Hi, Jeanine,
I'm looking forward to watching this progress. Regarding the background, I still see the #1 as a focal point. Try to decrease this as much as possible. Peggy Baumgartner"s "
Fancy Lady" might be a good post to review on keeping the values low in backgrounds. I know you want to keep the other man there to help explain the polo theme of the painting but since that man is so large he attracts attention. I'm no pro, so take my suggestions as comments only, (but check Fancy Lady out anyway, just cause it's a wonderful painting).
Jean