Welcome! The cherries look nice. About the eraser, I think you will improve with more practice. I had the same issue when I started the course now I feel I have more control with the eraser.

You can make it flat with sandpaper, then use the edge to make sharp lines. Or you can use an electric eraser grind it on sandpaper with an angle, then the tip will be very sharp. With darker graphite, you’ll just have to keep going back and forth with the eraser till it’s able to lift some graphite. As you go through the course and tutorials, you’ll see more demostrations and more chance to practice.

Hi Deb, Welcome to the community.

Your cherries look very good and the leaf has very good detail. The only suggestions I might have is to make the cherries and the leaf darker with more contrast in values. Also make the edges of the cherries a little crisper.

Cheryl is right about the erasers. You can also cut a slight bit of the tip of the mono eraser off flat with a utility knife. This gives a very sharp edge for fine lines.

Practicing using the mono eraser on scrap paper is a good way to build your skill in its use. It is a great art tool once you get the hang of it.😊

Welcome Debra! So glad you decided to share – those cherries look lovely, and the indentation highlights give them a nice glossy feel. Do not let the talent around you intimidate you – everyone started somewhere, and posting your work is the best way to grow.

Cheryl and Larry already gave you excellent advice on the mono eraser – the utility knife slice and sandpaper trick are both game changers. The only thing I would add is to practice those sharp eraser strokes on a scrap piece of dark graphite first. It takes the pressure off your actual drawing while you get the feel for how much pressure lifts graphite without digging in. Your cherries are a solid start. Keep going!

some of the nicest cherries i have seen and the leaf looks great