AMERICAN ILLUSTRATION IN THE 1950s

[@dftonz]

I love the 1950s art style. I love it a lot.

[@JamesArthurMertens]

What is the name style art?...pls

[@dftonz]

@@JamesArthurMertens I'm not sure. I just google 1950s art or 1950s drawings. Sorry.

[@JamesArthurMertens]

Ok thank...

[@riches3581]

@@JamesArthurMertens Vintage but I'm not sure

[@rainnymph]

I'm not sure but I think Its 1950's magazine illustration! If you guys like this I really recommend 1920's magazine illustration especially parisian and brazilian. It's one of my favourites too

[@wascho]

oh my gosh Pete, you have no idea just how long I’ve been searching for a video just like this. I’ve recently been getting into that “vintage Americana” art style and implementing that aesthetic in my work, but I could never really put my finger on what made it unique. thank you so much for this beautiful video!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thabks for the appreciation, If the video has been a signpost to a way forward in your own development that's a real bonus.

[@joeharley5868]

I was born in 1953, so these artists illustrated the world I grew up in. I can recall seeing some of these ads, and magazine covers, and childrens' books, and Wood and Frazetta became heroes to me in the 1960s. 'Sleeping Beauty' blew my little mind when it came out, and I can see now how the animation art in the Rocky and Bullwinkle show was influenced by these illustrators. Frankly, I was turned off by a lot of the art of this period when I was a boy, (all of those jazz albums!), and still am today. But there's a place for everything. Thanks, Pete!

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for the comment. Those were particularly interesting times on both sides of the ocean.

[@toffer99]

This series is brilliant. I'm learning and enjoying at the same time; surely the best kind of experience. Thank you, and keep them coming.

[@petebeard]

Hello and that's a very heartwarming comment. My mission is very much to educate with a bit more entertainment than the usual dry lectures offered.

[@midnightmosesuk]

That was fascinating. I recognized so many of those illustrations. I was born in the 60's and those styles of art were a part of my early life's backdrop, they were everywhere. Seeing those again, but this time with some history about them, has given me a greater appreciation for them.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appreciation of this video. It's great to know viewers enjoy the content on the channel.

[@patriciahayes2664]

They helped foster my interest in art at a young age.

[@undergroundwarrior70]

I actually met Sergio Aragones in the early 80's in my hometown of Santa Barbara, California, and at that time he was residing in Ojai in Ventura County. He was studying to become an architect at a university in Mexico, and he was doing his cartoon drawings since he was a kid, I do believe. His student friends really enjoyed his cartoon drawings, and also I do believe they suggested he should become a professional cartoonist. So he dropped out of the university to pursue to become a professional cartoonist. His parents were not happy about that. We went out a couple of times to have some beers and eat at a Mexican Restaurant over on the East Side where I grew up. Sergio Aragones is very cool guy. And he told me that he spent hours at his drawing board 7 days a week coming up with new cartoon ideas. He also started a comic book of his wild cartoon characters with Marvel Comics.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your recollection, and what a memory to have of the man. Thank goodness he quit architecture.

[@bubbercakes528]

So many pictures, so many memories. I was born in ‘63 and was amazed at the flashbacks I had watching this video of ‘50’s illustrator’s. I read profusely as a child and the illustrations from children’s books were especially reminiscent. Great work, sir!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the illustrations.

[@beowoofthemoviestar]

Really fun bit of history, great visuals, and melodic music behind a calm, easy-to-listen-to narrative voice. Thank you!

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your favourable rsponse to this video. Its really great to be appreciated.

[@judylearn7971]

Pete Beard is one of my favourite KZbin contributors. His episodes are beautifully done, and informative. Growing up in the 50's, this artwork is full of nostalgia for me. The Provensen's became one of my daughter's favourites in the 80s! Just a rich vein of illustration, wonderfully presented. Thanks for this amazing labor of love.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your complimentary comment about the channel. Such responses really make my day.

[@apresmidi153]

It's so incredible to me that I know, instantly, these works but never knew the names of the illustrators who produced them until watching this (other than Rockwell)...Incredible video!

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation and comment. I hope you'll watch more videos on the channel too.

[@Callmenobody174]

Very rarely do I find any new channels on KZbin that I'm truly excited by. I think I just stumbled across one, here! Excellent!

[@petebeard]

Hello and welcome aboard. I hope that your optimism about the channel content turns out to be justified.

[@poweroffriendship2.0]

The 1950s - 1960s illustration are a lot more creative and avant garde. From realistic painterly-ness to somewhat abstract and simplistic, the decade seemed to be very well-detailed that even Photoshop can managed to replicate that with that style. These kinds of artworks makes me wanna rub my chin just to find my inspiration as an artist, especially when it comes to UPA animation which it's why the art style is still relevant to this day and even well-known animators such as Craig McCracken, Genndy Tartakovsky, and alike took the inspiration from UPA and its legacy. Great essay video!

[@petebeard]

Hello to you and thanks for watching. The work of Jim Flora was a real revelation for me when I was researching for the video. So influential.

[@terryleigh2961]

Fantastic, insightful look at these amazing artists. Excellent video Pete - thanks for your work!

[@petebeard]

Hi and thanks very much for your positive response - it means a lot

[@JamesArthurMertens]

@@petebeard ..What is the name style art?..?

