I like your color choices. The softness of the background gives so much dimension. I really like this. Thanks for sharing

Christine thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate your comment because it helps me learn as well.

Hi Hildy! Oh, thank you so much for your kind words and welcome! 😊 It's very nice to see this painting with a totally different background, I always like to see different renditions of the same painting. I really like it! The colors in the background are pastel and they allow the main subject to pop. However, there is always one risk you have to keep in mind. When the background is too pale we may get the effect of a cut-out shapes. The main subject may look like it was cut and paste on the background instead of being a part of the whole painting. To avoid that we can add some darker areas matching in tone with the main subject just as you did in some areas: close to the leaves, between the bird and the flower and on the right hand side of the bird. I think that you could have even added a bit more dark areas in other parts of the background, so that the darker tones were not only close to the main subject. The big light area of the background competes a bit with the main subject, although it's beautiful. When it comes to the bird and the flower I think you did a really good job here. The petals have beautiful highlights, the bird looks awsome. I like the range of tonal values you used and simlified washes on the bird's body. Be proud of yourself and rememebr, that you don't have to agree with what I said! Your vision may be totally different. That's why we can admire so many beautiful renditions. Thank you for sharing your work! 🌹😊

Hi Chris thank you for your comments and very helpful suggestions. This is the only way I will learn and improve in my paintings. I’m grateful for your help and so happy that you took the time to see what I cannot see in my painting. I will keep painting and blocking some time later to paint today. Fruit and nut trees are blossoming here in California, it’s beautiful. Thank you : )

Congratulations on your first painting and welcome to this wonderful community.

Thank you Terri for making me feel so very welcomed.