LAWSON WOOD HD 1080p

Although I only feature illustrators in this series who's work I believe to be worthy of admiration, like everybody else I have my personal preferences. So it would also be true to say that in some cases I struggle to actually like the work on a purely emotional level. But nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to Lawson Wood. For me this is unconditional love, pure and simple, and whatever my prevailing mood may be, immersing myself in his invariably goodnatured skilfully rendered illustrations never fails to make me feel considerably better.
I hope his work has a similar effect on you.

[@justkiddin84]

Working on those balloons was indeed very dangerous! Very glad he survived that. ✌️♥️

[@wemblyfez]

Okay, Pete, you made me laugh out loud with your final comment. Well done! I'll confess, I wasn't familiar with Lawson Wood, being raised on the other side of the Big Pond but happy to be introduced. As a creator of anthropomorphic animals myself, I'm impressed with Wood's skill of not only animal anatomy but giving them such wonderful expressions and keeping the strict anatomy of each animal, something very hard to achieve. And, on another subject, as you've shown us through the years, I'm always amazed (and saddened at the same time) by all the different outlets for illustration back in the day. With books, magazines, posters, calendars, postcards, etc., markets for illustration were far and wide. What a grand time to be working! Thanks as always, Pete, for another great tour. All the best for a safe holiday weekend (assuming you celebrate). Keep the chocolate bunnies and jelly beans to a minimum 😉 Cheers!

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks for your comment. I'm pleased to have introduced you to Wood's marvellous work. And yes, 100 years ago being an illustrator gave you access to so many opportunities to get your work published. Photography has a lot to answer for. And chocolate hasn't been a vice of mine since I was old enough to drink booze. Its still fattening but I'm too drunk to care.

[@pabloricardodetarragon2649]

@@petebeard😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@damogranheart5521]

I think that I will stick with the chocolate 🍫, in moderation of course🤭. Except, of course, when I have a bad cough. I feel a slight tickle in my throat just now. If you will please excuse me, I must needs imbibe 😊

[@TheDonkeyHot]

Genius artist! This Gran'pop series is of superb comical and technical quality! In his best works, it's to be seen that he understood watercolour at another level. Thank you very much, sir, for the video.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your comment. And I'm delighted to see that your opinion of his remarkable talent mirrors my own. He should be a household name, and for the life of me I can't imagine why he isn't.

[@thaisstone5192]

(80) LOL "in the seat of his pompous pants". Well phrased, Mr. Beard!!! There are a LOT of critics who could do with a helping of that. The depth he was able to achieve in his work is a wonder to behold. Stellar upload; you never cease to amaze me. THANK YOU!!!

[@petebeard]

Thanks again for your appreciation, and that remark by Kelly really did make my blood boil. Best to sublimate rage into humour, I find.

[@damogranheart5521]

I would think that having bags of cow manure delivered to his abode might be the way to express my distain for him, but with my luck, he would be an avid gardener!

[@RallyTheTally]

He seemed like a pretty cool guy, Imagine not only being a great cartoonist, a family man, but also a brave solder.

[@petebeard]

...and don't forget the animal sanctuary he funded. Thanks for the comment.

[@damogranheart5521]

That last is a decided plus!

[@matthieujoly]

Still a real pleasure, to discover all these names. Thanks to not let them forgotten ! Thank you !!

[@petebeard]

Thanks as ever, and I'm hoping to bring many more to the channel.

[@maxlinder5262]

How these artists found time to do .. ALL ..that they did amazes me ...?? .& Still have a personal life ... .. WOW 😲......Did you hear of Louis Wain..???... I'm watching the film from 2021 ..with Benedict Cumberbatch......😊

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your comment, and Louis Wain appears in unsung heroes of illustration 50. I must admit I couldn't face watching the film - they always misrepresent. Maybe I should give it a chance...

[@maxlinder5262]

​​@@petebeard....It showed the tragedy he suffered ... amongst other things in his Life ........

[@MrOkgrillo]

One of the most skillful cartoonist Britain ever produced!