[@petebeard]

Hi...I'm not sure I understand the question.. do you mean who created the title picture? If so it's Gil Elvgren

[@JamesArthurMertens]

@@petebeard yes...ok thank

[@legendhasitstudio]

Ive studied illustrations and illustrators for 55 years and 1890 's to 1960 is my favorite!! Thanks

[@finddeniro]

I have bought a Few Garage sales . Thrift stores..Top of the Dumpsters too.

[@j.m.2198]

I love sketching and greatly admire painting. I always watch this video when I’m seeking artistic inspiration.

[@lord.kagiso3741]

I enjoyed these kind of illustrations when I was a child. How bright the 2000s were for me. I remember I used to always go to the library.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for watching. I hope you'll watch more of the videos in the series.

[@NoName-pi9hg]

Ive been trying to find this video FOREVER! I'M HAPPY I FOUND IT!

[@petebeard]

Hello and that's great news for both of us.

[@The3Dsmash]

Beautifully presented and your choice of artwork was perfect. Thanks for taking the time and care to create such a nice mini-documentary about (my favorite) illustrators!

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciative comment.

[@JohnInTheShelter]

I've been a lover of illustration for decades. Your videos are one of the best treats I give myself when I've worked hard. Great choices, and great music. Wish I could say something deeper or more helpful, but you'll have to settle for being one of my favorite YT channels. Keep up the good work.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment. And I'll take favourable comments in whatever form they are delivered so don't worry about deeper or more helpful. They'll do me fine.

[@shirleykathan-sayess5764]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I don’t think anyone has done so much for presenting illustration in such wonderful depth as you. I think you have created a college course! What a wonderful video. 😊 ❤ SayessDesign

[@SteveStoneYSStudio]

A wonderful, articulate snapshot of illustration. Thank you for sharing your insight Pete.

[@petebeard]

And thanks for your positive response. It's always good to know people appreciate the work

[@dstirl]

Brilliant, Pete. I could watch your videos for hours. Well written, narrated and illustrated. Perfect for a quick relax. Many thanks.

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks a lot for the comment. Such positive responses really make my day.

[@spinnettdesigns]

Thank you for your wonderful videos…love the one on A. Mucha… When I was growing up, we had a book in the house by Andrew Loomis and I was totally enchanted by it: Fun With A Pencil. I loved the zaniness of his drawings (I was born in 1962) and loved the Looney Tunes art as well as Mary Blair’s work and the many wonderful colorful childrens books illustrations from the 50’s and 60’s.…I still buy them when I see them at a thrift store. I am back to drawing (more like doodling) every day and am enjoying it immensely. I could watch all of your videos for hours, I enjoy them so much, and again, thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your generous comments about the channel. It means a lot to me to know that viewers really appreciate what I'm trying to do. I don't know if you have already seen it but Andrew Loomis is featured in unsung heroes 53. Keep on drawing - it's good for the soul...

[@spinnettdesigns]

@@petebeard Thank you Pete! I’ll definitely look up #53. I had to stop watching them because I was transfixed watching one after the other… I took an aptitude test one time that said my best occupation would be « Art therapist » So I’ve never done anything « fine » but I enjoy all forms and mediums of art too, and I’m not worried about becoming proficient but rather, to have the joy. (I play piano and study languages for the same reasons) Looking back, for decades I’ve invited (mostly) young ones over to do art because I wanted everyone to have that joy…as you say, it’s so valuable for so many reasons…to many to count. Lately I’m doing neurographic art and Zentangle, which are helpful for those who feel that they have no « ability » but these help them see that doesn’t matter, they can still produce something pleasant or interesting. Thanks again Pete, I’m so grateful for your videos and I enjoy your voice and diction too 👏👌

[@Nancy-pf6ft]

Your videos are educational and inspirational. I absolutely enjoy the heck out of them.

[@petebeard]

Hello to you and thanks a lot for your favourable response to the channel. Viewer satisfaction is a great motivator.

[@v_vlps]

I love the video, thank you so much. We don't often find this kind of information about specific retro art. I would love to see more!

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@BruiserBailey1]

Congratulations on your fascinating and erudite commentary on an important and somewhat neglected part of culture. Your music choice and relaxed commentary does justice to the subject. I was born in 1950. My parents owned and we lived above a news agency with a very large trade in magazines and comics. By the time I started primary school I had quite advanced reading skills largely due to my voracious consumption of comics. I remember the Classics Illustrated series that blended comic strip with condensed text and Rupert Bear that did the same. By the time I was an adolescent I discovered Mad, Cracked and Help magazines and surreptitiously enjoyed the first Playboy magazines. Pretty painless way to begin an education and it left me with an enduring love of the illustrators of the period.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment. I too was born in 1950 and the more sedentary moments of childhood seem to have been spent reading comics and comic strips, and even the occasional Noddy book, and then trying to copy what I saw. If you haven't already you might enjoy watching the British partner video on the channel too.

[@magenta6]

It was an absolute pleasure to watch this and a visual trip down memory lane to see again the stunning work of these artists. Thank you for putting this together!

[@petebeard]

Hello again and many thanks for the appreciation. Of course it's the British partner video to this one that takes me back to my own early years. Ah the power of illustration...

[@recoveringsoul755]

Even though I am a straight female, for some reason I have always been fascinated by the pinup art style and the pulp fiction art on covers of books and movie posters. It's great stuff

[@petebeard]

Hello and I think balanced open minded humans of any gender or sexual persuasion respond to these images favourably. They are part of 20th century popular art and deserve to have the spotlight turned on them. For my money, they are more engrossing than most modern 'proper' art

[@doxasophosmoros]

That's got nothing to do with sexuality you absolute moron. ... LMAO every straight male and female and etc are into it that's why they use exaggerated surgery filled ( sad,y these days , since the old style doesn't cut it) and photoshopped female models to advertise to FEMALES... since forever. Its just a way to gain attention and the need to keep over doing it. Its nothing to do with sexuality, fool.

