UNSUNG HEROES OF ILLUSTRATION PART 18

[@TheMarkEH]

The series of videos that you are creating are not only educational and entertaining, but I beleive that they will become an important and invaluable reference library for students interrested in illustration. Great work Pete.

[@petebeard]

Hello Mark, and thanks a lot for your flattering comments. Creating an online resource - and learning more myself - are the chief reasons I'm doing this.

[@CastellanSpandex]

​@@petebeard I agree wholeheartedly with Mark. These are such a valuable resource. You're introducing me to so many artists I hadn't heard of. A brilliant channel! Thank you for putting the work in, Pete!

[@roghaz1]

I'm now going through the entire series for the third time. You've created an invaluable record of history in an easily accessible form. Thank you so much.

[@petebeard]

Hello and my thanks to you for such enthusiasm for the channel. It really does make me convinced I'm doing something worthwhile and the illustrators are getting greater appreciation. Sorry I can't produce them faster!

[@roghaz1]

@@petebeard You are DEFINITELY doing something worthwhile. Not only the "Unsung Heroes of Illustration" series, but all your other videos as well. Again, thank you. I'm recommending the videos to other artists and have posted links on various social media in the hope of making others aware of your work.

[@LitHouseTieDye]

It turns out that an interest can become a passion in less than 20 episodes. I started out looking at Art Nouveau because it just randomly came up and I thought..."Oh Yea! I really respond to those images." Then I found you and learned about the Golden Age of Illustration. I quickly realized that I have always really enjoyed visual narrative. I just never had really thought about it. Watching these videos has ignited something in me that has been laying dormant waiting to emerge. When a person has gone through difficult circumstances in life and suffer mentally as a result, it can be very helpful to have positive things for the brain to think about in order to rewire the negative experiences. At first it was just a good topic of interest to keep my spinning brain from ruminating in dark spaces.It's also very calming to watch the images. Somewhere around episode 10 I realized I'm really into so many aspects of illustration. Today I decided to learn to draw. It's something I always wanted to do. My husband who is a very good artist has always said anyone can learn. I always doubted. But I realized that I don't have to be an amazing artist to create visual narrative. I just have to learn to draw and then draw. At the very least it's amazing art therapy even if I'm never any good at it. These videos have given me inspiration, and knowledge, and an actual language of art that I can relate to and understand. It's a bit strange to have a stranger on the other side of the ocean change your life in such a meaningful way. Thank-You so much for doing this work. It seems a bit trite to say "You changed my life" But honestly...I think you changed my life. I know I already thanked you in another post, but I just wanted to let you know that you have really given me a gift that I'll take with me into the rest of my life. Sorry for the lengthy post. (also I really enjoy your narration. It's very easy to listen to.)

[@LitHouseTieDye]

I'm using the first book my husband got as a child to learn to draw. It's called "Learn to Draw With Jon Gnagy" published in 1959. My first lesson went fairly well. I'm just going to keep taking baby steps. :)

[@petebeard]

Hello again, and thanks so much for your response to the channel. I am overwhelmed by the depth of your appreciation and if watching these videos - and now more importantly creating some of your own - helps you with problems in your life that can only be a very good thing. I know from my own experience that this is true. Good luck with your new occupation and I hope you find success exploring the visual language that is art and illustration.

[@billhennig1087]

This has moved me to realize that hope is equally as wonderful as hope , and discovering types of very good ways to brighten your life and cope far more healthy plus as sure happy. Great working on yourself.

[@borromine]

This is such a tremendous series. My mother was a painter starting RISD in 1923. One of her mentors studied with both Puvis de Chavannes and Bouguereau. ( and very embarrassed by his Bouguereau connection!) I had many of the illustrators you survey in the many books in Our library. Rojanovsky was my mother’s favorite illustrator back in the day! My mother studied with Hans Hoffman and I had a sort of a connection to Robert Rauchenberg. I also studied art history extensively. I mention all this simply to say that I am moderately well informed about art and design and I have say this is simply the best and the most informative survey of an art form I have ever encountered. Really GREAT!!!

