I think that you should practis alot more with more simple things like balls , cubes and so on , then try to practis putting the shading right and practis dithering .
My first 2 submissions were rejected so I did this just to have something new and posted. I have lost most of my oooold pixel art stuff like botbattle icons, Playerworld pics, etc. I have several things in the works but now want to get something animated posted soon. Btw, fruit is not really my thing, skulls are. But I am also a traditional painter so starting out with the pear seemed like a good way to go.
Thanks for the tip :)