THE PECULIAR PICTURES OF MERVYN PEAKE

[@trevor_7723]

I appreciate how you addressed his mental illness without dwelling too exclusively on it. It was certainly tragic but it shouldn't have to define him

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the comment. I feel obliged to at least mention any misfortunes in the lives of those I cover but I do my best not to sensationalise.

[@Tanzotown]

No one loves ads, but I like the ones here, as well as the increasing numbers in the watched list because it means that perhaps you are getting at least some small recompense for this heroic effort of yours . Poor Peake….one cannot help but mourn for the great pain that goes into so many of these incomparable life works.

[@shirleykathan-sayess5764]

What a phenomenal talent. Thank you for adding the final pictures rather than just ending the video with Peake’s death.

[@tiredman4540]

Peake is one of the most imaginative talents, in both illustration and literature. And incidentally, I'm so pleased I've discovered this little channel - it's so much fun!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for commenting. I hope you'll stick around for more.

[@joseffinat966]

@@petebeard ( weerhaak) ja Pete er is veel leed en schade aangericht door de jaren heen door haat maar is liefde dan niet meer aanwezig ,de Bassleutel 🫀om te spannen ; muzieksleutel die de plaats van de F aanwijst , een bonkend hart 💓 die de ritme 🎶 aangeeft ,zeker is ontstellend veel gruwel aangericht ,maar lost het gedreun en gebulder van kanonnen het op, verzacht dat de pijn van verlies of kiest men voor een bonkend hart die het ritme aangeeft dat men leeft in 💓 liefde en vrede laat ons deze weg bewandelen zoals gezegd is uiteindelijk is liefde het sleutelwoord het resoneert in alle hoeken van deze wereld in muziek 🎶 en kleur de regenboog een belofte die God met de mens heeft gemaakt ,het is nog steeds aanwezig het woord ,laat het niet vertrappen als geschilderd op een zebrapad ( zwart wit) maar kleur het woord hoog als een boog die de Hemel draagt waar zachtjes laat regenen die tranen meedragen van al het leed maar waar wij ook zijn aangesteld als rentmeesters,ja wij zijn elkaars broeders-hoeders wie een mens red,red de hele wereld laten wij niet dezelfde weg bewandelen waar schanddaden het voor het zeggen hebben , maar de brede weg waar Yeshua ons is voorgegaan vrede geef ik U, vrede laat ik U ,laat vrede niet verregenen ,alleen een bonkend hart 💓 vol ritme geneest alle leed in liefde dat is de sleutel die Yeshua ons in handen gaf ,Trouw, hoop, liefde de drie eenheid ,start de ritme 🎶 in muziek die ieder kent ( Vera Lyn ?) hope OFF Glorie 🙏

[@mothratemporalradio517]

@@petebeard hi Pete, i haven't watched this yet but i have an odd random question of sorts. I haven't watched the video yet, but noticed the warning concerning this artist's demise. Earlier today i was thinking about a few different things - the effect of ergot poisoning on Flemish painters, and the fact that a lot of artists considered famous today were not recognised as great in their lifetime, or starved in a garret and what have you. Sometimes i find the macabre oddly comforting. Anyway, i have an odd question of sorts which is to ask whether you have noticed any patterns concerning fortune, including extrinsic factors like wars. That sounds like it's too broad, so i'll try and refine it somewhat. Do you think that artists attracted towards surrealist work tended to suffer a worse demise? That's one thing that popped into mind. I'd like to think the answer is no, partly because i enjoy surrealist art.. But i wonder. I'm also wondering if the biographies of artists that you cover that do involve a relatively pleasant outcome are in the minority, or not really? And any other interesting if morbid factors. Nasty toxins in paint. A popularity of absinthe amongst a bohemian set. That kind of thing. It's something i've thought about quite a lot previously after reading various artist biographies (sometimes also scientists and inventors, and also writers). I'm sorry if it's too random a question! Also, my apologies in advance if you reply but i am unable to respond promptly. I'm on mobile on the app and have a bunch of technical problems. Cheers! PS Thanks for featuring artists who in some cases i either don't know already or i recognise their work but not their name, etc. Wishing you the best of health!

[@petebeard]

@@mothratemporalradio517 Hello and thanks a lot for your comment, and the issues that it raises. It isn't anybody's idea of a random question, and I actually checked a few sources about this some time back because of similar concerns. And as far as I can tell artists and illustrators are not really any more likely to end their own lives than anybody else. And there doesn't seem to be any increase in the more imaginative painters such as surrealists. Of course that doesn't mean that most ended their lives happily, and somebody a lot smarter than me observed that the only stories with happy endings are the ones that haven't actually finished. Depressing but true. Again, those who die young through accident or failing health are about in line with the expected for the times they lived in.

