December 8, 2025
I owe a painting to this guy.
Steve lives in Albuquerque and is retired military. For grins he likes to attend Old West events, like the one, above, in Tombstone. He mans a booth and represents True West magazine and my books. He assures me he loves this and he doesn't charge me for gas, lodging, or food, but he did ask me for an original painting of Dick Speed firing at Bitter Creek Newcomb in the Ingall's Onslaught on September 1, 1893. Seems like a fair trade. How hard could that be?
Well, okay, in fairness, it has been a few years. When this happens I tend to get massive Lutheran guilt. And when I walk around with that much guilt, I make excuses: Steve's not really in a hurry. We still have time. Remind me, who is Steve Todd?
The Nitty Gritty On Dick Speed
So, here is the key narrative from my Classic Gunfights, Vol. 1, page 52: Outlaw Bitter Creek Newcomb "heads up Ash Street to investigate. As he rides past the town's water well, he sees a man with a Winchester step from the doorway of Light's blacksmith shop. Newcomb overhears the man ask a local kid, 'Who is that rider?' as Newcomb puts his hand on the butt of his saddle gun, the boy replies, 'Why, that's Bitter Creek!' . . .the lawman immediately jerks his Winchester to his shoulder and fires."
That's the scene Steve wants. So, how to attack this? First I break it down to the simplest forms which is what they taught us to do at Art School.
Daily Whip Out: "Dick Speed Breakdown"This is a joke. The above sketch is the last thing I did—this morning!, but it makes me seem more introspective and proactive than I really am. Here's the actual first sketch:
Daily Actual Whip Out: "Dick Speed Takes Aim"And, here's first pass at the final push:
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