THE FANTASY ILLUSTRATIONS OF VIRGIL FINLAY HD 1080p

In science fiction and fantasy circles Vigil Finlay is quite rightly held in high esteem. But because most of his output appeared in pulp magazines between the 1930s and 50s his remarkable paintings and monochrome line drawings haven't really attracted a wider legion of admirers. I hope this video will make some new converts among viewers of the channel.

[@YojTROCHILdae]

Sometimes you can't draw anything because of you don't have any motivation, lack of ideas, thirst for drawing new things. When it happens, I really love to watch this channel. Gives me inspire.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment. If the videos inspire your own creative impulses that's a real bonus.

[@carlr0gers417]

Amen to that.

[@TheMarkEH]

Pete is the guardian angel of forgotten illustrators, keeping their works alive and revered. Great work Pete, I’m sure that these past artists would thank you if they could.

[@petebeard]

Hello and that's a tremendously flattering epithet. In more grandiose moments of fantasy I do like to think I might be a sort of John the Baptist figure when it comes to spreading the word.

[@elodinglasan2283]

@@petebeard Hey, was about to comment the same thing about you! This channel is soooo awesome!

[@gabrielerosa665]

I really think that in the Illustration' Paradise, the Unsung Artists develop an admiration to the Pete's work, because he turn to life - and people's atention they deserve - these great artists!

[@TheMarkEH]

@@gabrielerosa665 Yes, you make a good point. I agree with you.

[@leighmackay7486]

Finley’s patient persistence at stippling is at another level. Thank you for this, sir.

[@petebeard]

Hello and the only thing I can think of that would be equally - maybe more - painstaking and time consuming would be wood engraving.

[@dralder]

i discover Finlay ine day and it`s now one of my all time favorites

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment.

[@rexharrison6827]

Thanks for this episode, Pete! Virgil Finlay has been one of my all-time favourite illustrators in any genre for decades. As you mention, he has what may be referred to as a "hard core" fan base, but beyond that, it seems no-one has ever heard of him. It's always irked me that in the world of book and magazine illustration there's an element of snobbery that precludes some otherwise highly talented people from gaining the recognition they deserve, purely based on the area of their output. Finlay was one such hapless victim. Writers suffered similar discrimination. Your all too brief glimpse of Finlay's art shows a wonderful selection of works that I'm mostly familiar with, but a few surprises as well. What a pity he never had the chance to produce a full collection of pictures for "The Hobbit" (or even "Lord of the Rings"). I'm sure they would by now have been considered classics.

[@wileycom]

Many many thanks for introducing me to the masterful work of Virgil Finlay! I was overcome by this man’s talent and imagination! Unfortunate that so many have remained ignorant of his work simply because of the genre he chose at the time. Today I think he would have been a Super Star (not that he isn’t!) Thank you again for all that you do. It is my great joy to visit your channel.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment. Its a real boost to know viewers appreciate what I'm doing with the channel.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

A shame him and Tolkein never collaborated...

[@Tzinacacihuatl]

He was ahead of his time. He would have been loved by many in the 80s and 90s!! So sad, but we still can be grateful for what he achieved in his years on earth.

[@wetbobspongepants]

What a nice surprise for a Sunday afternoon. Very interesting as usual. Thank you🤠

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks for the comment.

[@BanazirGalpsi1968]

That hobbit illustration is one of very few that Tolkien said he liked for the book. He liked the Japanese illustrations, the ones by that Nordic queen, and the one by Virgil Finlay. Btw, being from Rochester NY, I'm very proud of him . Wish I could draw as well as he. I'm an artist but not anywhere near his level.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment. I say thank God there are many successful illustrators who have made a success of not being able to draw well.

[@OkieSketcher1949]

@@petebeard I must admit I have run across a few ‘illustrators’ who have literally no talent in the area of their ‘success’. Some I believe would be out done by a six year old with a worn crayon. I see their works at trade shows and street art carnivals.

[@TexRenner]

Nice! I never knew the name, but I remember some of these. Thanks, Pete.

[@petebeard]

Hi again and thanks for the comment.

[@bangut2012]

Thank you very much for making these incredible talents known to the whole world! Greetings from Chile

[@petebeard]

Hello from England and thanks a lot for your supportive comment.