[@sherzig]

exquisite! As a devoted Peake fan, i was delighted to see drawings I had not come across before, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your favourable review of the video. And I'm glad I showed some work you hadn't seen before. Peake is nothing like as appreciated as he deserves to be.

[@reginaldforthright805]

They’re in such low resolution they may as well be mimeographed candy wrappers! 😂

[@Ellesmere888]

Thank you again Mr. Beard ! Indeed, a most unusual and very talented artist. A great variety of styles.

[@petebeard]

Hi and thanks. I must admit I thought he might be a bit too 'niche' but so far the video's performing well.

[@christopherpearson7133]

Dear Mister Beard, I happened upon this series this morning quite by chance and am enthusiastically watching every episode. I have always been a fan of book illustrators and feel they are much overlooked as brilliant and inspired artists/ painters. Thank you for giving them the serious consideration they deserve and for sharing it with your informed commentary.

[@linzertube]

Your artist presentations are wonderfully packed with interesting facts about the artists, and beautifully laid-out examples of their life’s work. I enjoy them immensely.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your flattering comment about the videos on the channel. It's a great pleasure to know that viewers are getting something out of the work of these illustrators.

[@sadlytemporary4143]

I absolutely adore what you do with this channel, I constantly discover amazing 'new' works here

[@petebeard]

Hello and that's really good to know. Positive feedback keeps me motivated.

[@joseffinat966]

@@petebeard 🥰🤗 dat weet jij ook wel 💓

[@Ftc.6]

Like your content, comfy voice over..unique is appropriate, this is top notch work

[@petebeard]

Thanks and I must say I like the idea that my voice is comfy. That's not how it sounds inside my head.

[@jobersudyobodou9362]

And the music is perfect. None of that annoying algorithmically-generated noise that everyone is using.

[@thehumancanary131]

Mervyn Peake.....what a blast from the past! I remember as a 14 year old schoolboy being lent "Gormonghast" by a schoolfriend - it was instant adoration! We read the whole trilogy time and time again, and doubtless it contributed - and expanded - our knowledge of English, and introduced us to extraordinary perspectives and insights relating to those adults we interacted with. I will never forget him - and the friend who introduced me to Mervyn Peake is now a retired doctor of chemistry. Would that other boys seek Mervyn out - it may make them forget all about TikTok and Facebook!!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for the appreciation. I'm pleased to see that there seems to be a small upturn in the fortunes of this video, but I have to say that virtually all the favourable comments seem to be from what might be called mature viewers. I don't think the tiktok generation has the intellectual or aesthetic capacity to comprehend the likes of Peake, unfortunately. De-evolution before our very eyes.

[@nct948]

@@petebeard you are harsh to the youngsters, but probably right too lol

[@smithdream]

Mervyn Peake was a creative genius. Good overview.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for watching and I'm glad you're an admirer of his work.

[@Azidust]

Yes he was

[@nomadartlife]

Wow - thanks for this Pete! I have been a massive fan of the Gormenghast trilogy for years - read it countless times - but was completely unaware of Peake's prolific illustrations. I am now off on a hunt for some of the books. Great video.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I've had a few similar reactions from those more familiar with the words than the pictures. I came to him from the other direction and I've always admired his steadfast refusal to align with any particular style. Good luck with your book hunt.

[@TheMarkEH]

Another wonderfully insightful and enjoyable overview. Thanks Pete.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks again. Positive responses mean the world to me.

[@DevonExplorer]

I saw your Edmund Dulac video in my recommended list today and just watched it - and I subscribed, lol - and now just watched this one. Brilliant! I not only loved both but this one took me right back to when I attended art college in 1965. I was introduced to both Mervyn Peake and Erik Satie's Trois Gymnopedes for the first time, and hearing that music along with Mr peake's work was hugely nostalgic. Thank you, Pete. :)

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your positive response, and for subscribing to the channel. It's very rewarding to know that viewers enjoy the videos.

[@doughaug]

What a wonderful and inspirational video of an amazing talent. He packed more into each year than many of us do in a lifetime. Thank you for reintroducing me to Mr Peake.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your comment about this video. In making it I found out a lot I hadn't previously known about him.

[@dbensdrawinvids8390]

Some brilliantly dark pieces in here. I love it. Thank you so much for showing us this.

[@petebeard]

Hello again and I'm glad you liked the video. A very distinctive and disturbing talent.

[@cofeeval]

What a pleasure to be on KZbin, just for your videos! Thanks so much

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation of my work. It's good to know viewers enjoy what I'm doing.

[@timgarrett203]

Not sure how KZbin came to recommend your channel but I’m glad it did. I am greatly enjoying your content and video style!

[@petebeard]

Hello and I have no idea how youtube and its algorithm - whatever that is - works at all. But I'm very glad it brought you to the channel.

