Isn't it cossacks... or something? Anyways, I like them... the colours do remind me of Santa... BUT! The painting is awesome and the idea is great... so I'll go give it 8 (voting 10 to bring it up) Good job!
That kind of reaction is always a risk with red and green, I guess. I think the slightly pastel shade of the green helps it not scream Christmas straight off. Maybe it would also help to redo the fur in a cream or light tan colour? The painting is nicely done, I like the highlighting.
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