It is perhaps due to Sullivan's experiences at the Ecole des Beaux Arts that his ornaments as well as his building are given so much expressive and didactic energy. "His evident haste in wanting to set down the architectural vision before it became blurred even in the slightest degree presumably derives from the method at the French school of working from, and staying as close as possible to, the esquisse." This is an idea he apparently held for designing ornamental elements as well. His sketch for a column capital at the Guaranty labeled "finis" indicates the level of development with which his draftsmen began work. While containing some specific information, the sketch indicates more a painterly composition than a design document.