[@eliduvall1]

Mr. Beard! Just saying hello. Hope life is treating you well. I'm a designer/drafter (mechanical/bio-pharma). I wish I was better at drawing lines that turned into pretty pictures like all the people you cover and not huge monstrosities of stainless steel that get stuck together. These videos are some of my favorite on the tube. Keep it up :)

[@petebeard]

Hi and thanks very much for your support. I hope you'll stick with the channel between your stainless steel duties.

[@yahuijavouhey2555]

Thank you so much, I always learn a lot from your video. Feel so sad yet also encouraged by artist, he suffered but he painted and created !

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation. Yes, Peake's story isn't a happy one but we should celebrate the work he created.

[@JUANS3F]

I thank you so much for your work Sir !!! i has carried me through very tough times. God Bless you

[@petebeard]

Hello, and I'm very grateful for your comment. If my work has been any help to you at all I'm proud of that.

[@CountProsper]

Excellent. Astute commentary. Moving.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your response to this video.

[@MuseionArt]

A very fine profile of Peake. I knew his Gormenghast novels better than his earlier work. Just found your channel and have been binge watching your Unsung series. Very inspiring.

[@petebeard]

Hello to you and many thanks for your positive response to the video and the channel.

[@theinkpirate2710]

Thank you for this episode, brilliant artwork and amazing life story

[@petebeard]

Hi again and thanks. An unconventional approach to inking I reckon. But oddly compelling.

[@theinkpirate2710]

@@petebeard for sure, I find these episodes really teaches me a lot and some of the artist and the techniques they use find it's way in to my work.

[@louiscypher7090]

Continuously bringing to the forefront otherwise unknown artists. Thank you.

[@beatricetreadwell5785]

Thank you so much for another thorough, beautiful and sensitive discussion of another amazing artist! Your videos are a gift.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for both your recent comments. Appreciative feedback such as yours is a real shot in the arm for me.

[@etiennem.3191]

I´m grateful that i got to peek at this man life and work through a magnificent storyteller and art connoisseur. Thank you Pete Beard.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your flattering comment. It makes my day when viewers respond so favourably.

[@YggdrasilAudio]

Thank you for this video! And thanks for solving a personal mystery of mine. I've owned a copy of the first Gormenghast books for a few years and always wondered who made the cover art. I guess Peake was so well known at the time that they didn't feel the need to credit him for the illustrations as well.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks. It could also be that the lazt/indifferent publishers couldn't be bothered with a credit. It happens.

[@aldretaldret4310]

C’ est absolument merveilleux. Le travail est remarquable dans les moindres détails. Beauté formidable de chaque dessin. Quel grand artiste. ❤ Pour moi, aussi important que Picasso, dans notre inconscient collectif. ❤ The British Museum should expose everything about him. He deserves a lot of attention and a tribute, a tribute, yes. Mr Peake, we love you. Maybe you will receive this thought from where you are now. Maybe, after all. We love you unconditionally and beyond measure and it is good… To tell it. So… As soon as possible in the British Museum and I will come. I wish it deeply ❤❤ Vous êtes la fierté de votre grand pays. You are the pride of your country.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your comments about the Peake video. I agree totally with your evaluation of his talent. Unfortunately he is one of many British illustrators who is almoost totally ignored in his own country. We should be ashamed of ourselves.

[@clindsay8362]

As a long time admirer of Peake, I really appreciated this video. In his lifetime it seems no-one knew what to do with his genius. The world failed him. At one stage he was employed to illustrate the then new invention of the cathode ray tube, squeezing his vast capabilities into representing streamline and clinical visuals. I personally think he was completely misunderstood as an artist. The Gormenghast trilogy represents alienation on a grand scale, and although the last book was supposed to be unfinished the whole thing is a sad but great journey of determined struggle against an overbearing system of societal expectations, so he succeeded in expressing his own reality through it.

[@petebeard]

Hello again Catherine and thanksvery much for your insight. I didn't know that about the cathode ray work, but it seems to me he was always on the perimeter of things, and if I'm honest although I admire his work immensely I struggle to say I actually enjoy it.

[@snufkinhollow318]

Thank you so much for this exploration of, in my opinion, a very under-rated artist. I am a longtime admirer of Peake's work and there were a number of images here that I had not seen before and, like you, I was previously unaware of the 'Letters from a Lost Uncle' work. I'm delighted to have discovered your channel and could not have wished for a better subject for my first video. Thank you again.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation. I hope you'll continue to find at least some of what else is on the channel of similar interest.

[@bryanroland9402]

Always loved his writing but hadn't seen much of his drawings until now. What a talent! Thanks Pete.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I think that's the case for many of his admirers. A very singular talent in both his pursuits.

