Learn To Draw with Jon Gnagy (1951, WABD, DuMont)

This is a filmed episode of Jon Gnagy's 'Learn To Draw' program. It was labeled as #10 on the reel, and is a rough cut of the various segments making up the program. I'm having trouble putting a year on it, as I don't know when Gnagy did a filmed series vs. doing them as live programs. The date edge code on the film would put this as 1951. Any help is appreciated! (Calling ‪@fromthesidelines‬ Barry Grauman!)

[@draff1662]

I watched Jon Gnagy on WABD-TV Channel 5 New York (later WNEW-TV, WNYW) then the Du Mont station. I had a “Jon Gnagy Learn To Draw" kit sold by Art Brown artist supplies (his sponsor) and other stores. I learned to draw watching Gnagy when I was a kid. He preceded Bob Ross by two decades. I have fond memories thanks for uploading this.

[@Juliaflo]

You remember when Channel 5 was the Du Mont station, too? I guess you are older than I am--I remember Channel 5 as the Du Mont station myself.

[@benyaakov6453]

I remember him on WNEW WABD is before my time & I am almost 66

[@Heisrisin3]

I’m not Ardon’s, but as a child, I would watch them on TV and it gave me an interesting gave me a confidence to start drawing. Which gave me lots of pleasure all through grade school and high school.

[@Ljblossom]

I saw my grandmother draw with him in the early 50’s and then in the mid 50’s I watched him and my parents bought me his kit. He truly was my first teacher and I still do art.

[@markelms4801]

Jon is the best I loved him then and I love him now

[@BRONXGIRL10]

I watched Jon Gnagy in the 1960's. I believe he was on Channel 5 in New York. My parents were kind enough to buy me his Learn to Draw game, so I could follow along with him. Since preceded Bob Ross, he should have been a lot more popular and well-known than he was. Jon Gnagy was a great teacher!

[@j3lny425]

So did I. Wasn't it on Sunday mornings?

[@labrxx]

Finally found this, my dad used to watch it as a kid.

[@conductormtm]

Is this different from "You Are An Artist"?

[@LaptopLarry330]

“You Are The Artist” was broadcast on NBC from 1946 to 1950. I am pleasantly surprised that Dumont hired him, if only for a brief time. A brief segment of “You Are The Artist” (without audio) was recorded by Hubert Chain as part of his experimental kinescopes that he made in 1947 and 1948. That footage can be seen here on UA-cam.

[@christopherdunne7848]

…..sponsored by Gulf Oil!

[@robertdoherty2001]

Remember him well. Had a beard when it just wasn’t done; strictly for beatniks - pre-hippy era.