Very nice.  What is the object at the bottom of the cup. i suspect it's not supposed to be there.   Good job.

Beautiful work. I like especially the books.

I'm dying of curiosity. I have seen this somewhere before. I remember falling in love with the patch on the painting (in light of the fact that I have been know to scrub a whole into a painting). This is great. It also hits home a little because I just got my palette knives and have been reading every art book that I can get my hands on from the library.

Really nice composition and placidity, and I love the blacks and dark colors in the books.

Ah,  Margo cleared up the patch thing for me.  I missed that one,  sorry.  Good job.

beautiful

Thanks for the kind comments folks. I arranged this canvas so it would have a fake patch with old, stained tape. The patch seemed to fit with the old, worn books and my coffee cup. (Margo - thanks for the laugh. dmac)

Visual illusions indeed, I'm glad you fixed that section, it was bothering me.  The books look old and used.  Were these books in the garage?

Very well done, the lighting in this painting is great .

Wonderful job!

Great lighting, details and textures! Lovely picture....

Good painting, what is this thing infront of the jar?

Hi HGW! The area in front of my coffee cup is a fake patch on the canvas with old yellowed tape. About 3/4 of the way through the painting I decided the patch would help the old look of the piece.

Love this. the books are so beautifully done! And it makes me smile ( I noticed the title on the book too). I just want to peel the patch off! 

Thanks Deborah! (Peeling off the patch was mentioned by someone else too.)

These are great, I love studying the light and showdow colors in your work.

Dan

Thanks Dan! I paint in multiple colors via washes combined with glazing liquid, it adds a depth to the area.