The flame robin is one of our beautiful, colourful small birds in Tasmania. Although we do not get them in our garden, a friend, Natalia, in nearby Wilmot has resident, chubby, “robin red breasts”. Natalia, took the photo from which I have painted this robin in watercolour. I am lucky that she is so good at taking clear photos and has permitted me to use her image for reference. Still a little twigging to do on this work in progress, and the decision on whether to create a background (if I do I usually design my own, often incorporating our Australian eucalypts). What do you think?
No background emphasises the shapes of the negative spaces and offers no competition to the subject, so the viewer focuses solely on our little feathered friend.
Background gives a sense of place, can lead the eye on a journey and offers more interest in colour and design.

Watercolour, flame robin, a work in progress