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the comment, and I'm very pleased to have a caroonist and animator of your track record watching the channel. I began what passed for my own career with Cosgrove Hall in Manchester (backrounds/character/odd jobs) and your TV ads such as Umbongo and Kia Ora were great favourites.

[@MrOkgrillo]

​@@petebeard Cripes!!!! I wrote a LONG answer and and got lost! Thanks and a big embrace, old mate!

[@ROMANTIKILLER2]

Those animals illustration, both the remarkably cartoony and the more realistic ones, are a joy for the eyes, regardless of what any stiff and posh critic can say.

[@petebeard]

My sentiments entirely. Thanks for the comment.

[@Lougallops]

Thanks for making my day Pete...again.

[@petebeard]

You are always welcome. Thanks for the comment.

[@russellpoland6637]

I SO remember seeing these illustrations as a child!! I had almost forgotten! Most cherished memories!! Thank You so very much!

[@petebeard]

Thanks for your comment and you are very welcome.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

A real Easter treat, cheers ,Pete, have a great Easter

[@petebeard]

...and a non-fattening Easter treat too. Same to you - weather's not bad for a change.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

​@@petebeard....😊....

[@willardroad]

Great video! I especially liked the work he did on nursery rhymes, because I suddenly realized I had seen those as a small child! Naturally, I had no idea who had drawn those pictures, as tiny kids rarely pay attention to such things, but I loved them. Now I know, and I am grateful to you for bringing those memories back. Thank you!

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your comment and appreciation. And I'm pleased to have sent you down memory lane.

[@jerrystaley1563]

Lawson Wood Really cute and clever series of his illustrations despite my childhood aversions to chimps, monkeys and clowns. You provided a group of extremely clear and detailed examples of his work, especially on your full-screen shots. Yet another one of your well done episodes.

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for the comment. I can see the aversion to clowns - but chimps? Surely not! Having said that the big ones are a bit scary.

[@parry3231]

Hippity hoppity and the love of hopping down the bunny trail to see what Pete is posting. ❤Thanks for sharing this video and for your time given in informing us of so many incredible artists 😊🐇🐰🐣🐤🐥🐦🕊🦤🐸🌱🌿🍀🪺🌲🌳🌱🌿🍀🪻🌷🌹⚘️🌼🪷 You are absolutely incredible in this historically significant amount of information about our fellow citizens of the world. Allowing us to enjoy the journey with wonderment and joy in the creativity of so many different creators of imaginations manifested. 😊🎉❤Thanks again and again for your help and support for the arts.❤

[@petebeard]

I'm not quite sure what to say in response to such a generous coment about my work on the channel. Thanks a lot seems inadequate but it will have to do. It's greatly appreciated.

[@judyparker8459]

What an amazing prolific imagination! And the presence of mind to use it playfully, joyfully, especially early on. We'd never have such silly fun if it weren't for illustrators!! What a dull world some people live in. Well done, Pete, and 'well said'!! 😆

[@petebeard]

Thanks for this comment and once again your appreciation of my efforts.

[@manuelcapela7620]

Thank you. 🇬🇧🇵🇹 Happy Easter!

[@petebeard]

Thanks as ever, and the same to you.

[@IdeaRefinery]

Love Lawson Wood! The only other illustrator who comes close for anthropomorphized animals is Harry Rountree. Thanks again Pete!

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your appreciation, and Rountree is another all time favourite, who will be making an appearance in a few videos' time. I featuerd both in the unsung heroes series and subsequently realised I had squandered an opportunity, so I'm now making amends.

[@davidshurville3658]

A sweet Easter treat. How amazing that people of such prestigious talents are so quickly all but forgotten. Thank you for preserving their work- and therefore something of their personality-digitally for the world to rediscover. Mr Beard, your programmes are a Ray of sunshine. Thank you, from Aotearoa.

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your appreciation and it's good to know that I'm succeeding (even if only a little) in making some of these talents more widely known. I must confess I'd never heard your country referred to as Aotearoa so I've learned something too.

