Daily Painting Practice- Coffee Grinder

I wanted to sketch this one first to check the composition. Then I started right in with the dry burnt umber/viridian/ultra marine blue background.
My shadow box looks like it has seen better days. I like doing things poking out of the light. It adds more dimension and a sense of the mysterious to the work.
I saved the lettering for last hoping to paint it with fluid clean brushwork. Oh, how we dream. I didn't manage the clean brushwork I wanted so I had to go back in and paint it several times. The struggles continue.... but so does the fun.
ART FACT number 303: YOU CAN NOT WASH A BRUSH IN TEA. As you can see I have not followed my own rule regarding tea cup placement. Tea in front of turps.... not smart. And of course I ruined a good cup of tea.

Coffee Grinder
9" x 12" oil on masonite
SOLD

I like this old coffee grinder we have. We don't use it now, we have an electric one. When you want coffee in the morning every second counts and the electric one is much faster. Of course tea drinkers like the waiting and the preparation. I wonder if there is a difference between tea drinking artists and how they paint and coffee drinking artists and how they paint?

Self Critique time:
I like the composition with the two objects and the shadow and light play. I think the hard and soft edges could have been better. Overall not terrible but I can do better. That could only mean one thing.... more practice.