Better Robin?

He looks a friendly little chap. Again, this would make a lovely card - perhaps with a little white paint sprayed from an old toothbrush to create a bit of snow. Your Christmas card for 2012 to family and friends perhaps?

thanks so much Julie :-) an old toothbrush and white paint............ :-p love that idea :-) i think i may try that :-) thank you :-) i normally have a nightmare when it comes to christmas cards......... i have been painting them individually to people........... it looks as though people do not do that now........ they do one card and then scan and print out many? well i live and learn :-p

Rebecca - if you like the idea of spattering I suggest that you practise on a bit of scrap paper to get a feel for how heavy the spatter is before trying it out on a completed painting. One big tip - when you spatter paint from a toothbrush always pull your finger across the bristles towards yourself. If you push your finger down the bristles away from yourself you will end up with beautifully sprayed clothes! I usually cover the areas of my painting where I do not want spray with scraps of paper while I am wielding the toothbrush! It is great fun! As well as snow you could use it to create the effect of small flowers in grass or a gravel effect on ground. I used spattering on the ground area of my swan painting.

hmmmmmmm now that's helpful and useful to know Julie, yes, :-) i am pleased you advised me to cover the surrounding area before wielding the toothrush :-p i do wear a long apron but i do still get covered when using pastels for example :-) i have not used the technique before because of mess making, i have seen the effects of it, but did not think a toothbrush could do it :-p thank you for taking the time to explain :-) i think i may practise small flowers, perhaps if i do a scene, i should mask off the rest of the painting, otherwise i could ruin it? thanks so much :-)