Art Supply Questions

Pens vs, Pencils. not too mention paper. I've been using these god awful colored pencils on some old tracing paper I had lying around, and the pictures look great if I can lay the paper on top of an off white color , or I can't see any of the white I'm using at all lol Duh right. But also they seem to leave a shit glare when I photograph them with my camera. ???? The pen's I'd like to get are damn expensive but that's ok. Just looking for suggestions really on what others have tried and learned. Oh and light boxes. Cheaper to make or Buy? I'm thinking of building my own and don't see too many difficulties besides the heat issue. I'm thinking low watage bulb(s) would fix that. Any suggestions?

Use a flouresent(sp)light and drill holes in the side for air

for glare get a polarizing filter for the camera... I've got one coming.