[@jaybradley9083]

I must admit, I am not familiar with Lawson Wood. After watching this wonderful video, I am going to see what I can find about the man. His work was wonderful. Thanks for bringing him to my attention.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the comment, and I'm very pleased to have made a new convert to his outstanding work.

[@TheMarkEH]

All of the illustrators that you review produce outstanding drawings.However, I think that this one seems to have been able to make the people/animals have a larger than life quality that embodied them with a soul (maybe it is the colour palette that was used, I don't know). Anyway, thanks for another brilliant episode Pete.

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks for your continued appreciation. In my book Mr. Wood is an absolute giant and I just hope I've converted at least a few viewers to this opinion.

[@DelightLovesMovies]

I love beautiful art like that. Lawson Wood was really good. His pictures of birds are sublime.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm pleased you enjoyed his work. There's a toucan and a cockatoo against a blue backround towards the end of the video that's utterly brilliant. Mind you I'd struggle to pick out a favourite in Wood's case.

[@DelightLovesMovies]

@@petebeard True Mr Beard, is all beautiful work.

[@DelightLovesMovies]

@@petebeard I really love that one with the blue background

[@philippaking1732]

What a fascinating character. Thank you, Pete Beard.

[@petebeard]

Hello again, and it's good to know you are finding more on the channel that you enjoy.

[@eugeniomarins2936]

Dear Sir, My admiration towards your work comes from the meticulous research and most excellent text and narration. I will have to add fine English humour to it, and Mr. Kelly definitely asked for this jab. In the seat of his pompous pants it is. I will write it down in me book of refined insults to use, when appropriate, with your permission, of course. Cheers from still laughing out loud Brazil!

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation and ongoing support. Kelly's comment really did make my blood boil and iIfind the best way to not have a heart attack over such remarks is through hunour and derision. Glad you though it was funny.

[@zendixie]

Thanks so much for this. I remember his calendars from when I was a child. He was a master!

[@petebeard]

Thanks for your comment. And he certainly was a master - one of my all time favourites.

[@gabriellew6467]

From the word go I was mesmerised, entranced, enchanted - such talent, humour, proclivity for wild flights of the imagination. My loss, that I was unaware of this artist’s output until now. My gain, that I was introduced - thank you. And as for Kelly and his derogatory remark? They say you can’t fix stupid

[@petebeard]

I'm pleased you enjoyed Wood's work. How on earth anyone could think he was wasting his talents with these visual marvels is completely beyond me. I hate art critics.

[@lizparker8431]

A wonderful tribute to Lawson Wood’s work, Pete; a great illustrator with a keen sense of humour. Thanks for all the research you do to bring these artistic treats to life. 🙏 A kick up the pants to Kelly, indeed!

[@petebeard]

Many thanks for your appreciation. It's always welcome.

[@AndyBadalamenti]

My goodness, Mr Beard - your videos are always a joy to watch. Thank you.

[@petebeard]

What a kind comment - thanks a lot.

[@annehastings9424]

Thank you for all the information of Lawson Wood. I did look for his works quite a while back on line but didn't get much info on him. I always loved his Grandpa books as my brothers and sister each had one. The colouring , humour and the depiction of the animals always captured me even as a very little girl.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your comment. I'm delighted to have shone what little light I could on his life and work.

[@boddouce]

I just love Lawson Wood, thanks so much for making this tremendous effort! So well done!

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the appreciation.

[@53Peterbilt]

A wonderful artist AND a good businessman?? Nawwwww....that never happens!! LOL What a creative person Mr Woods was! Love all the animal characters, and his approach to illustration. Highly detailed subject matters with very simplistic backgrounds. Very easy to enjoy. Thanx for another profile on a meaningful artist I was unaware of.

[@petebeard]

Many thanks for your comment and appreciation. Making this video reminded me somewhat painfully how lacking I was in both departments.

[@patsyannriendeau5971]

I really like Lawson Wood and his sense of humor. Such fun stuff. And once again, Pete, thanks for all you do!

[@petebeard]

Thanks as usual for your appreciation, and I'm delighted you enjoyed Wood's work.