[@bryanroland9402]

@@petebeard Hi Pete. Thanks for replying. Obviously, your thing is illustration but fantasy art too and I was wondering if you are familiar with Zdzisław Beksiński's work. I was impressed when I first saw it. He led an interesting life too. Might be worth a video.

[@petebeard]

@@bryanroland9402 Hello again and many thanks for the suggestion. I was completely unaware of his existence and it's clear to see he was a gifted and highly distinctive artist. Sadly it's the 'artist' bit that would lead me to not feature him, other than in passing in a relevant as yet unmade video. He probably should have featured in the Origins of fantasy video though. It does seem that on casual inspection at least he was a 'proper' artist rather than an illustrator and I'll need to take a more comprehensive look at his output. But at the very least you've introduced me to a major talent so thanks again for that.

[@bryanroland9402]

@@petebeard Glad you liked his work anyway.

[@bryanroland9402]

@@petebeard P.S. I'm not very clear about where fantasy art ends and surrealism begins but check out Remedios Varo, although she wouldn't be a candidate for a video. And Mark Bannerman too. I'm pretty sure he's done some illustration work.

[@stevelyons3347]

That was very interesting and we'll researched. I've always liked Peaked work and you've done him proud. Thanks!!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appreciation.

[@stevelyons3347]

Should be "PEAKES"!!

[@petebeard]

@@stevelyons3347 Don't worry about it - I do similar all the time, and so dies everyone else it seems. Spot the deliberate mistake.

[@plumbthumbs9584]

A moving presentation, the music selections are excellent. Thank you so much Mr. Beard, I was very touched by Mr. Peakes' work and life circumstances. I appreciate the care you took in presenting it.

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your appreciation of my video about this much under-appreciated man (as an illustrator at least). Sometimes there's no avoiding the more painful aspects of my subjects' lives, but I do try to do it with at least a little dignity.

[@renoldojeffrey4653]

I love these a lot! Thank you for your continuous voice to illustrators and illustration alike

[@petebeard]

Hello and it's very gratifying to know people appreciate the videos.

[@damogranheart5521]

I have seen only a few of his works and that many years ago. What talent and imagination was held in that one body! Thank you for presenting this opportunity to us!

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm particularly pleased you appreciate Peake's work. He doesn't get anything like the attention his work deserves.

[@damogranheart5521]

@@petebeard Hope your week goes well and that you find joy in the little things!🦋🐈‍⬛🖖🕊

[@danielwebb4128]

I love Peake's writing, and had seen a few of his illustration, but have never seen many that you have collected here. Wonderful! Thank you very much for sharing this.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I was in the reverse position. I had read only the trilogy but have loved his drawn work since my youth, a distressingly long time ago.

[@toni3323]

I chanced upon your channel Mr. Beard and what a beautiful find. Thank you for your creative contribution. Only recently, I got to know of Guy Delisle and enjoyed his illustrations. Your channel brings to life so many others I didn't know of and I'm really enjoying learning more. Big thank you.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your favourable response to the videos. It makes a real difference to me. And thanks also for pointing me in the direction of Guy Delisle - a very interesting and distinctive illustrator. I tend to be obsessed with the past so contemporary talents such as this often pass me by. Thanks again.

[@toni3323]

@@petebeard You're welcome :). And I'm looking forward to more of your videos. I am not very familiar with the world of illustrations and illustrators. However, It has always fascinated me. I also find Hayao Miyazaki and his work at Studio Ghibli very beautiful.

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

My mother was a widowed housekeeoer in Old Brompton Road and brought me up alone just 50 yards from Mervyn Peake's house in Drayton Gardens. Iobviously didn't know this as a ten year old nor even when I first found Titus Groan at nineteen bu have seen the plaque since. I have read and re-read the Gormenghast books many, many times and will take his 'Alice' illustrations over Tenniel's any day. I've just heard you mention Sark and am tempted to re-read the tragically underrated Mr Pye. Mervyn Peake is one of those illustrators who can be shown to demonstarte that illustration is undeniably art too :-)

[@petebeard]

Hello again, and I absolutely agree with you about the quality of Peake's work, both written and drawn. What I like about his Alice stuff is that unlike virtually everyone else who has illustrated the books peake just goes his own way with his own unique creepy vision.

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

@@petebeard The Tenniel pictures are great but they tend to make the Alice books funny, and dreams - even good dreams - are weird before they are funny. Also, being a fan, I can buy into a world behind and beyond the drawings. The Tenniels are a bit like Punch cartoons.

[@briza2022]

Such a sensible life history. Drawing and coloring and puzzles become important activities when I was in a psychiatric stay for a month. It's amazing the relief that they brought in me during those incredibly difficult times. I can't imagine how scared he must have been considering his forced participation in war. A pleasure to listen to your videos. ⭐👍

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thabks for your comment. Sadly Peake wasn't the only illustrator to suffer from internal storms - and if watching the videos has helped you then I'm very pleased about that.