[@doxasophosmoros]

That's got nothing to do with sexuality you absolute mor0n. ... LMAO every straight male and female and etc are into it that's why they use exaggerated surgery filled ( sad,y these days , since the old style doesn't cut it) and photoshopped female models to advertise to FEMALES... since forever. Its just a way to gain attention and the need to keep over doing it. Its nothing to do with sexuality, fool.

[@sofiabravo1994]

@@doxasophosmoros I’ve notice as a woman I notice more attractive women than my own husband, you’d expect the opposite but I guess it’s our nature?

[@doraran2138]

You've been criticized by keyboard fascists who should shut up. Your fascination with this art style is readily understandable to anyone who consider people as individuals, rather that the current elites' forced narrow culture collectivsm that brands anyone who thinks for themselves as a 'domestic terrorists' for non mindlessly accepting the elitists' authority that views people in identity groups. Continue enjoying this art form, being an individual, and don't let elitist snobs or their pseudointellectual lackey parrots that think repeating cliches is somehow a replacement for any true intelligence.

[@harperwelch5147]

All these graphic summaries are spectacularly well done and fascinating. I’m watching everything he’s posting on graphic design. What a treat!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your enthusiasm and appreciation of the channel content.

[@djw457]

A good wrap up of this period of illustration.

[@22Phantasm]

This was a joy to watch. Educational and charming without being boring or irritating. Thank you.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for the comment. I strive to be as watchable as possible. I know how much I hate dry 'lectures'. I used to teach the subject and that taught me just how much you need to entertain as well as educate. Thanks again.

[@marquamfurniture]

Brilliant research and commentary. Great choices of music, too. Charles and Ray Eames design work goes hand in glove with the more abstracted/stylized illustrations of the 50s.

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks again for your comment. You are absolutely spot-on about the Eames designs and I was very tempted to open this one out into architecture/industrial/automotive and all the rest. But then I had the sense to rein myself in and stick with the subject I know something about. But it was a fascinating period on both sides of the ocean.

[@marquamfurniture]

@@petebeard Hi Pete -- Indeed tempting to digress as a common thread runs through art and design relationships. This is far afield, but will mention a unique period/philosophy in American painting (1940s-50s.) known as 'Indian Space.' Check out PETER BUSA's abstract art..

[@petebeard]

@@marquamfurniture Hello again and thanks a lot for the information. I was completely unaware of this aspect of modern art. And the connection with the work of Jim Flora in particular is plain to see. An interesting collision of cultures.

[@marquamfurniture]

@@petebeard I see Jim Flora's influence i n YOUR work, too! ;-)

[@lahazard]

Fantastic lesson in so many wonderful memories from my first decade of life. My mom was a firm believer in her children reading and she was constantly bringing my sisters and I new books and while I admit i never took enough time to learn who most of the illustrators were, watching this video brought back many memories of spending hours with these artists. It brings much pleasure to even now, this late in the game, to be able to attach names to memories and pursue a new exploration of them. My mom also loved Jazz and I can still remember spending a lot of time looking at the album covers, being fascinated by the art. Thank you for such an enjoyable trip through the history of illustrators in the 1950's.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your personal reflections about the illustrators featured. And I hope you'll be pleased to know I'm currently working on a history of record cover illustration. And although it's not all jazz albums of the 50s they will of course be a major presence. Some really great images were created in that period.

[@MarcelLWalker]

Thank you for creating this incredibly comprehensive piece. As a comic-book artist, I've had a wide range of influences from well beyond the comic-book profession. You managed to incorporate many of these in this video, and I'm appreciative!

[@petebeard]

Hello (possibly again) - I thought I had already replied but youtube seems to disagree. So thanks a lot for the comment. Inevitably with a subject this vast I left out more than I included but I like to think it's a decent overview

[@MarcelLWalker]

@@petebeard It definitely is! The moment it pivoted to mention Jack Kirby, I was immediately impressed, and connecting the work of classic illustrators and pin-up artists to Kirby's work in romance comics was clever and correct. (Also, I agree with the assessment of Kirby's skills, as compared to other illustrators, which doesn't take away from the man's accomplishments.)

[@petebeard]

@@MarcelLWalker Hello again and I'm glad you approve my observation about Kirby. My comment seems to have angered a couple of his devotees, but it was just a reflection on those particular images.

[@alliehartom5978]

For some lovely reason, this video came up in my recommended feed and I couldn't be happier! It looks like you have so many of my favorite illustrators from my childhood, I can't wait to binge watch all of your videos. New subscriber, you have the perfect voice for narrating these, thank you so much!

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm delighted you've subscribed. And I hope you continue to find content that's of interest.

[@josepablolunasanchez1283]

I always loved that style of illustration. So artistic. I would not pay to go to Louvre, but tell me about a museum with 1950s art, and I will pay the ticket gladly.

[@OkieSketcher1949]

Kid’s books, ads, record covers, etc. This was/is my childhood. Thanks for bringing back a lot of great memories. Some of the books from that era I have had the fortune to read and show to my grandkids, and they love them!

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks for both your recent comments. Grandville was one of the first illustrators I can remember being fascinated by (school library I think), and I'm glad the 50s video took you down memory lane. The British equivalent does the same for me.