[@GR-jw7ns]

Brilliant as ever Pete. I'm embarrassed to say I knew little to nothing of Lawson Wood and this was a real eye opener. Whst an incredibly talented and accomplished illustrator. I'm very impressed with his work. Thank you!

[@petebeard]

Thanks as ever for your appreciation, and I'm delighted to have made another convert to Wood's marvellous illustrations.

[@gerardtessers]

I realized I've seen this in The Netherlands before! His wonderful pictures of the apes were featured in a Dutch magazine named ' De Panorama' for many years! I noticed two examples of that in your video... This was lovely; thank you!!

[@petebeard]

Thanks as usual for your favourable comment. No wonder Wood made a fortune. Published throughout Europe and the USA, enjoyed in any language, and he kept his copyright in the work.

[@BradfordtheEclectic]

Mr. Beard, you have granted the highest praise ever to one of your featured illustrators with, "...couldn't be equalled by anyone I can think of." The mirror of time always leads to incredulity at the oversight pointed out in your illuminating accounts.

[@petebeard]

Many thanks for your comment. And in the case of Lawson Wood as far as I'm concerned he is among my handful of all time favourites, and I can't say that or anything like it for some other illustrators I've covered, however much I respect their work.

[@PatchworkAndNuance]

What wonderful and whimsical works! Delightful!

[@petebeard]

Hello again, and I'm very pleased to hear you continue to find material that you like on the channel.

[@guldenaydin9918]

A great productive life.. And he continuously enhanced his skills. Thank you very much.

[@petebeard]

Thanks again for your appreciation. I'm glad you enjoyed Wood's work.

[@davidsparks6146]

Although I had run across this illustrator back when I was attending CalArts (Lawson was a favorite of mine as well as my mentor, Jack Hanna of Donald Duck and Chip & Dale fame)... The sheer extent of his career was a surprise to me. Well-done on the research again... The personal information about his life intrigues me how it had been recorded. Thanks again for a fun and insightful video.

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your comment. And it's good to know you were taught by somebody who knew what they were talking about. Not often the case these days, sadly.

[@aikidoshi007]

Very much a case of 'When you're on a good thing stick to it'. Thanks Pete, very interesting artist, and a great example of creating a niche for yourself and milking it for what it's worth..

[@petebeard]

Thanks as usual for your appreciation, and in this case his talent - and business sense - are both very much to be admired.

[@ruthbennett7563]

I wish Sir Terry Pratchett were still around to answer if his inspiration for the Librarian of his Discworld series might’ve been Lawson Wood illustrations. Thank you for such a charming video essay about this artist.

[@petebeard]

Ook. Which translates as thanks a lot and Paul Kidby's visualisation of the Librarian is equally masterful

[@harryreafor]

Thank you for another amazing video. This is truly remarkable and inspiring. The depth of Lawsoon Wood's work is just amazing.

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lo for your positive response to this video. I'd have to say anyone who doesn't appreciate Wood's work must have no soul or humanity.

[@henrydarker4314]

Thanks Pete!

[@petebeard]

You are very welcome.

[@photosportsman]

Thanks you so much for you work ... Happy Healty to you

[@petebeard]

Thanks very much for your comment - and the same to you.

[@jennifercoopman]

Thank you Pete, I love these biographies!

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Its very welcome.

[@davidharrison7023]

What a talent , thank you once again .

[@petebeard]

I'm glad you enjoyed his remarkable work. Thanks for the comment.

[@jellyartist]

Thanks for posting this, Pete. What a talent. I had heard of Lawson Wood but couldn’t remember why (so many artists etc!) I was amazed particularly by the tales of his houses especially the mansion he had rebuilt brick by brick! That guy made some serious money to do that. When you mentioned Sidmouth I realised it must be there that I encountered his work. If memory serves I think they have some of his work in the little museum there. I’d seen the policemen drinking been before but hadn’t seen any of the other work you featured so really enjoyed this video. As always, brilliantly researched and observed.

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your comment and appreciation. And it made a refreshing change to feature an illustrator who became spectacularly wealthy through his work. Not many of those around.