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks for your enthusiastic reponse to the channel. It means a lot to me when viewers can be bothered to let me know that they are enjoying the videos, and from the sound of it you are a person who has considerable knowledge of the visual arts. So I'm particularly glad that you find it of interest.

[@CastellanSpandex]

Frank Godwin's art is phenomenal!! The comic art is so clean. Thanks for the intro! 🙏

[@GullaLevy]

Hi Peter, I love your videos, magnificent job. One notable ommission on Dorothy Lathrop, though. She was awarded the very first Caldecott Medal in 1938 for her Animals of the Bible with Helen Dean Fish. Slowly I'm getting through them all. thank you for all your hard work

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your appreciation of the channel. That piece of information, like quite a few others, unfortunately slipped under my admittedly ramshackle radar. Sometimes I have to leave material out because I can't get images of good enough quality but I see in this case there are at least a couple including the cover, so I can't hide behind that.

[@GullaLevy]

@@petebeard no complaints here. I think you do a great job.

[@QueenBee-gx4rp]

Stunning illustrations! I enjoyed them so much! Thank you for all that work.

[@petebeard]

Thanks-it makes it worthwhile to know people like what I do

[@QueenBee-gx4rp]

pete beard You’re most welcome! As an artist myself, I was very taken with the art work of Dorothy Lathrop. I’m going to try to order “The Littlest Mouse” today. I never miss your videos and am continually astounded by the beauty of these illustrations. Do I detect a Yorkshire accent in your voice? My family came from there many years ago to start again here in Connecticut and your words sound familiar! 😉

[@petebeard]

Hi again -and that's a very good guess. It's actually a Manchester accent but I lived in Yorkshire for quite a while and it's only 30 miles away so it's not that different.

[@QueenBee-gx4rp]

pete beard Ha ha! Manchester was my second guess! Thanks for answering! 🤗

[@gabrielerosa665]

Hi Pete! Last week I've visited a famous english bookstore in Barcelona. I usually go to see novelties, new editions, english grammars...but I must say you : mainly to watch tendencies in book covers. I really enjoyed it, seems to me like stand in a design exhibition. And also think about you and your channel, today tou show us an array of beatiful book covers ( min 2:09, 4:11, 4:24, 4:43, 5:35, ......., 8:19, 11:12, 11:27 ) and returns to me what I've been thinking at the book store: ¿ how much depends on a great cover illustration the book's success? And I'm not precisely talking about illustrated books, I try to enfasize this invisible link between a writer and the artist who bring a "face" to his book.I'm no giving you more work...but I really think that it's a good topic to investigate and give us your results. Another productive breafast watching your channel, see you soon.

[@petebeard]

Hello Gabriel and it's good to hear from you again. I'm glad you continue to enjoy the videos with your breakfast. And it's obvious that great minds think alike. A video on book cover design and illustration has been on my list for a while now. So has another about vinyl record album covers. Every so often I add more information to both but it could be a while before they are completed. Both subjects are at the tail end of a very long queue of other work in progress. But I really do value your suggestion and I would welcome other ideas too, if you have any.

[@guyguden7553]

discovered your work with the entry AMERICAN ILLUSTRATION IN THE 1950s. now 18 chapters into UNSUNG HEROES... brilliant overview here on a personal, over 60 year love of magazine illustration. as an American born kid in love with magazines, artists like MAD cover creators Frank Kelley Freas and Norman Mingo have always inspired, as well as the interior artists for the satire, sci-fi, mystery and sophisticated men's magazines. thank you for your care and devotion to these folks and introduction to the best Europe and the world has offered before.

[@petebeard]

Hello Guy and thanks very much for your appreciation of my work. Funny you should mention MAD-I'm about half way through a video devoted to the original gang of idiots. As a kid I wanted to be Jack Davis or Paul Coker but never managed it. Anyway I hope to upload it in a couple of video's time so watch this space. Pete

[@majeddraws5104]

a great episode!!! I enjoyed every second of it! thank you very much!