[@OkieSketcher1949]

@@petebeard - Years ago I remember an illustrator/cartoonist who signed his works with “VIP” if memory serves me. Some of his cartoons were/are priceless. By chance could you do a video on his works or are some of his cartoons too raunchy? Some, I must admit, were but still funny.

[@glenangelos6025]

Thanks for putting these together! They are wonderful and keep illustration alive!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot. Long live illustration is my motto!

[@berniceoberland7427]

Good job on a tricky era; best I've seen so far of your series.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for the comment.

[@simonward-horner7605]

All extraordinary and marvellous artists! And yet another wonderfully presented examination of their work, Pete. Thanks, as always.

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks once more. There were plenty in there that I didn't previously know about and Jim Flora in particular was a revelation for me. How I got this old without knowing about him is one of life's great mysteries.

[@simonward-horner7605]

@@petebeard Flora's work is wonderful. I hadn't heard of him before either, so thanks for that, too.

[@GigaBrowser]

I've been craving a very particular kind of video. I realized it was 1950s art history, so I searched that. Lo and behold, the exact, perfect video pops up. Such a joy to watch.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your enthusiastic comment. Glad to oblige.

[@riverwildcat1]

Wow, it's like a catalog of my childhood and adolescence. Those images are so much a part of us who lived through them that it's startling. Seeing the early MAD magazine covers is really wild, and there must be a fascinating story behind its evolution from a fringe-insane caricature book to a fabulously funny, well written, and ingeniously crafted comedy-social commentary pillar of the educated and savvy community. Fine work!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for the appreciation. Being British I only knew of about half these great illustrators before making the video, And if you havent already seen it I have a video on the channel titled The Early Years of Mad.

[@riverwildcat1]

@@petebeard I will definitely look at the early MAD magazine!

[@johnbutler5650]

Always a pleasure! Lovely video about one of my favorite illustration decades! Thanks so much!

[@petebeard]

Hello and there was some amazing stuff created in the 50s on both sides of the Atlantic.

[@johnbutler5650]

@@petebeard I very much agree!

[@Lou.B]

Another EXCELLENT film! Scholarly, accessible, and masterfully embellished by the soundtrack! THANK YOU!

[@petebeard]

Hello and your comment is music to my ears. Thanks a lot for the appreciation.

[@--Paws--]

This video is like a compilation of styles and artists that I have tried to emulate and find the name of. It is so inspiring to see this.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for the recent comments. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you're what I would call a younger viewer. On the other hand at my age everyone is young. But if the stuff I'm making connects with a more contemporary audience that makes me very happy.

[@greatpix]

I'm a retired photographer, while not well known, vintage pinup was the style I most associated with. Elvgren and early Playboy photography were my major influencers. Mostly my work with Dita Von Teese when she was in her early 20's led to anyone knowing who I was. I shot 2 centerfolds for Atomic Magazine, a high quality magazine devoted to retro culture. The one featuring Kelley Rarey becoming perhaps my most popular image. Oddly enough I met the current owner of the rights to Elvgren's work and we discussed my doing some work for him but nothing came of it. It would have made my day to have been associated in any way to Elvgren. A modern artist whose work I think should be up there with some of the best is Nathalie Rattner.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your comment, and I must have seen some of your photography because I'm fairly familiar with Ms. Von Teese and her work. And thanks for the tip-off about Nathalie Rattner, of whom I was previouly unaware. I've loved Elvgren's paintings ever since I first saw them in my late teens. I never could understand the greater attention that Vargas seemed to attract.

[@reneezancewoman]

Such a great compilation and journey through some of the amazing work I enjoyed growing up. I was born in the seventies, but I still knew and enjoyed the Norman Rockwell style- it always told a story. And those loose, more abstract children's book illustrations have kept me going back to those beautiful timeless books into my adulthood. Great video!

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation of this video. I think the 50s on both sides of the Atlantic was the true beginning of the 'anything goes' attitude in the media generally and illustration in particular, with no particular approach having greater dominance than another.

[@legendhasitstudio]

Great videos and info / im absessed with illustrations and illustrators

[@Acheiropoietos]

Glad to see my personal favourites Gil Evgren and Frank Frazetta mentioned. Such an enormous breadth of talent in America at this time.

[@petebeard]

Hello and there aren't many who would argue with you about that.

[@moonsdonut5188]

As a modern day adobe illustrator I respect this old art forum alote thanks for the video

[@petebeard]

Hllo and thanks for watching. If you haven't already done so please subscribe so you'll know when there's a new video. And share with friends/colleagues.

[@snowartmom]

Pete, thanks for this great video. I was born at the end of the 50’s. Some of these images and styles may have lingered into the 60’s. I have some memories of this style. These artists were so creative and inspire me to be more inventive as I create art. 😀👩🏼‍🎨

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation of this video. Being British I did know some of the bigger names beforehand but quite a few such as Mary Blair I had never heard of, even though I immediately recognised her work from childhood trips to see Disney movies.

[@stardresser1]

Another brilliant episode. So fun, these i actually remember from my childhood! Thank you so much, so wonderfully done.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm glad you enjoyed it. The 'memory lane' aspect of some of the videos seems to have been an unexpected bonus

[@observationprocess5844]

I really enjoy Al Parker's work. For me, he had the ability to create moving scenes with an important focus on design. I hope someday his work can have more resonance. Thank you for sharing your insight on these wonderful illustrators, your channel is quite impressive and a breathe of fresh air!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment and appreciation. Al Parker also appears at greater length in unsung heroes of illustration 18, in case you havent seen it.

