A Rush Artist.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 8, 22 February 1911, Page 7

A Rush Artist.

There has lately arrived in London an American artist, Mr. Beckford, who reckons to turn out 100 genuine oil paint; ings a day, and, what is more, sell them all. He van paint you a masterpiece on any subject you Choose in ten minutes, and copy an Old Master in five. He memorises his subjects down to the last detail, and has one or two little devices which make for speed. Thus, for putting in sky and trees and water he has a brush holding three colours—dark for the deep shadows, then a half tone, and then a high light—so that he can do three pro cesses with one flick of the brush. “Artists who have watched me,” says Mr. Beckford, “admit that it is very tricky and near.” Assisted by a clever auctioneer, Mr. Beckford never hicks customers. It is not so far suggested that the Royal Academy should 'honour this ingenious, if misguided, young man.