[@petebeard]

That's music to my ears

[@TomSawyerTV]

Hi, Pete, I just found out about your channel from my brother, two days ago. Very nice to see the segment on Frank Godwin. For many years, I have collected Godwin material. I own the original oil-painting of the archer seen at 1 min. 45 sec. It was used in a nice calendar in the early 1920s. That painting is more or less the cornerstone of my collection. I also have two other oils by Godwin and lots of other stuff!-Tom

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your appreciation of the channel. I hope you'll continue to find work by great illustrators, both familiar and unfamiliar. It's a source of great regret to me that finding original illustration in British galleries and museums is a very rare pleasure. Needless to say I'm envious.

[@dalysiomoreno16]

Great stuff Pete, watching your series convinced me there is clearly a book to be written about Unsung Heroes Of Illustration

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot. There probably is a book to be written - but not by me. It takes far too long to put such a thing together and editors are a pain in the backside.

[@steveham2106]

Excellent. Thank's Peter another great episode.

[@petebeard]

And thanks for your continued support

[@jknuttel]

_Connie_ is a wonderful comic strip. I wish I could get the entire run.

[@TheKevphil]

I worked for a graphic designer and his partner as a storyboard artist for 4-5 years in the early '80s. He was not an illustrator himself but had at one time enrolled in the Famous Artists' School. I don't think he finished, but he did share with me some of his oversized textbooks from the course. Beautiful volumes!

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks again for your professional insight. I'm currently working on Albert Dorne, who founded that course. What an artist. And regarding small noses, as a big nosed Englishman it seems that America is generally quite obsessed with small noses, as a defining feature for a handsome man and a cute female. It's usually the first thing to go in cosmetic surgery, and other than The Shadow I can't think of any comic book characters with a large proboscis...

[@TheKevphil]

@@petebeard Albert Dorne is GREAT! His figures are a lot like John Buscema's (when the latter wasn't drawing Conan!). Very animated, realistic but also vital and spontaneous. I think Dorne would have made a great comics artist, except that he probably liked making money! lol I look forward to seeing your video very much! Any luck researching Filipino cartoonists?

[@Borella309]

Hi Pete - Congratulations (and Many Thanks) on another great presentation!

[@billhennig1087]

This is really super well done. Pete Beard this is another touchdown for you!

[@petebeard]

Thanks a lot. Your appreciation of my efforts is very welcome

[@johannsmithe2570]

*Thanks* for another informative and very well produced presentation. Nice to bookend two representational illustrators between the more stylistic ones. (sort of like a box of chocolate covered candies ... 😏) Al Parker is very good but his 'proclivities' suggestive in his work is ... dunno the word for it. 2:53 humorous to put the balloon caption lead on the horse's derriere. Lower left frame

[@petebeard]

Hello again, and none of my business but you seem to be getting through these at some speed. That;s good but you'll make me feel bad when you run out of more to watch. And I appreciate all (favourable) comments - it's as close as I get to a social life since Covid.

[@johannsmithe2570]

@@petebeard *Ez no problem* I hope to watch them over and over, the content level and how well made they're made is worth it in addition to the enjoyment* of discovering something new each time (plus, compared to what's out there on illustation as many viewers have noted your presentations are a goldmine). I do feel bad for the way too many comments I post. Trying to get a handle on that and just say "Great work Pete" and leave it at that. Sorry your social life is affected by the current times, as are your viewers, but then ... your viewers gain (hope that came off right) 😁 * of course, mo' what's fun is realizing the mutual influences amongst the myriad of ilustrators and periodicals and, the resulting outcome of how we see Illustration today. Seeing is an acquired skill not to be taken for granted. My opinion

[@petebeard]

I very much hope you dont reduce your comments to simple thanks (although that's always welcome). You invariably have something of interest to add. And my remark about a social life was meant to be tongue in cheek but this method of communicating misses nuance frequently - and I refuse to use those damn emojis. Truth is I never had a social life. (More humour). And regarding your parting shot when I taught I was fond of telling students I couldn't teach them how to draw but I could teach them how to see.