[@briza2022]

@@petebeard thank you ⭐

[@TheSabuArt]

Thank you for continuing creating such interesting and informative videos, this series is really precious Hearing the journey of all these artists, with their many blessings, tragedies and twists of fate really gave me a new perspective on life and life as an artist, thank you for your work.

[@petebeard]

Hello again and you are more than welcome. It's really motivating to know viewers appreciate what I'm doing.

[@nilo70]

Another amazing episode of Artistic history that I never knew existed. Thank you Sir for Educating me.

[@petebeard]

Hello and that's my pleasure. More people should know about this highly creative man.

[@mollydooker9636]

I came to Peake through the Gorgmenghast trilogy which is stunning work of imagination and literary craft. I had no idea he was an equally gifted artist. Thanks for this Informative post. I will look into his other illustrations. What an amazingly talented man he was.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for the comment. I started out with the trilogy too, but quickly found his drawings. Addicted immediately.

[@IanClark-The-Classical-Canuck]

Thank you for this posting, and for your unique KZbin site. People like Mervyn Peake should live far longer creative lives than the tragically few years he was permitted. They are needed. Do keep up the good work.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation of the channel, and this video in particular.

[@DanielRico77]

Magnifico trabajo! felicitacio0nes. Saludo desde Argentina :)

[@petebeard]

Muchas gracias mi amigo.

[@mandolinic]

I love looking at Peake's work. Witty, amusing, amazing and astonishing artistic talent. Perhaps someone will republish his books at an affordable price...

[@petebeard]

Hello and it would be nice to think so. I tgink the novels are all still in pribt, but that doesn't do much for the drawings, unfortunately.

[@mandolinic]

@@petebeard I check amazon yesterday. A hardback reprint of Captain Slaughterboard is over 100 pounds! To rich for my blood, I'm afraid.

[@petebeard]

@@mandolinic Hello and following your bad news about peake's work, I had a look on Amazon and there are quite a few books available and some quite cheap. But then I realised you are probably not in the UK so these books may well nor be availabel. I don't know if it's possible to get amazon stuff from other countries, but if it is I bet it isn't cheap.

[@mandolinic]

@@petebeard Thanks, Pete. I am in the UK so I'll look more deeply and see what I can find. Thanks again.

[@judyparker8459]

Watched this one twice in a row. Especially love the 'choreographed' dancing women, and a few men, line-dancing down the paper. Where did this vision come from, you have to wonder... I admire both his diversity and his irrepressible drive to keep drawing. And his willingness to accept that it's okay to try out really different ways to draw as he thinks of the ideas - not to feel he had to stick only to 'his style'. Perhaps it was publishers who drove him batty (a vision I'm imagining him grinning at) by their insisting he's only worthy of one and that was all they'd accept. Not unheard of. One more thing: Yes, you do have a wonderful comfy voice. It's very much appreciated!

[@petebeard]

Hello again, and I like that picture too. It reminds me of the line work of Nicolas Bentley, who will be featured in a future unsung episode. What I don't know is the poem the image illustrates - I can only assume it's a piece of typical absurd whimsy. And thanks a lot for the compliment regarding my voice-overs.I'm blushing.

[@judyparker8459]

:D Your (I'm guessing?) Lillipudlian lilt does no harm as well. Do you say 'grotty' like George did? :) And as long as I'm here, did you record the music for this episode? The Moonlight Sonata is especially lovely imo. So many, even great pianists, can't do better than a mostly mechanical version that stops cold the soul of this work. Whoever played this one understood it had one.

[@petebeard]

@@judyparker8459 Hi and it's Mancunian but that's pretty close (30 miles or so). And I have no idea about who played the music - whenever I can I try to find music that won't get me in trouble over copyright and many of the sources don't even credit a particular performer. It's one of life's eternal mysteries (to me at least) that I've spent my life to date generally ignoring classical music but using it for some of the videos has actually led to a less philistine appreciation of its charms.

[@judyparker8459]

@@petebeard Have you yet to be charmed by the most beautiful classical or otherwise piece of music ever written? "Bach's Air Suite No. 3 in D major" covers every base of Love known to humans. Stay safe, you rowdy Mancs these days - know that I applaud your rising up against the 'superpower' profit-mongers!

[@petebeard]

@@judyparker8459 That's a bizarre coincidence. I downloaded that very piece along with others by Bach a few days ago to store with my other music files. I knew it but didn't know what it was called or who composed it. Hopefully I'll find a good home for it in a video. Thanks for suggesting it.

