercolor pencils that can be used wet for watercolor effects or dry for colored pencil drawings; 12 soft pastels in rich, opaque colors that are smooth and easy to smudge and blend; and an 8" x 10" pad of acid-free art paper.

The Watercolor Pencil Set, besides six graphite drawing utensils, has...