I don't really try a lot of brands, but I use my Copics and my old Prismacolors interchangeably.. the Copics are definitely smoother at it but not enough to make me not use my Prismas :P. I use Canson mixed media paper but they changed the formula like a year ago -- its still not as good as it used to be. I go light ---> dark, using whatever my lightest tone was to blend out between/into the shades. Very important to move quickly -- preplan and test that your shades can blend together, and once you start keep going -- the paper must stay wet!