Unusual techniques

Last week I picked up my Bear & Fish embroidery again and started stitching a bit of the Bear's sweater. I'd rather stitch colorful flowers, stormy skies or furry paws but the bear needs a shirt too. First I was planning on doing my usual long and short stitch and shading, horizontally following the shape of the bear's arm and body. But then I though I'd add a few vertical stitches on top of the horizontal stitches. I think they give the shadowy areas, from a distance, a lovely blurry almost oil paint effect…

… and a textured look when seen up close.  Not a technique you will find in an Embroidery Handbook but it works for me!