Blue – so natural, so not
I was inspired by Merryl Saylan to use milk paint on wooden fruits. It is a self-priming paint that can be applied in layers and cut back with sanding.
Federal Blue was not on my list of likely colors for pears. These have a blue base, with some blue mixed with buttermilk sponged on top. Amazingly, the blue and yellow paints did not combine to form green. I liked the frosty feeling, so I used a pewter metallic paint for the stems.
Thanks to Merryl for the suggestion, and to Ben at Woodcraft for giving me a sample of Federal Blue traditional milk paint!