Background advice

[Christina Common]

Hello from San Antonio!

Thank you, Tim and Mike, for your responses.

I finally have my computer running again. Here is the painting I am currently working on. There is plenty of work to be completed, but it's the background I'm focusing on. The large dark area to the left of the man is going to be the US flag. This picture is more yellow than the original, but the concern is - should I leave the "halo", tone it down, or make it more of a flat color? I appreciate all the advice I can get! If any composition issues pop up, please feel free to comment!

Tim, I searched David Leffel and I came across a video, but what is the name of the book you are referring to?