back to apples

I've decided for now that drawing before painting might be a good idea. . . 

So I do a painting. While working on it and "I" think it's obvious what it is, he comes in and says, "What is it?" and I say, "What does it look like?" and he says, "An orange? A tomato? A melon? A planet?" WTF??? A PLANET???????

The composition is weird and the apple looks like it was photoshopped on top of the plate.

Then did this version on Monday morning. this was quicker and less of a fuss (also no plate). Not sure what my problem is. I think it's the background. I photoshopped in different color backgrounds just to check.

Here is my very FIRST apple. Proof that I'm not really improving on the apples. . .