Dogs Rough and Smooth

Lucy Dawson, also known as "Mac," was a preeminent British illustrator in the 1930s and 1940s revered for her paintings and etchings of dogs, from sporting and non-sporting breeds to hounds and herders. Though she worked in numerous mediums—pencil, pen, ink, and oil—her pastels set her work apart. Noted for her commercial dog postcards and her delightful "Tailwagger" series, she also created a "Puppies" series of 40 cigarette cards during World War II—produced in a limited quantity due to wartime restrictions on paper—which have become a rare collector’s item today. One of her most famous works is her portrait of "Dookie," the British Royal Family’s favorite Corgie, which was later reproduced as a Royal Family Christmas card.

Dawson also published several books, including the beloved Dogs As I See Them, and its follow-up, Dogs Rough and Smooth. Now, Dogs Rough and Smooth is available in a lovely facsimile edition for a new generation discovering her superb craftsmanship. Printed on an uncoated stock that simulates the look and feel of a sketchbook, this delightful volume is filled with her beautiful, endearing drawings of a range of breeds. The illustrations are accompanied by notes in Dawson’s own handwriting as well as a short anecdotal text that provides amusing insight into the personalities of her canine models and the experience of drawing each.

A stunning reproduction of this classic work filled with full-color and black-and-white complete drawings and sketches, Dogs Rough and Smooth features a foreword by acclaimed writer Susan Orlean, and is packaged in a three-piece case with a beautiful cloth spine and long ribbon bookmark. Dogs Rough and Smooth is sure to be a collector's item treasured by dog lovers of all ages and art connoisseurs for years to come.