Philip Reisman

Illustrator Philip Reisman is Frank Kleinholz's guest on this edition of Art in New York. They begin with Reisman's start in the Brooklyn public schools. He says his primary impetus was his great love of art. All other obstacles to his artwork became unimportant. He was willing to drive a cab, ran errands, worked a soda jerk, and in commercial art. Reisman also studied at the Art Students League with Wallace Morgan and Bridgeman on and off for four or five years. His first book was in 1939. Anna Karenina by Tolstoy and distributed by the Book of the Month Club.

Reisman talks about prevalent ideas in commercial art as opposed to his personal philosophy. He opposes photo naturalism and decorative illustration. He has just finished illustrations for an edition of Crime and Punishment. He believes creative illustration is finally taking its place as an art form for the people and away from the collector class.

Reisman describes how he goes about illustrating a book by knowing the book thoroughly and intimately. To do a good job he believes the book must be true to life for the artist. Reisman says great illustrations need great writing. He does not use models.

WNYC archives id: 61727