Idea development (Trial and Error)

So I have now scrapped one of my animation ideas that I was working on - this consisted of a shape going up a hill then tumbling back down - was scrapped because of technical difficulties. However I have begun work on my 'Portal' style animation although the colours and style have steered away from Portal itself, I have now attempted to take a more Japanese style though not an overwhelming sense of Japanese style art:

First shot is the tree I've decided to add (among many tree choices). Second shot shows how my 'portal' has changed to fit the style. So instead of being a coloured circle it's now a bit of shade.