[@lindsaybrambles9678]

As an artist/writer I have long admired the works of such immense talents as Virgil Finlay, a man who toiled away in fields where much of what he produced has gone underappreciated and, in many cases, simply been forgotten altogether. Finlay's work is breathtaking, and as an artist I am blown away by the images he created--particularly his pen and ink works. For the past few years, I have been working on an illustrated retro science fiction novel inspired by the pulps of the 40s and 50s, and a large source of that inspiration has been the images that graced the covers and interior pages of those magazines. My novel features 300 separate full-page illustrations, combined with 88,000 words of text--a sort of intersection between the traditional text novel and a graphic novel. Finlay's work, in particular, has been among those from which I have drawn my creative drive for the project, though I confess that having done many pen-point (stippled) works of my own, I would not have the patience to have rendered my 300 illustrations (for a single book) in this form--or with anything approaching the same measure of finesse and exactitude one finds in Finlay's works. It's sad and tragic that Finlay's life was cut so short; it reminds me very much of Wallace Wood, another artist of exceedingly incredible talent (and another of my inspirations) who never truly received the sort of appreciation and financial reward he sought (and which arguably should have been his due) during his all too brief life. But, of course, the history of art is replete with such stories, and one suspects that will never change.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment and insight into your own work. I just took a quick look at one of your videos and was suitably impressed, and see where you're coming from. I'm currently working on a video devoted to the history of pulp magazines which I hope will be uploaded in a few months. You might find that of interest. And are you familiar with the work of Cardwell Higgins? I can see a similarity. I hope you're not offended by the comparision.

[@paillette2010]

Why did I watch this before going to sleep!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Great as usual, thanks so very much!!!!

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks for the comment - amusing too!

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

Right off, as I started the video, have to say I know I'm going to enjoy this!! Finlay was king in the pulps! Early in Kelly Freas's career he said he tried to emulate Finlay but was overwhelmed by the fastidious technique! Flesk Publications needs to put out a deluxe edition of Finlay just like their just released edition of Franklin Booth!!

[@albertcscs]

Flesk does a beautiful book. He did EA Abbey too, I agree a third archival book is in order. I think Bud Plant has some Finlay books on his website.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your appreciation of the video. Pulps never made an impact over here so it was only long after they had withered that I found out about them. So many great illustrators to dscover.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

@@petebeard indeed

[@mikedirle520]

I absolutely LOVED this illustrator and wish he'd lived longer as you mentioned. Not only do I find myself pausing his work, but I fill my 27" screen and just take in all the beauty up close! Tnx! As always!

[@petebeard]

Hello again and I'm glad you are enjoying the content on the big screen. It drives me nuts when viewers (the young) occasionally moan that the pictures aren't big enough on their phone or tablet....

[@vaughngaminghd]

Astounding technical skills, and a truly unique style… I've never seen anyone else do what he does!

[@petebeard]

Hello and its tempting to call him unique. But Edd Cartier and and Hannes Bok had similar even if not quite as astounding) techniques.

[@dralder]

Thank you Pete Beard for this wonderful collection.

[@petebeard]

Hi again and thanks again.

[@sidilicious11]

Such a talent!! Thanks for introducing him to us.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your appreciation. I'm glad you enjoyed his work.

[@Mountlougallops]

Wow Pete! Thanks for this one. Virgil Finlay was as unique as he was prolific. Pure talent

[@petebeard]

Hi again and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@53Peterbilt]

I adore Finlay's work, especially his black and white monochrome drawings, such as those for the Shakespeare series. The illustration at 3:11 captures me, in the way he combines a very loose stylized background, with an extremely tightly detailed subject matter. Just Wonderful work!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for the comment. He really was an astonishingly skilful illustrator.

[@sventhemoose1218]

What an incredible talent, and the volume of his work is mind blowing. Thanks for another great episode!

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm glad you enjoyed his work. Thanks for your appreciation.

[@seanwelch71]

Finlay was a great illustrator and I thank you for the feature on his work.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation of this video tribute.

[@gabriellew6467]

Virginia Finlay - what an extraordinary and prolific illustrator. Thank you for highlighting his work. Especially the monochrome work has incredible impact. And a Hobbit illustration would have been very interesting.

[@petebeard]

Many thanks for your comment and appreciation.

