Background

Following on from the idea of trying to achieve backgrounds, i looked at Gustave Dore (cheers Chiu) which is packed with detail and atmosphere. Another option could be simplifying it, so to only include the most important parts of the narrative. Kent Williams' The Fountain does this, using just an outline of supporting characters which still creates depth and covers that awkward blank space but keeps focus purely on the subject.
hope this is useful nay