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

Very eye opening! My only experience of Peake was his self illustrated Gormenghast books (I remember thinking "wow, this guy should've been an illustrator!")... I had no idea how many books he wrote and illustrated! Humorous but with an unsettling tone (Reminds me of Steven Kellog's "Gwot!", funny-ish cautionary children's stories, his illustrations always scared the bejeezus out of me... so, why did I keep checking it out of the library? 🤣)

[@Bloodslunt]

Superb video. Peake is my most cherished writer. I liked to think of myself as a fanatic, but after watching this video I've realised I need to up my game. You mentioned a few gems I had yet to come across. Much appreciated!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appeciation. I think almost all his writing is in print so you will probably fill most of the gaps and get great pleasure from doing so.

[@davidjoelsen3399]

I am impressed with your detailed and genuine effort to represent the artists person and work. And you do it with care of a admirer rather a critic. I enjoy your videos a lot.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks. I'm particuarly grateful for your remark about being an admirer rather than a critic. Art critics and academics are not my favourite people.

[@alanbudgen2672]

I have a few of a Peake's books and illustrations which I greatly admire. There are some fabulous works in your film I've never seen before, which are superb. Thanks.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot. I must admit quite a few of the examples I managed to find I had previously been unaware of. Let's hear it for lifelong learning.

[@treasuretroves5497]

Am so glad KZbin suggested this!!! Wow! Absolutely amazing. Thank u.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm glad youtube pointed you in the channel's direction, too.

[@ailsatg]

I'd read the Gormenghast books but had no idea that the author was a prolific illustrator. Clearly he could create atmosphere and characters both visually and in words!

[@petebeard]

Hello and yes it's very much the case that he's better known as a writer. A truly uniquely takented and imaginative man, and a great pity he didn't get to hang around that long.

[@johncollado1151]

Hi Pete.... what a good match Peake would have been for Edgar Allen Poe's stories. This is the first time that I recall you showing an artist's mental health in conjunction with his style, or maybe I'm too old to remember your earlier videos. Poe could have shared the same room with Peake at times in their lives. Makes me wonder what inner demons cross paths with my art, if any. I think I'm more of a copy machine than an artist though. Thanks for a very interesting presentation. See you next time.

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks for commenting. The mental health issue has cropped up elsewhere - mostly in the form of suicide and addiction, but Peake's is a particularly unhappy story. I suspect all walks of life have similar levels of mental and emotional problems.

[@WakeUpToYourself-237]

How interesting, Thankyou for this introduction. I had never come across Peake before and found his work to be exquisite.

[@petebeard]

Hello, and it seems that I have managed to introduce Peake's wonderful drawings to quite a few viewers. And that makes me happy.

[@brynmawr27]

Your videos continue to astound me in their beauty, thoughtfulness, and research. Watching them is a bright spot in this ugly world in which we live.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm very grateful for your appreciation. Knowing the channel content is valued really keeps me motivated to make more.

[@shrelpshrelp]

Loved this video! Thanks for introducing me to this artist.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope you'll seek out others on the channel.

[@shrelpshrelp]

@@petebeard yes! I've been going through all your videos these past few weeks. 😄

[@karenrendell7369]

Thank you for posting this short but informative film Pete. I love all Peake's work!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appreciation. I'd be happy to make some of my videos longer but attention spans aren't what they used to be, and youtube inform me that average view time is roughly half the length of the video. Depressing but that's the modern world, I suppose...

[@karenrendell7369]

@@petebeard Oh dear! That's a great pity!

[@tulyar57]

Peake's imaginative capacity is truly extraordinary. He was an extremely accomplished artist but his use of descriptive and poetic language in his Gormenghast novels (I would contest) have yet to be surpassed. Pete says "if he wasn't so wary of the word I'd be tempted to call him unique". I would be tempted to put 'genius' in the same category.

[@petebeard]

Hello and you won't get any argument from me. There seems to be a renewed surge of interest in Peake's video I'm glad to say.

[@zhouzhang9102]

Good one! How on earth You Tube knew to recommend this to me, it being not the slightest bit relevant to anything I normally browse on here, I'll never know, but it's right on the nail; I love Peake's work. Superbly well done, informative and sensitive to the difficulties of the man as well, ending on a nice note. Thanks!

[@petebeard]

Hello and its always a particular pleasure to introduce the work of talents such as Peake to those not somehow involved with the subject of illustration.

[@thecaveofthedead]

Thanks. I've been a fan of his writing for a long time but had no idea he was so prolific and so divers in style.

[@petebeard]

Hello, and I have certainly come across far more people who are ware of (and admire) his writing, but less so the remarkable drawn work. Maybe the video will adjust this imbalance...

[@dramaskrybe]

Well done, Mr. Beard. A lover of outsider art/artists, I was unaware of Mr. Peake's work. Your video is a marvelous introduction. I see you've got others, and I can't wait to watch them.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appreciation of the Mervyn Peake video. I hope you continue to find others of interest on the channel.

