For Vicky I wanted to try a more exotic colouring scheme, so for an example I turned to parrots.  Not birds of prey, but flamboyantly coloured and a good source for, well, exotic colour schemes :)  So, with trying out an exotic gryphon, I wanted an exotic background.  I put him on a tropical beach, with a fiery sunset, complimented with the withery pillars of darkening clouds.  I was nervous about doing such a bold skyscape, but decided to risk it. I did like how he turned out; shows chances are worth taking :)