David Boyd is represented in the National Gallery of Australia, most state galleries, and many regional galleries as well as many other public collections in Australia and overseas.

The technique of sfumato was created by David Boyd while experimenting in his London studio in 1966. Moving the candle flame over the surface of the oil painting created ‘..weaving, ambiguous patterns..’ that suggests 'strange and fantastic' subjects and worlds, as in The Money Lenders 1968. Inspired by the heady London scene at that time, another sfumato painting London Hippies 1967 can be found on the gallery website. The title ‘sfumato’ was first used by Leonardo da Vinci to describe a misty or smoky tone. David Boyd was the first artist to actually use the flame to create this dramatic affect.

Source: Benko. N, The Art of David Boyd, Hyde Park Press, Adelaide, 1973, p.93 & 134.