Boy and birthday cake
 

I thought I would take a break from the weird and the over-emotional and do a straight portrait of my son with his birthday cake. Perhaps I'll finally get round to making the children's books for him I've been meaning to do since he was very small.

It's watercolour, and about 10(w) x 8 inches.

That is really gorgeous I love its loose unfinished quality
Very sensitive, shows the other side of little boys!

Thank-you Margaret. I suppose it is a mother's habit to see the angelic side of her (almost always) rambunctious child.

Children such lovely subjects but at times they can be a handful and in more ways than one. Many artists use children in their art to make a living but it is rare that an artist can honestly represent a child in simplicity. Your work here reminds me of Cassatt and her quest to paint a child in the hands of a mother. Well done.

So beautiful. I love it. Really captures the precious light on your child.

Lovely, Thomasin.
You caught the sparkling eyes of this special moment. I like how you suggested the candles and their light.

Thank-you Mischa, Lisa and Marina. Your comments are really appreciated.

Very nice and spontaneous, Thomasin. I also like the way the warmth of the candle light can be seen in your son

Thomasin,

I love the suspense and impending action. His intent, mesmirized expresion and the light shining on his face, even the set of his mouth, tells us that he is poised to blow out the candles. A beautiful, sensitive, accurate capturing of this moment that everyone recognizes either in their own memory or in their experience with children. Wow, I'm impressed!

This is lovely, Thomasin - sensitively rendered and you've really caught the glow (from the cake and from him as well).