[@dramaskrybe]

@@petebeard Appreciate it, Pete. I'll definitely watch other vids, as I do a biteen of illustrating myself. Always on the lookout for instruction and inspiration. Cheers!

[@aeskewprop]

You have a beautiful voice, and this was beautifully done. Thank you.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your favourable comment. I must admit if I'd known people responded so well to the sound of my vocal chords I might have tried making a living out of it. Too late now, though so I'll stick to making the videos and dream of what might have been.

[@nikishazechiel6848]

I sincerely enjoyed learning about such a fascinating and dedicated man. I relate to him greatly. Well ....not the fascinating part, but his struggle with mental health. I admire him for continuing with his art.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your comment.It is appreciated.

[@pollyfoofoo8703]

Don’t know how this came up in my feed but I’m so glad it did thank you very much

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm glad you found the video/channel too.

[@Suburbangeek]

Beautifully written and even in its simplicity, a riveting video. Subscribed.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for the comment.

[@orlane219]

Thank you ! A so sad story and so beautiful drawings. I learn a lot from your channel.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your comment. I'm pleased you appreciate the content (even if on occasion it is a bit depressing).

[@censusgary]

A wonderful overview of a wonderful artist.

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for the comment.

[@paulbrennan1268]

What an artist! Such success and such sorrow. Beautiful story.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for the comment. His was a talent that's rarely seen, and who knows what he would have done if he'd lived longer?

[@jimbrittain402]

Well, you got a new enthusiast here. I'd never heard of him, and now I have homework to do. Many thanks.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment and subscription. His novels are quite easy to get hold of, but not so much the drawings unfortunately - at least not in print.

[@MinorKeyDancing]

Thank you this was a feast for the eyes. I was trying to track down his illustrations and this helped so much!

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm glad you liked the video. He's a much underrated author and illustrator.

[@StClair008]

Wow, this was great to see. I discovered Peake's Gormenghast in the 1970's, when I was in high school and just wandering through the stacks at the library. I loved those books. I guess I was aware he was an illustrator, but I did not realize how accomplished he was, and also about his mental state. I'm not surprised by either though.

[@petebeard]

Hello, and when I first encountered Peake it was the Gormenghast trilogy too, and as a teenager I didn't think much of his illustration. In later life I realised just how talented and imaginative his visual side was.

[@OldSchool1947]

Never heard of him till NOW thanks to YOU! It's apparent that he influenced the ever so popular, Edward Gorey. What varied output for only 57 years!

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm very pleased to have introduced you to the work of this highly creative man. I hope you'll watch others on the channel too.

[@OldSchool1947]

@@petebeard I have enjoyed several others. I love visual expression and have been working in Art for many most of my 76 years. Thank you for this wonderful channel!

[@Rods52]

Thank you for the informative video. I first encountered Peake as a child with his Alice, before I ever saw the Tenniel drawings which for me were not in the same classes Peake's. A great English Artis and writer.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your appreciation.

[@joseph8468]

Beautifully and compassionately done: thank you.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation.

[@WordSmithForge1]

I'm stunned by Peake's writing and illustrations, and wonder what would have come had his health not brought him down. Such a talent. I appreciate your video.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment. Like an alarming number of others he didn't get the longest window of opportunity.

[@yl9154]

Thank you for these educative video on a cultural subject that is often overlooked!

[@petebeard]

Many thanks for your appreciation.

[@marilyn1228]

I love all forms of illustration, and love your channel. Peake's work is so appealing to me, I love bits of the absurd and darkness.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks fr the comment. Peake doesn't get the attention he deserves.

[@aureliobrighton1871]

I was following different interests on youtube for two hours or so ... before sailing along this fine 'balanced' composition .. it is like a benevolent excurse leaving most of those earlier entertaining yet impressions of pure noise and colour .. just two days ago and by total coincidence I found myself in Zwickledt . and looking at its friendly details and blossoming lilac in magnificent spring sunshine thought about the visions which were going on inside at the time :)

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation of my work on this channel. Positive viewer feedback is always welcome.

[@justkiddin84]

The Gormenghast books are amazing. I hated hearing he had those breakdowns, though not terribly surprised when I thought about it. Folks here in the US are very stressed right now-I can imagine a sensitive person being very hurt by the war.😕 Thank you! I am looking for the other books now!😊

[@petebeard]

Yes, not the happiest of lives. Good luck with your search - I think some can still be found.

[@justkiddin84]

@@petebeard yes, I saw some online!

[@brucebaldy]

Titus groan trilogy is a favorite off mine, didn't know he was an artist. Thank you.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm glad I've introduced you to his drawn work.