[@johnferry7778]

Thanks for this Pete..Virgil Finlay has always been a favourite of mine and you’ve included work I haven’t seen before. I think his beautiful varied sketching and hatching techniques, the burnished unearthly light and lustrous sheen perfectly suited the otherworldly subject matter. Weird solarised sumptuous surfaces with futuristic and cinematic compositions make his work unlike anyone else I can think of..truly brilliant and original.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation and insight into Finlays awesome abilities.

[@michelepetit-jean3607]

Thanks Mr Beard for introducing us to all theses masterful illustrators. An inspiration.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation of the channel content. It's great to know I'm getting through to viewers.

[@LitHouseTieDye]

Thank you Pete. Always a pleasure to enjoy a cup of tea and a Pete Beard video on a Sunday morning.

[@petebeard]

Hello again and Im glad you enjoyed the video.

[@garybassin1651]

I was introduced to his work in the early 1970s. Needless to say, I was blown away by his meticulous attention to detail. I read in one of several books about him that he was always missing deadlines for turning his work in because of his time-consuming techniques. People often compliment me on the minute details in my own work but I tell them that they should look at the work of Virgil Findlay.

[@petebeard]

Thanks again for the comment. Curiosity got the better of me and I tried to track down your work on the internet, but couldn't find a match. I'm guessing your youtube name is a cunning alias.

[@christopherpearson7133]

I could binge watch this channel. Once again Pete Beard takes us on a magical trip into the incredible imagination of yet another genius illustrator. It is such a pity that artists like Virgil Finlay and the numerous other talented illustrators that Pete Beard has researched and published here seem to fall into a category that is neglected by the 'ART WORLD' as if it were a 'sub-form' of artistic expression. Thanks Pete.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your particularly positive comment about the channel. It really does gladden my heart to know that the work is appreciated.

[@Banner_Bearer_of_Eternity]

Thank you Pete! Really great illustrator.

[@petebeard]

Hello again and I'm glad you enjoyed his work.

[@sail2byzantium]

This was wonderful! I've always loved Finlay's work. Some of the very best illustration ever with that pain-staking use of pen and ink and scratch board that is not to be believed--but there it is! Thank you Peter Beard for posting!

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@davidsobel3303]

Truly masterful, the detail and content are fantastic! I'm amazed at the sheer talent he possesed.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks a lot for your comment and appreciation.

[@MobiusBandwidth]

one of the greatest artists of all time. total genius. vastly underappreciated.

[@petebeard]

Very true and thanks for the comment

[@treasuresunderfoot7876]

Well Pete, you managed to turn me onto another fantastic illustrator that I was unaware of. I sure like his monotone works. What a career for such a short life. Thanks for all your wonderful videos.

[@petebeard]

Hello and Im very pleased to have introduced you to his work. Thanks for the comment.

[@StephenLyons-tl8ie]

Another great presentation. I've always admired VFs work; a true artist.

[@petebeard]

Hello and sorry for the very late reply. I dont know how but I missed it at the time. So my belated thanks.

[@justspacegoatfarts]

Pulp Fiction , ah ha , thank you pete again for a little illumination , Great as always

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks for the comment as usual.

[@seandahlquist883]

Wonderful video and commentary as usual!

[@petebeard]

Hi and thanks a lot for your supportive comment.

[@joblogs1176]

Thank you Pete for telling me about finley I have never heard of him until today.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm glad to have introduced his work to you and others.

[@maheshchandra6999]

Hi,Pete you are inspiration for young art aspirants. thanks for providing a valuable illustrations of great artist of all the sphere of life.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment, which is very welcome. One of the main reasons for creating the channel was to attempt to inspire younger illustrators.

[@Voirreydirector]

I have just discovered you dear, and I say thank you! Finlay needs to be remembered for his unique pen work. These days young illustrators could probably reproduced his patterns on computer and bring the technique forward, but only if they are exposed to it.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm very glad that another viewer's orbit has collided with mine. I hope you continue to find content that's of interest.

[@timtate226]

Absolutely brilliant monochrome artist. He was a giant of American illustration.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for the comment. I don't think there are many who would argue with that.

[@horace577]

Wow! these guys get better and better I am "Gobsmacked" by this gents talent, I really like the monochrome work, hard to believe all done by hand.

[@petebeard]

Hello again and Finlay was certainly one of the greats when it came to monochrome. The mind boggles...

[@anilachar323]

Thank you, Pete! I never even knew the name of this talent, though I had seen some of the B&W hatched and stippled illustrations presented here before. His B&W illustrations are way ahead of his oils and gouaches! - to get the ambient light bouncing off the umbra and penumbra shadows is an insane gift!