[@clealinden7755]

Stupendous -- a deeply appreciated appreciation of these brilliant modernists, as well as the excellent musical accompaniment!

[@petebeard]

And thanks again. Unfortunately the choice of music got me de-monetized due to copyright, but it was worth it.

[@clealinden7755]

@@petebeard Ooh, ouch! (or "bugger," as I believe you Brits say...)

[@petebeard]

It's a particularly favoured expression here in the uncivilized North. It was my mother's cuss word of choice and I never had the heart to tell her what it actually meant...

[@RickeyLee48]

Thank you for this outstanding video. As a child growing up in the 50’s, we simply took all those images for granted. Cartoons, in particular were our life and we lived it for Saturdays because that’s when there were the MOST CARTOONS of any day of the week.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your comment. Even in Britain American cartoons and comics were our youthful obsessions.

[@BLTV_Photoshop]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@magic3817]

Absolutely brilliant! Informative and entertaining survey of “modern” illustration in a few short minutes. It’s a doorway to a deeper look at the work of the artists mentioned.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your positive response to this video. And encouraging closer examination of these great illustrators work was high on my agenda when making it. I hope you'll stick around and watch others on the channel.

[@ArtfulShelley]

Great video! I think you are making up for the fact I didn't get to go to school for illustration, but commercial art. Love it all!

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for the comment. My own training was in graphic design rather than illustration, but I must say I don't regret it. Both disciplines came in handy in what passed for my career.

[@chasbodaniels1744]

Watching this is a magical experience! It’s pinged so many visual memory cells that I’m overwhelmed.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@MichealSeaghdha]

Fascinating to recollect many of the occasions, in film, TV and the printed media where these contrasting styles have been adapted to such great effect. Thank you for a brilliant explanation and the use of such superb, vivid examples of this excellent artwork.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm very grateful for your appreciation of the video. Thanks a lot and I hope you'll find others of interest.

[@joannekucks4343]

This was very interesting. I was born in 1954 in suburban NJ and I recognized all of these styles from my childhood books and my parents magazines and art. Thank you! 🥰🎨

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your comment. Being English only a few of these remarkable illustrators were known to me before I made the video, and I'm pleased to have discovered some who are now among my all time favourites.

[@Stressbreaker999]

What a great roll call of fantastic illustrators/artists. Lovely video. Inspiring.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm glad you liked the video. I hope you'll watch others on the channel too.

[@DementedDistraction]

I was always enamored with Elgren's work, and he's had an indelible influence on me as an illustrator. I remember as a kid in the early 90s my uncle had an old Elvgren calendar hanging in his garage; I was looking at it so often that he eventually let me have it, and even though it's half a century out of date, I still keep it hanging in my studio and admire the paintings just as I did all those years ago. I hope to own an original Elvgren someday, I've just gotta get time and opportunity to line up, heh.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for the comment. I had to take a look at your own channel and I watched one of your speedpainting videos. To say I'm impressed would be a major understatement. I hope you are getting plenty of commissions worthy of your talent. You'll need to pay for that Elvgren original somehow...

[@chamelioness]

I enjoy all your videos and enthusiastically recommend them to my friends. I appreciate all the research and objectivity in presenting what is typically a very interpretive subject. Thank you for your hard work! A side note, and maybe it's just me, but I find your voice very soothing and often wish that the background music wasn't as loud. Thank you again for your amazing work!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for the comment. Regarding the dodgy soundtrack I'm fairly deaf so getting a decent balance took a while in the early videos, of which this is one example, but I'm told that in later videos the balance is better with the music more unobtrusive.

[@chamelioness]

@@petebeard The background music feels a bit loud only in some cases. Glad that you've figured out a system that works. Thanks again for your attention to detail.

[@craigdodge229]

Wonderful video. I am watching them all, and learning so much! But you need to view more of Kirby. His romance work of the late 40's and early 50's was a little stiff, but his superhero work from the early 40's and then again in the 60's is generally considered by fans and professionals alike as among the most dynamic ever seen. Far more dynamic than the otherwise gorgeous work of Alex Raymond.

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot and I'm glad you approve. Regading the Kirby comment (which others have objected to) I meant it solely about the evidence on screen - it wasn't intended (although I realise it comes across that way) as a critique of the man's career. The trouble with these videos is once they're up they're up and if I remade it I'd lose my views which sadly I need for my ego. Thanks again.

[@yes_head]

@@petebeard Pete, please don't feel pressured to walk back your comments about Jack Kirby. It has to be remembered that back then guys like him were working to intense deadlines for very little pay. Nobody in the comic business could afford a Norman Rockwell (which is why Frank Frazetta became such a rock star) so they made do with artists who may not have had the same technical chops, but who could visually tell an exciting story, and do it on time and on budget.

[@petebeard]

@@yes_head Hello and thanks for the comment. At the risk of sounding prickly (I'm not) I didn't think I was walking the comment back - although I'm not actually that sure what the phrase means. I thought I was trying to politely clarify the point made by the obvious evidence on screen to viewers (especially comics enthusiasts) who sometimes allow their hero worship to cloud their critical faculties. My favourite ever comment was - and I quote - 'Please keep your opinions to yourself. Thankyou.' Priceless.

[@tessellatiaartilery8197]

Brilliant selection. Thank you very much as always for another tour of eye catching fun and skill.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for the positive response.

