Fruit is my friend (Lesson 29)

I decided to follow something out of the other book today. This one has some actual step by step instructions, so I followed it exactly. Now I know what that white thingy I got in my charcoal kit is - it's a paper stump - and how to use it.  I couldn't figure out what this rolled up piece of paper that looked like a sharpened pencil was for, it actually does a great job blending. I had always used my fingers before, but this thing lets you blend really tiny areas with more precision. But I still like using my fingers and getting it all messy.

The lesson was texture, and the example in the book was a tomato.  I did a still life with a pear, mango and kiwi. I used different types of strokes to show the differences in their skin.  And then I did deep hatching for shadows - I put my lamp so there were definite shadows and definite light areas on each.  I like working on the brown paper because then I can use the white pencil to really make the contrast between light and dark.

Really good therapy for me today. I forgot all about my work, the issues I'm having as pres of the condo board, my pain levels, my dating life ... everything. It was a great escape.