[Poggio]

I tend to cheat so I don't know if this helps.

It could be the type of pencils you are using so if you have been using like Roseart or crayola then I say its time to invest in the next grade up. Generals and Prismacolor made some really nice color pencils. They tend to blend smoother when you layer them.

At least that is what one of my teachers told me once and I found it true. Most watercolors I use do not look good if I use the cheap kind. Same with the type of paper I buy.

The other thing I like to do is use water color over color pencils. The wax makes a resist so it ends up with different effects. You can also try markers too.

As for actual technique tutorials I would say spend some time on DA or youtube looking at how toos and speed draws.