Close looking
An exercise in ordinary textures
Look at a surface without needing to name it immediately.
Start with contrast
Place two everyday materials beside each other: paper and cloth, a leaf and a stone. Notice how their edges differ. One might feel smooth at a distance and unexpectedly uneven close up.
Draw a small section
Choose a tiny area and draw its lines slowly. The drawing does not need to be good. Its purpose is to hold your attention on a detail that would otherwise disappear into a quick glance.
Write fewer adjectives
Instead of calling a surface interesting, describe where its pattern changes. Specific words give your future self something to recognise.