[@moosefactorymullet]

Thanks Pete! Your voice is soothing, your information is well presented. WELL DONE!!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appreciation. It's very welcome.

[@rexharrison6827]

Been awhile since I checked out your videos, Pete. Once again this is a beauty! A lovely overview of the era. I was surprised at the inclusion of comic book art, but of course the genre is every bit as worthy as the more sophisticated magazine work. Comic book artists suffered under a virtual feudal system of employment made worse by a general negative societal attititude, so it’s a wonder the form got as far as it did by the Fifties and managed to survive at all. In regard to Jack Kirby, I agree he was no Alex Raymond or Frank Frazetta, but his style, as it matured into the Sixties and Seventies became more Expressionistic, even abstract, resembling Grosz, and Kollwitz on the one hand and the Romantic stylings of William Blake on the other. Kirby himself, stated he was primarily a cartoonist, as opposed to an illustrator. As an aside, if you’re going to include more comic book art, PLEASE include English artists from the Fifties and Sixties especially Frank Bellamy!

[@petebeard]

Hi again and thanks for the comments. I think youtube impose a word limit on comments so I could only read as far as your reference to Grosz. My negative reference to Kirby is only about his work at that stage of his career. I actually like the guy's work.

[@petebeard]

Hello again. I realised the full message was on my e-mail too and your points are well made. Regarding British non-Beano comic art that's food for thought for a future video. Meanwhile Bellamy gets a (brief) spot in my British 1950s illustration video.

[@petebeard]

Ooops... I said Bellamy and I meant Hampson. It's my age.

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

I have to tell you ....I and my wife deal in animation art and also comic art so we BOTH really appreciated this. Glad to see someone making an effort to push this art and make people aware of it. Looking forward to watching your other vids.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation (both of you). And I hope you'll continue to find subject matter that resonates with you. I freely admit the channel is flawed, but it is well intentioned.

[@secretscarlet8249]

Lovely! I always wondered about this, but never found any good videos about this. Thanks for making this!

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm very glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.

[@Oveyz]

I was away, but I'm back to enjoying this channel!! Fascinating stuff as usual. Amusing to see how much of these children's books are still en vogue, if only stylistically.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm pleased you're back. And many thanks for the posive comment. Yes, those illustrators have resonated for quite a few years and that style seems to be very popular with younger illustrators.

[@accreditedbythenicemaninth6495]

I’ve always had an aversion to abstract work, especially as a final product. I wish there was much more of the classic art style, but it’s rarity does make it more special when I come across it. I snatch up children’s books for my kids that has a more realistic style.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for the comment. Personally it's the remarkably diverse nature of illustrative styles that I find so fascinating about the subject, but of course we all have our personal preferences. Old age had taught me to differentiate between what I actually like and what I admire or appreciate.

[@blueblood2486]

This video is amazingly well done! I am a huge fan of so many of the artists you highlighted but you showed me a whole bunch I didn't know about. Great stuff man

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation of this video. Quite a few were unknown to me until I started my research for it. I hope you can be persuaded to watch more on the channel too.

[@Playsinvain]

Thank you for this. I think there is so much more that can be said, but at least you framed the topic of this important decade”s imagery.

[@johncollado1151]

Hi Pete... I must have missed this one while viewing your videos. One of these artists, Jack Kirby, got me interested in comic books back in the sixties. I really enjoyed this video, thanks.

[@jeffbrinkerhoff5121]

Wonderful encapsulation of the graphic world I grew up in. Terrific channel, thank you.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appreciative comment.

[@HerroVincey]

What a soothing, voiceover. Well done!

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation, and I hope you'll check out other videos on the channel..

[@Leotagorax]

Excellent! I appreciate that your content is adult oriented, on KZbin people avoid this content for advertising reasons. Thanks.

[@petebeard]

Hello and forgive me if I only reply once to your recent crop of appreciative comments. It's great to know you're still enthusiastic about the channel. And particular thanks for the name Theodor Kittelsen - I was previously unaware of his existence, and it looks like he'll make a worthy addition to the unsung heroes series.

[@Leotagorax]

@@petebeard Although my English is not good, I will continue commenting because this is good for the channel. Your content is of a quality rarely seen on this platform. You have a conceptual understanding of illustration and art that is very valuable. I am learning and enjoying a lot!

[@petebeard]

@@Leotagorax Hello again and your Englsh seems fine to me. I assumed you were English/American or similar.

[@lulubluesband]

Quel plaisir de découvrir un documentaire de qualité, si bien commenté. Merci pour votre travail : j'ai adoré.

[@petebeard]

Bonjour et merci beaucoup pour votre appréciation. Je comprends assez Français pour savoir que vous avez aimé la vidéo, mais j'ai dû utiliser la traduction en ligne pour répondre.

[@lilianmiramontesjr.7550]

Question? Can you write the names of the artists you mention in the video in the description box?

[@charlesegerton2859]

You can try Closed Captioning

[@disgruntledteenager566]

they're at the end of the video

[@doxasophosmoros]

Unbelievably lazy, you are. Or incompetent, actually is a more fitting description.

[@marknelson5929]

Wow - Being an illustrator myself, one of the most informative and fascinating films of seen on this subject. Many thanks

[@petebeard]

Hello and your appreciation is greatly valued. All positive responses are welcome but when they come from actual practitioners it's a particularly good feeling. I had to look - and if you are the Mark Nelson I've just spent some time browsing I have to say that your work is astonishing and I'm hooked immediately by your imagination and skill. It looks like you are getting the recognition your work merits and long may that continue. Seriously, as someone who had a long but undistinguished career in illustration I'm in awe of your talent.

