Boy and birthday cake

[Garth Herrick]

Thomasin,

In a nutshell, you really captured the essence of the moment! This distillation is not an easy feat, and your intelligence as a symbolist shines here. There is an unifying sun to satelite relationship in the brilliantly concise psychological composition of the enveloping warmth. And as Alex points out, the impending action is so well conveyed. The edgy fluidity of the watercolor is perfect too. Bravo!

Garth

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

Originally Posted by Garth Herrick

In a nutshell, you really captured the essence of the moment! This distillation is not an easy feat, and your intelligence as a symbolist shines here. There is an unifying sun to satelite relationship in the brilliantly concise psychological composition of the enveloping warmth. And as Alex points out, the impending action is so well conveyed. The edgy fluidity of the watercolor is perfect too. Bravo!

Oh Garth, how lovely! At the risk of sounding obsequious, I'd like to say your words outshine my little painting. Thank-you so much.

On another note, I tried to paint another child, not my own, and couldn't get it right at all. It was very much a case of going through the motions. When it comes to William, or painting anyone or any theme I love dearly, there is such a strong sense of knowing what I want to achieve and how to do it.

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

Thank-you Carlos. I find watercolours easier than I expected and they are actually more forgiving than is said about them. You can remove areas and rework things and the more you rework the richer the colour becomes and the more spontaneous the brushwork seems.

Alex, thank-you very much for your lovely comments. It seems when I am not trying hard to make an effect or be "great" or try to get better than I was before in a linear way I end up with something that really works.

Linda, thank-you very much for your kind comments. The glow is from my own motherly feelings as well. Why eschew sentimentality or sweet emotion? It's a valid human feeling and if it's there it's there and it shouldn't be denied. (This is me telling myself this, standing up against all the advice I have been given in the past to stay away from such "chocolate-boxy" ideas).

[Sharon Knettell]

Your stuff is not weird and over emotional.

You handle watercolors beautifully.

Yes he is angelic looking, unlike those screaming tots at the checkout lane in the supermarket.

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

Thank-you Sharon. I handle watercolours beautifully on occasion. After making a great many clumsy, ham-fisted attempts, luck, pitying me, comes to my rescue and puts my brush marks where they should be put.

[Julie Deane]

I love your watercolor as well as your other paintings, Thomasin. This one is great - one can almost feel the heat from the candle, and he has that mesmerized look people get looking into a flame. But the action is just below the surface - you just know this little guy is about to burst forth - possibly to blow out the candle?

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

Thanks very much, Julie, for your generous comments.

[Patricia Joyce]

Captured that moment in time. It is lovely how you captured the lighted candles on his face, and his openess and eagerness. It is so sweet and tender. Let me know when the book is published, I want one for my grandchildren!!

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

Thank-you Joyce. I appreciate your kind comments. I will let you know when the book is finished (it may take some time as I am very slow at these things). Thanks for your encouragement - you spurred me on to do some more for it.