Still life photography practise

[Mystgicus]

OK.
I have a couple. There's a thread around, somewhere with a few pen sketches.

You can try bracketing the aperture and compare to get the right setting.

I should've tried that in the first place

 

[Mystgicus]

As for DOF, you can use the online DOF calculator (for free) and set up your shot with a lot more accuracy from the start. Knowing that a table-top composition will be pushing the limits of most lenses, you should plan your DOF carefully. Having some elements OOF is acceptable, but you should use the blur to your advantage, and not allow such a thin DOF as to spoil the shot.

Advice taken! (thumbs up)