Help with a background

[Optimus21215]

Hi all, I was drawing a portrait for a friend and I got stuck on what to put as the background. In the reference photo, the background is pretty bland and I thought I would change it. I was thinking of putting a blue sky in the background but I wasn't sure. Here's both the unfinished picture and the reference photo. I still have to fill in her teeth and add a little more to the kid's face but all comments are welcome. Thanks.

[Kiwi Girl]

With the camera angle as such I am not sure you would see any sky.

Grass would be nice.

[KarenESP]

What a great portrait... what strikes me is an impression of a beach style scene in the background would really set it off that magnificent smile on your subject

[George924]

Nice vibrant color...blue would work nicely, although I would do a crosshatching of select areas to really punch out the color. A subtle blue nothing to strong...

[Candle]

I suppose if we imagine that she is standing on the top of a hill, close to the edge, we could see sky behind her. If she is standing in a flat place, as in the reference photo, then we would see ground and no sky.
Very nice how you rendered the hat.

[gale Prosser Shuba]

Nice job!

[moolane]

This is is a beautiful, vibrant piece already. I'm not so sure it needs a background. If you do one, I suggest a really subtle one as George recommended. Green would really make that red hair pop.

[Jazz]

A Lovely joyful portrait - I too love the idea of a subtle blue background, maybe broken up a bit. It doesn't need to be representative of anything, afterall you are only really looking to complement your main subjects coloring so as to focus all the viewers attention on your two subjects.

That's my amateurish view for what its worth -Keep it simple.

Will you please post the completed portrait so we can see it .

Thank you,

Ali

[Optimus21215]

Thanks everybody for the suggestions. I decided to go with the light blue background on the picture. I think it would've really made the picture pop until someone mentioned to my friend that I was doing the picture and was having background problems (it was supposed to be a surprise). She mentioned to me that she liked the beach so I ended up adding a beach background. I figured I might as will put in what she likes. Here's the finished product. Thanks again everyone.

[George924]

Love the bold stripe and it is placed wonderfully, also the hint of clouds without being direct...Very nicely done

[Candle]

A very nice background indeed!

[douglass]

Well done...the background is perfect!

[kfogelquist]

Great background choice--both the colors and the beach subject are perfect!

Karen F.

[bib]

Beautiful The background is great!