[@farmerfox3332]

Bahahaha i love the last line of video! Ahhhh great video once again. Thank you. I have seen his work before but never knew who he was. Now i am a big fan thanks to you. Have a great day😊

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your appreciation - and I'm very pleased to have made another convert to the marvels of Wood's output.

[@bigblue6917]

Thanks, Pete. As educations go this has got to be the most enjoyable. I get the feeling that Mr. C.M. Kelly will find a que forming behind him. I loved the illustration of the caveman on his stone age bicycle peddling furiously. And I am sure that the illustration "A Cricket Match" must have depicted famous cricketers of the day as the figure second from the right at the bottom of the page looks like W.G. Grace. Actually I always thought Stone Henge was a prototype football game with too many goals and keepers but with no players. Took them some time to work it all out.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks again for your positive response to the video. It's a funny/strange phenomenon that from Reed onwards (I don't think anyone beat him to it) so many chose to use this stone age mirror up to our own behaviour, and here we are with the Flintstones, among others.

[@mattmcdonnellart]

love hearing your defence of this talented artist and illustrator! kick away!!

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your appreciation.

[@simonward-horner7605]

Thanks again, Pete. I've admired Lawson Woods' work for a long time - superb and charming. C. M. Kelly richly deserves that boot up the bum, no error. I didn't know Ubbe Iwerks animated GrandPops - that's new one on me. It doesn't look much cop. A wonderful video!

[@petebeard]

Hello Simon, and thanks for your continued appreciation. In my book anyone not thrilled by Wood's pictures must be dead on the inside. And yes that animation was creatively speaking a waste of time and effort. The series made money though, which I suspect was the sole motivation behind making it.

[@simonward-horner7605]

@@petebeard I agree, on all points.

[@semeyeify]

YEEAAAHHH!!!!

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot.

[@NateRock119]

Just discovered this page I can’t wait to catch up on these illustrators

[@petebeard]

Hello and welcome to the channel. I hope you contiue to find content to your liking.

[@tomseelye5919]

I thoroughly enjoy your presentations!

[@petebeard]

Thanks very much for your appreciation.

[@Dawghome]

Wow he's brilliant.....

[@petebeard]

Oh he certainly is. One of my greatest heroes of all time.

[@johncollado1151]

Thanks for another informative video Pete. I really enjoyed this illustrators work and style.

[@petebeard]

Hello John, and I'm glad to hear it. Thanks for the comment.

[@TexRenner]

I knew the name Lawson Wood when I saw it (and will happily take my place in line to kick Mr. C.M. Kelly's pompous pants). I always mistook Gran'pop for an orange orangutan. I'll be waiting for you next wonderful video.

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks a lot. The anatomy is very much chimp, and Wood himself referred to granpop as such. The mystery is why orange?

[@russellwilson6388]

Thanks Pete, a wonderful introduction to an illustrator I'm not familiar with, great images and wonderfully written as usual top notch, I'll go and do a bit of research, many thanks.

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your comment and appreciation. Good luck with your search - I don't know why but I didn't even look to see if there was a book about him. I will now, though.

[@nicholasknudson5801]

Another amazing video, Pete.

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your appreciation - I'm glad you enjoyed his work.

[@bronte333]

Excellent. Subscribed. ❤

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing.

[@dlschgo]

Another great one, Pete. More inspiration for future illustrators.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for comment. But regarding inspiration I doubt it very much in the current cultural environment. Call me a cynic but the young generally appear happy to wallow in their ignorance.

[@dlschgo]

Mostly agree. But the few that still seek to follow the traditional path will soak up your work like a sponge.

[@wynnschaible]

I remember some of those calendars! Glad to find out about the artist. And if you ever get your chance, give the b*****d another one for me!

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the comment. I had to make humour from my rage about that comment, just to keep the blood pressure down.

[@carlcotton1753]

great ending!

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot - I can't actually remember the details of the video so I'll have to have a look myself to see if I live up to your favourable opinion.

[@Gingerzilla]

You give him the boot 👢 Pete!!

