Take an apple, pepper or similar fruit or vegetable, place it so that there is a strong directional light on it from one side, either with a lamp or window to one side.

Look closely at the lightest and darkest areas before you start.

Using your tone chart as your guide, interpret the lightest area on your fruit as no. 1 and the darkest as no.10, this way you should use a whole range of tones.

1.) Too much SMUDGING, this can kill off your work if it is all over smudged, rest your drawing hand on a scrap of paper as you work, if you use a rubber do not sweep the rubbings off with your hand, blow them or use a clean, dry brush. BUT use smudging where it will be effective.

2.) GREYNESS, nothing looks worse than a greyish drawing that only uses the middle range of tones. Use the full range for a clearer and more exciting drawing.

3.) HARD OUTLINES, These also can kill the three-dimensional look of your work, are there any outlines in real life? Try to grab one and see!

Start by planning your fruit on the page with the lightest of lines you can draw. Introduce your tone lightly with the side of your pencil point. Gradually build up the tone, darkening it by increasing the pressure and finally for the darker tones and detail by changing your grip and holding the pencil more vertically.