[@marknelson5929]

Dear Pete - I'm afraid to disappointment you, I'm not the 'mythical' Mark Nelson you mention, aside from being an illustrator and graphic designer in publishing. Nice to know someone else shares my illustrative name 'ha ha' and even greater illustrative ability. Many thanks

[@petebeard]

@@marknelson5929 Hi again, and alright, now I'm maybe not quite so awestruck, but given the unstable nature of the business I still admire anyone who can keep body and soul together in a hostile environment.

[@rickcroucher]

What is the harmonica piece that shows up around 3:29? Love the 50's American illustrators of my youth.

[@petebeard]

Hello Rick. The tune in question is titled 'Off Shore and it's credited to someone called Leo Diamond. I must have downloaded it (probably in breach of copyright) from KZbin so a search there should take you to it.

[@rickcroucher]

@@petebeard Thank you. It was easy to find as you said. Those old instrumentals get me in some way. I have his album playing in the background now. Thanks again.

[@garyprice6504]

Superb film- summed up in your last sentence… These illustrators gave us the bedrock of what we see now. They set the bar and opened up the common psyche in how to SEE. I had books full of their work in the 1960s. More liberating than an art school!

[@MaxDuh]

I can't find any good artists with enough background info for my project. I love this style of art vintage 50's illustrations!!

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm glad you liked the video. I assume you're a student as you mention working on a project. I don't know where you've been looking but many of those I feature in the video have a decent online presence. Just google a few and see what you get. Books are pretty useless for a subject such as this.

[@michaelgibson1938]

Thank you for another great episode. Saul Steinberg, a giant of illustration was missed! Hopefully you'll cover him in another episode, he is one of the masters of modern illustration.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot. Yes I know Steinberg was absent, as were many others. The problem making these 'who's who in a certain period' videos is I always have to leave out more than I include in order to keep the videos relatively short. (I'm mindful of the negligable attention spans of the young in particular) Anyway if it's any consolation he does feature - however briefly - in the third part of my series about cartoons. And he is on my list of possibles for a video all to himself. Heaven knows when I'll get round to him though - it's a very long list.

[@michaelgibson1938]

@@petebeard thank you for the response and your well considered video! FYI, I studied illustration and fine art at Cooper union and parsons school of design (77-81). Back then, I was friendly with Peter De Seve who went onto a very successful illustration career with covers for the New Yorker, Disney movies, etc. I moved onto other pursuits (including fine art), but have always loved illustration and very much enjoy your series. Thank you, cheers, Michael

[@petebeard]

Thanks a million for the name Peter De Seve. What an immense talent, and a reminder how remiss I can be about more contemporary talents.

[@twofishes8846]

What a wonderful anthology in less than 15 min. of an art form that influenced everybody. Well done 👍

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for the comment.

[@pinkdolly]

I love these modernist illustrators!!! I can’t get enough of this style!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your comment. There's a video on the channel just about Jim Flora, in case you missed it.

[@tiredguy1112]

I am loving your videos Pete. I have made it my mission to watch every video on your channel :)

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your comment - and commitment beyond the call of duty.

[@ytcarol]

Thank you! This was the decade of my early childhood and I loved the Provensons' illustrations of Myths and Legends and The Fireside Book of Folk Songs. The images were so evocative! Of course I saw many of the other illustrators' works in advertising - not the provocative ones, tho! I love your series of vids, having just discovered your amazing channel.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm glad you enjoyed the video and are finding more on the channel. The Provensens - and quite a few others - were entirely new to me when I made the video, as they just didn't feature in Britain as I grew up. I wish they had, but better late than never.

[@bsuthe]

Wow, having grown up in the 1950s and 1960s, I had little idea of the rich history of advertising and illustration of this period. I will watch this video again and again!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks. If only I could convince all viewers to watch the videos repeatedly...

[@Gealamusic]

This is an amazing video! Hope it gets more views

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot. It's great to get positive feedback.

[@Smallpotato1965]

Wonderful!! Did you also do some research on Dutch illustrators of the same timeframe (I'm thinking Rien Poortvliet and Fiep Westerdorp)? I'm highly reminded of them, and I wonder who influenced who, or if they just evolved along their own lines (my neighbour was illustrator Ton Hoogendoorn (1927-1983), who always told me that his inspiration was Picasso and Karel Appel. There are illustrators that are so iconic that every Dutch person of forty five and older instantly recognises their style and can even name the authors whom they illustrated for, but whose names nobody knows. Carl Hollander, for instance, who illustrated most of Paul Biegel's books, or Dick de Wilde, who seemed to specialise in 'historical' illustrations and thus illustrated Rosemary Sutcliff's, Leon Garfield's and Johan Fabricius' books so wonderfully (the absolute cornerstone of my childhood!). Tonke Dragt, would, of course, illustrate her own books, but also 'did for' a handful others. As mentioned before, Rien Poortvliet was an absolute huge prensence in the illustration world. He illustrated childrens books, did advertisment in his early years but concentrated on his own artbooks (of which his 'Gnomes' was the first and most iconic) later on. Where Rien work was painterly and representative as Norman Rockwell, Fiep Westerdorp was abstract. Her 'Jip en Janneke' black and white book illustrations are iconic, as are her colourful later work.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation of this video. And thanks for the 3 Dutch illustrators, none of whom I was aware of. And sadly that's an indication of how little I know about what I think of as later Dutch illustration. If I tried i would just make a fool of myself. But if it's any consolation I feature quite a few great earlier Dutch illustrators in the unsung heroes series. And when I upload the 75th in the series there will be a list of every illustrator feaured in each instalment so far. And more are in the pipeline too.