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks for the comment. You're 100% on the mark regarding those monochromes.

[@vincentgoupil180]

Finlay work would've be better using airbrush rather than the flatness of gouache and oil. Ever read Johan Wolfgang von Goethe's book "Theory of Colour"? The excellent website *Handprint* has an article "j.w. von goethe's "zur farbenlehre". Ah, Goethe the un-Newton :)

[@albinnibla]

Now there's a name I haven't heard in a while! Beautiful work! I loved it since I was a kid!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appreciation of the video.

[@robhead22]

Incredible work!! Im so happy to have found this inspiring video survey of this artist’s work!! Thank you!

[@TheMikester307]

Thank you so much for this! I've admired V.F.'s work for years!

[@petebeard]

Hi again and I'm very glad you enjoyed the video. What a talent he had.

[@carlgrove8793]

Always amazes me that there are genuine giants of illustration working for little known magazines, while so-called artists who produce piles of soil or grotesque scrawls are described as genuises by the mainstream art establishment. We certainly live in a back-to-front world.

[@petebeard]

Hello and amen to that.

[@kseniyamorein5481]

Thank you so much for spreading information about these artists. Incredible works.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appreciation of the video and the channel in general. Oh... and your subscription, of course.

[@emptyentertainments7914]

Thanks Pete I'd seen some of the illustrations but was ignorant of the artist now I'm not, so again thank you

[@petebeard]

Hello again and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@Freakaboogie]

virgil finlay's work is incredible. excellent video!

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot, and you won't get any argument from me about his remarkable abilities.

[@seanmichaelhurley]

How can it be I'm only being introduced to Finlay now? Fabulous work.

[@petebeard]

Hello and it seems you are far from alone in not having previously known the wonders of his work. I'm glad to say the mission of the channel is therefore succeeding.

[@seanmichaelhurley]

@@petebeard Agreed! Thanks for your efforts.

[@kevinbarrett9615]

Incredible artistry, technique , and detail.

[@petebeard]

Hello, and that just about sums up his abilities perfectly.

[@jramsey9690]

Wonderful video. Never heard of Finlay. Now I’m really intrigues. Thank you for your wisdom.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment. I'm glad to have introduced you to his work.

[@Blissblizzard]

Talking of pulp fiction covers, have you done The artist and illustrator Josh Kirby ( UK) yet? He produced plenty of 1950s and 60s pulp novel covers, but he also did a poster for "The Life of Brian", the poster was banned. He also provided Terry Pratchett with all his "brand identity " covers, which Terry hated, but was stuck with because they were stood out (Terry complained that Josh never even read the books and so got the characterisation wrong, Josh could have cared less) The Walker Art Gallery (UK) has done extensive research on him, he was a recluse and painted massive canvases just for his own pleasure, (which his brother only found after his death).

[@petebeard]

Hello, and although I haven't (yet) featured Kirby I'm an immense fan of his work. Some years back I saw an exhibiton of his paintings at the Walker from early advertising stuff up to the huge Pratchett works and felt like I'd died and gone to heaven. I remember the 'four-eyed' Twoflower on the first book. I like Kidby too, but Kirby's evocations will always be the Discworld for me. I will feature him eventually but it must be admitted he will be at the back of a fairly long queue of works in progress.

[@Blissblizzard]

@@petebeard That's excellent on so many levels, the Walker is my favourite Gallery in the UK, the attendants have a pride and a passion, they will insist that you go and see their favourite picture. Many of them if not all are council employees retrained from areas unconnected with art, but whatever induction they get they should bottle it give it away or sell it. Haven't been for a few years, but whoever curates the exhibitions is a conscientious genius, all the exhibits are arranged as if to talk and reflect and build on each other, (l can't explain how l experience it any better than that) and they love their job clearly, for instance, at the Joseph Wright of Derby exhibit about light, their is so much context provided, on one of the small information cards it was pointed out that some of the unconnected portrait sitters, were wearing the same jewelry, and the he must he have therefore lent out "bling"... Josh Kirby? I had never put a name to Discworld series covers. What a sublime marriage of curation and artist that show was, which l didn't even know existed, we travelled many miles, twice, to see it, lingered for hours. Again the friendly attendants were like "You must go to the back of the gallery and see our latest show, You must! I could walk around that show in my head, still to this day - all the way to the giant bowl of veg. Giant Billboard sized bowl of veg?? Because, why not? gotta love Kirby's ability to please himself. Bought 2 poster sized books of his artwork, loved the fact he was coy about his influences, learnt so much just trying to work him out. Zero problem waiting, as illustration fascinates me the most and there is such a wealth of work out there. You spoil us Art Ambassador.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

I think I,ll hop onto the Mersey Ferry and visit the Walker...assuming that is the right Walker..?...