[@thecollageman3290]

Thank you peter , I would never have known about all this beautiful work , only for you. Thanks

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot for your appreciation. I hope you'll watch other videos and find more that's new to you.

[@gregday5169]

Good stuff Pete. Really love the production quality. Each of your videos should get 100,000 views and likes! (if not more)

[@petebeard]

Hi and thanks for your ongoing support. I wouldn't complain if the numbers shot up but at least the viewers I have are enthusiastic

[@mijiyoon5575]

*Bawden* was lucky to survive a ship being sunk by war attack 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀 & *Parker used children's crayons* 🤔😲 ...I may try that ... as a matter of fact I have some on hand😁

[@gabriellew6467]

Time for another episode, five more brought out from shadowland. Frank Godwin changed styles very often, yet each time he produced impressive work, including paintings. Dorothy Latrop is an artist whose work I felt drawn to (maybe not so much the fairies, perhaps) and particularly the Dog in the Tapestry Garden I thought was enchanting, probably because I’m very partial to tapestries. In complete contrast, Cyril Bouda is so much more severe but equally interesting, taking flights of fantasy through Gulliver’s Travels. Edward Bawden’s work is delightful, whichever direction he takes - the tiger, the peacock, posters, wallpaper - astonishing images. Al Parker’s illustrations I very nearly thought of as mild pulp fiction, only to be brought up short by some illustrations that were anything but. I mentally apologised to the man. You produce what you get paid for, but his talent is quite unquestionable. And if that still sounds condescending, I apologise to him again. Thank you once more for providing hours of fun. And since it’s that time of year, let me send you a few Christmas wishes: Wishing for happiness, for health, (And just maybe a little wealth?) Wishing for peace - that’s peace of mind. And more peace, of the other kind. Wishing for laughter and for fun, That tasks always with smiles are done. Wishing that kindness may prevail. Does that sound like a fairytale? Wishes come true (sometimes they do) My Christmas wishes - just for you. Have a lovely festive season

[@petebeard]

Hello again, and I'm going to skip the 'thanks for watching bi' as I'm sure you know by now your comments are always welcome. As it happens I'm currently working on a solo spot for Dorothy Lathrop which should be uploaded at least moderately soon. And funnily enough my other current solo fixation is Cyril Bouda. Bawden is already featured, due to my plan to return to those unsungs for whom I can find enough material. And many thanks for your rhyme and good wishes. My own go out to you and yours, but you'll have to settle for prose, I'm afraid.

[@Leotagorax]

Great episode, I like all of them! Bookmarked. Thanks.

[@petebeard]

Hello and that;s what I like to hear. Thanks.

[@glynstimpson]

Hello Pete great video very informative thanks

[@sanjaykambleart8195]

GREAT COLLECTION AND INFO.. REALLY APPRECIATED..THANK YOU🙂

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks a lot. And I really enjoyed watching one if your speed-drawing videos too.

[@sanjaykambleart8195]

@@petebeard Thanks you that is really nice..👍🌷😊

[@johncollado1151]

Hi Pete... this one is my favorite so far, I really enjoy the realistic renderings in pen and ink. Thanks.

[@petebeard]

...and hello again to you, John. Thanks for sticking with the channel. I realised I've still got more to do than I've already done so no problem wondering what to do with myself in retirement.

[@johncollado1151]

@@petebeard I'm retired also, but don't have any issues finding something to do. Part of that is watching your videos, I really do enjoy them. It's like learning art history all over again.

[@andrewdomo]

fantastic series. I only really wish you would mention the artists you're talking about in the title

[@n3bie]

That would make for a pretty long awkward title haha. I wouldn't mind it in the description box though, since I regularly look up the artists I'm unfamiliar with after each episode and having the names listed would make that a tad easier.

