Mulled Wine with Pine Cones

A steaming mug of mulled wine sits on a wooden table with pine cones, orange slices, cinnamon sticks and evergreen sprigs. Candlelight adds warm reflections to the glass and the surrounding wood.

The main subject gives the image a clear starting point. Begin with the strongest edges and separate nearby colors before joining smaller details. Repeated shapes become easier once the broad layout is in place. Save quiet background areas until the foreground has a firm frame. At larger piece counts, changes in texture and light help distinguish pieces that share a color.