[@bronzstar482]

I would like to take this moment to say thank you. This program has become dear to me and I no longer even like to view it unless I have a proper screen and time to focus my attention on it. In particular this episode was very dear to my heart because as a child I was illiterate until the age of 12 but both my mother and grandmother had extensive collections of pulp fiction books and science-fiction magazines and the illustrations there in were a inspiration for me in my formative years. I have since read most of these works and been exposed to many images of popular and fine art but these are still the images that stir something deep within in me.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your fascinating comment. That you have overcome your early problem is very pleasing to hear and I'm very glad that images such as these have inspired you along the way.

[@juanmanueldelvalle7969]

Another good one video! Love all of them! Thank You very much! 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appreciation.

[@oliverjohnson4614]

The legend Pete Beard strikes again! Thanks for all you do brother!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your flattering comment. I like the sound of that.

[@pattheplanter]

Old convert, I am afraid, familiar with his work for over 40 years. I recommend looking through back copies of Weird Tales on the Internet Archive.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for the comment. I must admit the Archive has been a great help in all my visual research.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

On my to do list Pat....

[@choochoochooseyou]

These artists are the reason most of us bought these magazines yet they were always shunted into the background.

[@davidwootton683]

Thankyou very much for taking the trouble to share this with us. Kind regards, and greetings from Africa.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appreciation for the video. They take tine to make but they are far from trouble. It's one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done.

[@JoseOliveira-kc4tr]

Thank you for another beautiful video. Obrigado.👍🇬🇧🇵🇹

[@petebeard]

Hello again and I'm pleased you are still watching and enjoying the channel.

[@kismypencek6185]

👏👏👏💚 his use of nuclear light is beyond my imagination!!! His fantasy style is similar to what they say 'new school' in the tattoo world. His body of work is priceless indeed.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for the comment. I hadn;t thought about the tattoo connection but you're right about his influence.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Good comment, Kassia,

[@BlackSeranna]

Great video! I was drawn in by your thumbnail. I am absolutely sure I've seen his works when I was a kid in the 1970's.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appreciation and comment.

[@lindaking9222]

Such an accomplished illustrator…the details in his earlier black & white works on pulp paper are amazing…that paper adds a whole different pleasing quality to the illustrations

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks for the comment, as usual. I doubt Finlay or his colleagues would have shared your opinion about the print quality, though. But illustrators (including me when I was working) are fond of complaining about print quality.

[@lindaking9222]

@@petebeard that’s understandable ,my view is more from an artistic eye,line wasn’t nearly as sharp on the pulp paper which no doubt disappointed the illustrator at that time

[@prof.heinous191]

Thanks for introducing many of us to yet another major new talent. Like you say it's a shame he never went a shade more upmarket!

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks as usual. I can't help wondering what he would have made of classics such as the Odyssey or The Divine Comedy.

[@divyajnana]

Thank you, as usual, for your instruction and illumination of wonderful illustrators. Never heard of Finley, sadly; what an extraordinary talent. And thank you for the derivation of "Pulp Fiction." Didn't know dat one either. You make me feel stupid, but I'm smarter in the end.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment. Before I started this series of videos I thought I knew a lot about illustration and illustrators. I was wrong.

[@IdoSchacham]

Marvellous illustrations, thanks for this video

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appreciation of the video.

[@ContextDependent]

I really do appreciate this channel. Thank you so much for you efforts!

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your appreciation and subscription.

[@richardlisiura3025]

As a person who discovered his work in the 1970's, I didn't realize the volume of his work. He was quite an inspiration to me.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your comment. He was certainly prolific, especially when you consider the painstaking methods.

[@maghurt]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I absolutely love Virgil Finley!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for the appreciation. He was undoubtedly one of a kind (although Hannes Bok and Edd Cartier come quite close).

[@keithr.4645]

I'd never heard of Finlay, thank you for enlightening me!