[@petebeard]

Hi and glad you like it. I'm struggling to understand what benefit there would be in naming the illustrators up front though...

[@andrewdomo]

@@petebeard to categorize the videos for viewers to refer back to if they wish to watch them again.

[@andrewdomo]

yeah or a description box. I mean you're talking about unknown illustrators here haha. I'm sure you want to help with the anonymity

[@petebeard]

Now I get it - never thought about that. So consider it done. From here on they'll be in the description

[@andeven1]

Recently found Edward Bawden's lithographs in the Folio Society edition of Gulliver's Travels.

[@petebeard]

Hi and thanks for the comment.He's a much undervalued talent I think. I may have to feature him in his own video somewhere down the line

[@fernandagomes6515]

Hello, Peter! Congratulations for the amazing channel. I love your videos. I’m a school teacher in Portugal. I teach subjects related to art. My pupils are very interested in illustration. I’m contacting you because I would like to translate your videos into Portuguese, if it´s possible. I believe that more people would have the opportunity to appreciate your videos… among them, my pupils. Thank you for sharing with the world your knowledge. Best regards, Fernanda Gomes

[@petebeard]

Hello Fernanda. I'm sorry it took me this long to reply to your comment, but I have only just seen it. I don't know why it didn't show up before. Anyway thanks for your comment and you can feel free to translate the subtitles on the later videos, where I have put closed captions. This would enable you to create a Portuguese language version for your pupils.

[@fernandagomes6515]

@@petebeard Thank you so much :)

[@tonygohagan2766]

Excellent. Thank You !

[@petebeard]

And thanks to you for sticking with the channel

[@tonygohagan2766]

@@petebeard you make it easy!!! 😊

[@dibujemaestro]

Fantastic work

[@petebeard]

Hello and many thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it and thanks for subscribing.

[@TheKevphil]

One interesting thing about Frank Godwin is the proportion of his faces. While he was obviously very skilled, he drew his characters' noses consistently short in length. As you note, the faces (and everything else!) were otherwise very well drawn, but this one idiosyncrasy seemed telling to me. I am reminded (weirdly!) that Jack Kirby, of all people, did the same thing, though his portrayals of faces past the 1960s were hardly realistic at all.

[@alexandrebeaudoin-laporte5325]

6:27 Cyril Bouda

[@clindsay8362]

Wonderful stuff!

[@petebeard]

Hi Catherine. Thanks for sticking with the channel. The list just keeps getting longer so I hope I don't fall off my perch any time soon...

[@alexandrebeaudoin-laporte5325]

3:39 Dorothy Lathrop

[@rickcroucher]

Have you put together a book with all this wonderful information?

[@petebeard]

Hello and thanks for your positive comments. I would have loved to produce this as a book, but sadly there are too many reasons why not. I'd have to find a publisher (not easy,believe me). I couldn't display anything like the number of images per artist as in the videos umless the book was a couple of thousand pages long. And last but not least by the time it got published (if it did) it would more than likely be posthumous. I should have thought of this 10 years ago when I was an academic, but I was too busy trying to get students to use the right end of a pencil

[@rickcroucher]

@@petebeard It would certainly make a beautiful volume. Thank you for your answer.

[@alexandrebeaudoin-laporte5325]

11:40 Al Parker

[@alexandrebeaudoin-laporte5325]

8:54 Edward Bawden

[@joedez454]

Thanks again Pete!

[@petebeard]

Hello again and thanks for the comment. I always get a lift from favourable responses.

[@alexandrebeaudoin-laporte5325]

0:26 Frank Godwin

[@viccreator4062]

please dont stop

[@petebeard]

Thanks...and I'll stop when I drop

[@rishoir768]

Your videos are so rich

[@petebeard]

What a nice way of saying it..thanks

[@ryanbartlett672]

Thanks. Enjoyed. Third

[@petebeard]

...and thanks to you for the comment.