I purchased some Staedler fine nib indelible pens to practice with, in readiness for the lineart work for my book. Even though I have purchased the smallest nib, it is still not as fine as the Rotring pen nib, so I shall have to clean these out again!! But the Staedlers will be all right for larger works. As you can see, I do need some practice with pen and ink as I have not done any for a couple of years. The subject here is Medlar fruit, which grows on a tree in a little patch of grass across the road from my house. These particular fruits are rather overripe and ‘puss’ globules are oozing from them. They all seem to have a funny little appendage near the stalk, the purpose of which I am not sure, but it adds character to the drawings. The fourth drawing from the left is a messy cross section. It was difficult to see the formation of the seed chambers and surrounding soft flesh of the fruit – presumably the stuff that is eaten – although I have not plucked up enough courage to try it as it does not look very nice, although the smell is very sweet. In late spring this little tree is covered in beautiful white flowers – perhaps the subject for a nice painting some time. Learn more about the history of this little-known fruit in today’s world: View
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