[@petebeard]

Hello and it's always a particular pleasure to know I've succeeded in spreading the word about these neglected figures.

[@memeowlove6392]

Thank you so much for this channel, I’m a fellow artist and this is exactly what I’ve been hoping to find when I lack inspiration or just want my mind blown.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for the comment. To know that the channel content can serve as an inspirational resource is very rewarding.

[@evertvandenberghe]

Another great video to get to know great illustrators and images ;) tnx!!

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks again for the appreciation.

[@greggoreo6738]

This Man was more than a draftsman, his forehead was kissed, by one of those divine Muses, as few human artists ever know. Respectfully and Gratefully yours Gregg Oreo Long Beach CA États Unis

[@matthieujoly]

This is a fantastic art of work.. i do love, a lot.. science-fiction, and these illustrations are in the classic period ! Again, really great discovery, thnaks you !

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm very glad you enjoyed this video. More science fiction illustrators are coming in future videos too.

[@JohnInTheShelter]

Just discovered this channel, magnificent brief looks at significant illustrators.

[@petebeard]

Hello and welcome aboard. I hope you continue to find content that's of interest.

[@JohnInTheShelter]

@@petebeard A year later and I still can't get enough of your videos. Congrats on your continued success. (And I enjoy your music, too.) Finley was one of the first illustrators of science fiction stories to interest me, along with Hannes Bok. I'm glad such great work hasn't been lost.

[@amougouclarke8557]

Great episode, thanks to introduce this artist, really thanks you

[@petebeard]

Hello again and I'm glad you enjoyed Finlay's remarkable work.

[@Davy.J.Y]

This artist is amazing, he prodced stunning artworks. I love all of those pulp magazine covers.. I love his black and white works . This was a wonderful video, thank you for posting this and entertaining us all with this fantastic artists work.

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks for your continued interest in the channel. I'm glad you enjoyed this video and eventually I will finish my history of pulp art video, which I hope you'll also appreciate.

[@stephennagy6344]

You pick some of the best, overlooked illustrators and I love to see their works compiled! Art history like most history is totally misrepresented, and your channel proves this. Keep up the great work Peter.

[@petebeard]

Hello and your comment is music to my ears. I like to think I'm bringing these major talents to wider attention, more in keeping with their rematkable achievements.

[@joseangelhernandez5274]

Wow! amazing artist, i never heard of him, thank you for the enlightenment!

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your comment. It's a real pleasure to know I'm introducing talents such as Finlay's to a wider audience.

[@wildfood1]

Thanks Pete, that was really wonderful : )

[@petebeard]

Hi and as ever you are more than welcome.

[@patricklee7241]

I just want to express how much I appreciate your talents and this channel. It's one of one my favorites and is far far beyond underrated. Thank you Mr. Beard.

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your very welcome comment. I'd like more views but they - and subscriptions - continue to rise if only slowly, and I'm grateful for that.

[@glacier68]

Thanks for this review. I found Finley through a reprint of A. Merritt's "Moon Pool," a forgotten classic in itself.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your comment.

[@justinwilliams2776]

Finlay's the best! Thank you, Pete Beard!

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm glad you enjoyed the tribute to his great work.

[@justinwilliams2776]

@@petebeard Thank you Mr. Beard! I'm a great fan of your work recording and bringing illustrators, famous and unknown, to our attention. At age 71, I study, copy and am inspired by them from your KZbin videos. I can't thank you enough for all of your great work!

[@myu4039]

Wonderful, Thanks!

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks for the appreciation.

[@jamespuleo3269]

Thanks for posting !! This is the first of your essays that I have seen, and I will definitely be seeking out more. Great subject~~ and well done~~ it both gives and deserves much respect.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I'm very glad you have discovered the channel. And of course I hope that you will find plenty more that's of interest to you. I put up a new video about every 10 days.

[@albertcscs]

Hi Pete, a breathing production for an iconic illustrator. Finlay is number 1 of the pulps, and, as you have shown, the beauty and imagination of his work has no equal. I believe there is a book of his American Weekly illustrations too, but I think he only drew one of their covers. I'll bet this is going to be your first one million views video. Your narration was informative and interesting, I would have used lots more superlatives for Virgil. Thanks for a five star production.

[@petebeard]

Hi again and thanks for the appreciation. I don't know about that million, but so far it's the most viewed video in the time it's been up. Time will tell...