[@gregglockhart9551]

Great narration! I love your voice. Seems like a voice I’ve heard on an audio book ,or two!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot. Unfortunately (for me that is) the only time I've voiced anything is in this series. And I did that with the greatest reluctance. It was only when viewers started to make nice comments about my croak that I became more confident it. Just think of the money I might have made....

[@Riddlemewalker]

The eccentric personality of Erik Satie makes your music selection a perfect pairing. Love the Gormenghast novels. Great review of an amazing artist.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation of the video. I got very lucky with the Satie music - it isn't copyright and I've used it a couple of times on the channel.

[@mendyman]

Thank you. Very well done.

[@edwardjcurtis85]

Lovely video on Peake...thank you!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your appreciation.

[@olgierdogden4742]

The moment I saw Mervin Peake my mind raced back to 1957 when I was age 3 and found my first children’s book balanced on top of a cupboard my parents had just bought and what was the name of the book? -Captain Slaughterboard Drops Anchor, and I loved it especially as I had found it and it was so unique in the illustrations let alone the story. I remember reading all the Titus books though by the time the last one was published he was very ill with Parkinson’s Disease and basically finished off by his wife Maeve Gilmore, who’s account of him in her biography was a real eye opener. And Pete your use of Erik Satie’s music at the beginning was strangely ideal. And a great scan of Peake’s life in just over 10 minutes. Thankyou.

[@petebeard]

Hello again, and thanks a lot for the positive response to the video. I'm pleased to see - and haven;t got a clue why it would be - that there has recently been a pronounced surge in the number of viewers watching this video. This gladdens my heart.

[@olgierdogden4742]

@@petebeard Well we all have you to thank for the work you put into your productions. And I for one enjoy your work so don’t dare stop as I’m sure many others appreciate you to🌊🌈🖌.

[@jexthegamer]

My favorite are those dr. Jekyll and mr. Hyde drawings. Amazing!

[@petebeard]

Hello and those illustrations have a very modern almost graphic novel look to them. He was a great talent.

[@tomclyne3320]

Very good video, well-presented story of this illustrator who I was not familiar with. This is the second video of yours that I’ve seen and really enjoyed both, you have a new subscriber!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment. And I can always use more subscribers so thanks for that too.

[@mikeofcomx]

As always, an excellent summary of Peake’s illustrations. So unfair that magic minds leave us so early and tragically.

[@MyRainbowangel]

So once again you broaden my view of the world of illustration Thank you

[@petebeard]

Hello again - and thanks again. Peake is probably the least well known of the illustrators I've devoted a whole video to.

[@isa_1997]

I think this is the best channel ever.

[@petebeard]

Hello and that's a very nice thing to say. Thanks a lot for subscribing and I hope you continue to enjoy the content.

[@rebeccakennedy6469]

Wonderful video. Thank you!

[@petebeard]

And thanks to you for watching and subscribing.

[@f5mando]

Another genius taken from us too soon. So very talented. So sad. Thanks for this video.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your apprciation of this video. His life doesnt make for the happiest of stories - or endings - but I for one am grateful he was with us at all and could share that immense talent.

[@alansaxon]

Delightful piece. Thank you.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appreciation. He's a much neglected figure as an illustrator.

[@perrystalsis55]

What an excellent film, thank you!

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm very pleased you enjoyed it.

[@hiridavidfeign]

Wow. Fascinating. Thanks so much.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your appreciation.

[@constancedtheodore4999]

How wonderful. I was hoping to find a Mervyn Peake video from you. I have a book from my childhood from the Ghormengast saga. Your videos have been a huge inspiration in my progress and I have put forth a proposal at the university to re instate theory as they have removed it sadly, to add cgi....!! Thank you for your valuable work.

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks a lot for your appreciation of the Peake video. And it's none of my business but what do these people think they're doing? History and theory are essential for creative development. Sometimes I despair...

[@constancedtheodore4999]

@@petebeard That Mr Beard is exactly my point.... unfortunately their idea is to 'prepare' the students for the industry in animation and gaming....this is why we see so many lifeless and plastic animated movies as of late...I have actually removed myself from many classes and decided to adhere to the degree within a frame of classical studies alongside animation...I don't believe it is well programmed unfortunately and it predisposes that much of the work be done in our own time....not enough guidance...not enough research...it mostly emphasises the digital side....thankfully some of the lecturers still try to hold on to the traditional side of things and they are very good. I was watching this video just now and thought you might like it yourself. You, Mr Beard are a treasured source of inspiration. I have also looked at the website and found it wonderfully inspiring. Thank you for your work. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5e4lHyClpeYjZI

[@adrianokury]

This channel should be nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

[@petebeard]

Many thanks for your comment, and although it isn't ever going to be recognised, I like to think the channel will endure when I'm long gone.

[@unclvinny]

This was marvelous and I subscribed to your channel immediately.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for the appreciation and subscription.