Thomson presented Burns’ Blessing to his brother Ralph as a wedding gift. The detail in the foliage, rocks, and water in the lower part is skillfully painted, and the calligraphy is very fine.

As long as Thomson was employed as a commercial designer, his art showed little or no originality. His layouts were conventional; his colours, saccharine. His only ambition seems to have been making pleasant souvenirs. He was a true amateur artist. However, he learned to work quickly and accurately during these years and, along with the conventions of the decorative Art Nouveau style, absorbed important lessons about colour, composition, simplicity, and appeal.