Harold Speed

[Anwar Shaikh]

Well, I can see the painting on Speeds' book as fairly appropriate. The painting is by John Singer Sargent. Still, it is quite about technique isn't it? So is the book. I've seached around and cannot find an unfinished Harold Speed painting. But the one on the cover shows that essential palette in full effect as well as the rather brushy technique which would be natural if one goes about painting in the manner described by H. Speed. A few little points though. Speed recommends flat long hogs and the marks on the painting were done from these as well as filberts. That Davy's grey seems in play here. Sargent looks to have toned the ground to a light muted sienna before painting which was also alluded to in the book. I think if they were to put one of Speed's paintings up there it would not get the attention it deserves in a sense. The paintings I have found on the Web by Speed are well done and not showcasing technique such as a Sargent is liable to do.