[@petebeard]

Aha... now I get it - my reference to kicking the critic in the behind. Sometimes I'm not very bright.

[@TheKevphil]

Well, it's not "WALLY Wood," but I guess he'll have to do. ;) Thanks, Pete! Lawson had a very naturalistic, plastic rendering ability with watercolors. I believe he could have been very adept, if not necessarily happy, painting almost ANY subject. Can you imagine any commercial artist today buying a manor house? (Maybe Syd Mead--?) Of course, as you say, he had the publishing rights to his creation, too. Imagine what the estate of Jack Kirby (creator of most Marvel Comics characters) would be worth today?

[@petebeard]

Hello again and I'm glad you enjoyed his work. You have to envy his level of success.

[@AzureSymbiote]

The man had skill.

[@petebeard]

And then some, I reckon.

[@mijiyoon5575]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@petebeard]

More stars always welcome.

[@clarencewagner1278]

I really like Lawson Wood first name.

[@petebeard]

That's understandable in the circumstances.

[@justicecommander9455]

Very charming animal drawings but the biggest takeaway from this video is that artist should always keep the copyright of their creations no matter what.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the comment. I wish someone had told me that when I embarked on what passed for my own career. For many years I thought it went to whoever commissioned the picture. What a fool.

[@captcardor]

You have again come up with an Illustrator and Artist that I knew nothing about, but should have. Somehow, his work seems to remind me of Norman Rockwell, in composition and technique. Rockwell also had to deal with pompous "asses" who did not think his work was actually "art".

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your appreciation, and the Rockwell connection is an interesting one. Some elitists really don't seem able to be happy about popular art for real people.

[@ابوسارةابوسارة-ز6د]

فعلا انة رائع ❤❤ ‏‪0:43‬‏

[@petebeard]

شكرا جزيلا على تقديركم

[@frosssid828]

крутой канал интересная подборка и обзоры

[@petebeard]

Большое спасибо за вашу оценку.

[@sergiovasconcellosocriativo]

About the post kicked (by you and rightly so) C.M. Kelly.... "envy kills!"...hahahahaha Cheers

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot for your appreciation.

[@brucealanwilson4121]

I recognized most of the picrures, but didn't know about the artist.

[@petebeard]

Thanks again for your comment.

[@garymcguire8529]

Interesting that you think his near ginger ape is a Chimpanzee, and not an Orangutan.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for the comment. And Wood himself called Gran'pop a chimp, so who are we to argue? He never did explain the colour though.

[@TudorsTigers]

I'm sure you've persuaded a goodly number of us regulars to form an orderly queue behind you to to apply the toes of our our boots to C.M. Kelly's well-padded posterior.

[@petebeard]

Hello again, and I'm pleased that my parting shot seems to have met with general approval from viewers. I can't stand the condescension of critics when it comes to humorous illustration.

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

7:53 ... as I am having my daily glass of Ovaltine with breakfast as I watch!!

[@petebeard]

Ovaltine with breakfast? It takes all sorts I suppose. Thanks for the comment.

[@12theotherandrew]

Mr Kelly must have been a boring dry stick. It’s good to know the talented and hard work of Woods received appropriate financial compensation. My impression is that is rare nowadays.

[@petebeard]

Thanks for watching. To be fair it was relatively rare in those days too, but he was a shrewd businessman, unlike most illustrators, myself included. And of course in his case he was globally popular.

[@wordscapes5690]

A proto Andy Warhol.

[@petebeard]

Ah, so you noticed it too.

[@danfrankkuhn]

Orangutans are orange...

[@petebeard]

This is true, but granpop has the anatomy of a chimp, and Wood himself referred to his creation as such. Why he's orange is anybody's guess.

[@martintierney5397]

Poor comment about 'notoriously tight fisted Scots'... Surely there was a better way of framing that? Say... ' the racist view commonly held at the time...' but then that would imply that that view was a thing of the past. Poor, in otherwise great work which I have watched for a while.

[@petebeard]

The scots are not a race - they are a nation. And I should have added 'who can't take joke either'. Seriously, get over yourself.