[@Smallpotato1965]

@@petebeard Hi Pete! Sorry, took me two weeks to respond.. Wanted to throw some more Dutch illustrators at you, but Real Life intervened, so all I can think of, from the cuff so to speak, are Rie Cramer, Wim Bijmoer, Thé Tjong King, Marten Toonder and Piet Wijn. Rie Cramer's (1887-1977) style has become iconic for children's book illustration during the interwar years. She lived long enough to have people first elevate her and then criticizing her into the ground for being 'too sweet' and 'bloodless', and for a long time, from the Sixties on, she became rather persona non grata, 'art only suited for biscuit tins', but I rather love her for what she was and the timeperiod she represented. Wim Bijmoer (1914-2000) became especially remowned for his illustration of Annie M.G. Schmidt children's rhymes and poetry, especially his rendition of 'the sheep Veronica' (there's a statue of Bijmoer's 'Veronica' in Bijmoer's hometown). Thousands of children (including me) grew up with his images inprinted in their minds, which is what a good bookillustrator-for-children does. Thé Tjong King (1933- ) was born in Indonesia from Chinese stock, so 'Thé' is the family name and he himself is called Tjong King. Is still active as an illustrator of childrens books, but for me he was a Prensence in the Seventies with his comic books, the SF series 'Arman en Ilva' and 'De Twee van Oldenburgh'. He's still active as a children's book artist after a quite distinctive career (won a fair amount of prizes) spanning more than fifty years. And when we speak of comic book artists, Marten Toonder (1912-2005) is a HUGE name. Famous for his 'Tom Poes' comic book series, a sort of modern take on the fox Reynard, since all the characters are anthromophic (sp?) animals and the stories pokes (gentle) fun on pretentiousness in general and certain contemporary things in the specific. His works would often have made up words which became so popular that they have become imbedded in normal Dutch, and certain prhases ('een Heer van Stand' = 'a Gentleman of Class', for example, the prhase Ollie B. Bommel, a kinhearted, not too bright and somewhat pompous Bear of Noble Family constantly refers himself as) have become common colloquialisms. Very tongue in cheek. Because this series started in the Forties and features antrhopomorphic animals, people will often refer to his style as 'Disneyesque', but that's nonsense; Toonder is uniquely Toonder. His style did find an echo in Piet Wijn's work but his in not strange since he started working for Toonder's Studio as an eighteen year old. Piet Wijn (pronounced 'Pete Wine') became very well known as a cartoon artist in his own right and he is mostly and more widely known for his comic book series 'Douwe Dabbert'. But there are no doubt many, many, many more, and I'm not knowledgable enough, alas. Fun rabbithole to lose oneself in, though, lol!

[@petebeard]

@@Smallpotato1965 Hello and thanks for getting back to me with these suggestions. The good news is that Rie Cramer is due to appear in a few instalment's time and Henriette Willebeek Le Mair is also in the pipeline, as are a couple of other Dutch-born illustrators whose names I'm struggling to recall. And I'm very familiar with Marten Toonder's work which I like a lot. But the bad news is that he and the others you mention were all born too late to qualify for the series - the cut off year is 1910. This may seem an arbitrary decision on my part but I had to draw a line (pun intended) somewhere. As it is I'll be lucky and surprised if I live long enough to complete the ones I aready have in waiting. Nevertheless I'm always grateful to discover new (to me) illustrators so thanks a lot for your time and consideration

[@maple1255]

Superb examples of American illustration cart, so well narrated

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation and flattering comment,

[@karaamundson3964]

Wow, this was fascinating! You really know your subject and you make it so interesting. Thanks!

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your recent comments. It's always a pleasure to hear from viewers and especially when they respond so favourably to the content and presentation of the channel. Ilm a huge DM fan too and still have my precious collection of paperback editions.

[@Gealamusic]

Thank you sir for these amazing absolute treasures of research. Such rich and interesting videos! Much appreciated

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks to you for your appreciation of the channel. I'm pleasd you find it interesting.

[@jboch05]

So glad I stumbled onto this channel. Love the content. Keep it up

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation and subscription.

[@alexwithd]

Awesome video. Didn't know I loved this period so much. I learned so many new names! Thank you for making this (a few years ago) :-)

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm very pleaed you found the video and enjoyed it. Some personal favourites of mine in there.

[@johnAsanz]

I've just discovered your channel, it's wonderful. I have always been a fan of the graphic work you talk about from about 8:00 mins in, so I enjoyed this video a great deal and just wanted to thank you for it. Thank you! I can now investigate further. Might be a good book on this particular period??

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment. I don't know of any decent books covering this period, although I'm sure there are some on specific illustrators. If you like the modernist stuff there's a video dedicated to Jim Flora on the channel you might like.

[@johnAsanz]

@@petebeard I will be working my way through all of your videos, thanks for the tip, I will start with that one.

[@divyajnana]

Your videos are works of art in themselves, thank you.

[@petebeard]

ello and thanks for that overwhelming vote of confidence. I'm very grateful.

[@nolilo3216]

tysm for the video, love learning about art from different times :)

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot. As an old person it took me a while to work out what tysm stood for.