[@timmajor3373]

Great. He drew a Wendigo to illustrate Algernon Blackwood's tale. Probably the first to depict one.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your comment and appreciation.

[@nancye7520]

Thanks- a great one!

[@lawrencechalmers5432]

I wish a volume of his work would be published. His illustrations have staying power.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for the comment. I see there are some books available featuring his work on amazon, but they seem to all be old, second hand and expensive.

[@simonward-horner7605]

What a master! An excellent video, Pete. I can see I have a lot of catching up to do after a long hiatus here.

[@petebeard]

Hello and you are forgiven for your absence - I dare say youve been earning a living, and attendance at the PB academy isn't compulsory. But I hope you enjoy catching up.

[@simonward-horner7605]

@@petebeard Hello! You're right, I was busy, all back to normal now, hunting for another job. I'll enjoy going through all of your postings, for sure.

[@josephgabriel3609]

Have seen Finlay's work over the years, but never knew his name or anything about him. Amazing, Brilliant work and for ALL illustrators Finlay's name should be at the top of their "Heroes List." Thank you for this post! Subscribed!!🙏

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appreiation and subscription. I hope you'll find enough other stuff on the channel to keep you interested.

[@maxlinder5262]

No formal art schooling .. really AMAZING 😍.....

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks fir the comment. Maybe one day I'll do a video featuring all the greats who never saw the inside of an art school. There were many, that's for sure.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

@@petebeard that would be interesting....

[@maxlinder5262]

@@petebeard ..yes that would be great 😃👍...

[@petrolandcoffee]

incredible work

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for the comment.

[@peaceloveandbureaucracy3568]

You mention him fighting in the war, and that makes me wonder about something. We have all heard about Rosie the Riveter. But to what extent did women artists take over for male artists who went off to war? Any specific examples? We'd love a video on this.

[@albertcscs]

If you look at Pete's videos you will see some for both women and war illustrators.

[@petebeard]

Hello and I see Albert has already pointed you in the direction I was going to. I havent done a specific video on the subject but it is true that during both world wars a few female illustrators rose to greater fame and fortune. Mabel Lucie Attwell in WW1 for example.

[@strayCATchillspot]

💛😊🎈thank you for these fascinating gratis lectures... maximum respect from Toronto 🍀🌟

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your appreciation of the channel. Most welcome.

[@michaelmontcombroux3413]

As you so well point out, Virgil Finlay had an incredible grasp on technique. I don't think anyone comes near him with regard to scratchboard. Another tastefully presented video, Pete. Well done! Michael

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks as ever. I'm glad you appreciate his work.

[@RykerFreegeld]

Best channel ever.

[@petebeard]

Hello and that's a very flattering statement. It's great that my work is appreciated by viewers, so thanks a lot.

[@mckeestudio1101]

I've been a fan of Finlay since my youthful illustrator days and appreciate that many others have discovered this intriguing gentleman's art. Bear in mind, however, that the artist's signature style high contrast pen and ink illustrations are not accurately described as "line" drawings. Finlay primarily used a stippling technique, placing minute individual points of ink in order to define form and create values.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your comment and appreciation. Just to clarify, I'm using the term 'line' illustration to differentiate from tonal, as in a 'line only' image. A reference to print rather than technique. I don't know what nationality you are but imaybe the British distinction doesn't work elsewhere.

[@donovanhaas7315]

Reminded me a bit of Bernie Wrightson. The black and white drawings are particularly wonderful.

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for the comment. If you're a Wrightson fan he features in a video on the channel titled 'between the lines' all about black and white illustrators.

[@kathleenhensley5951]

I recognize his work. I saw in the magazines when younger.

[@petebeard]

Hello and the video seems to have had an impact on quite a few viewers, I'm glad to say.

[@twistoffate4791]

I wonder if Finlay ever got nightmares from his own images, lol. I don't mention the possibility to be flippant, but out of basic curiosity. For sure, though, he was a profoundly talented artist. One thing that interested me was that a rocket & spaceman he drew landed in the snowy mountains instead of the desert, like so many other artistic renderings. Thanks again, Pete. Can't wait to find out what's next.

[@petebeard]

Hello, and that's an interesting proposition. It seems unlikely to me, though. For the creator (in my own very humble but lengthy experience) you tend to be immune to the psychological or emotional nature of the subject matter. Plenty more on the way.