The Art of Robert E McGinnis

An excellent book that covers seven decades of creativity from Robert McGinnis. Look through the book and you'll soon be aware that he's an incredibly versatile artist which is probably why he's been in demand for years, he always delivers what the client wants. His paperback covers from the sixties are collected because they feature hard edge dames known as 'McGinnis women' and he painted hundreds. Plenty are shown in these pages fortunately without the bland title and sub-deck typography, the actual covers are shown much smaller.I thought the 'McGinnis women', either nude or clothed very stylised, they all look the same (with the predictable long legs) except for the faces and hair styles. His movie posters and consumer magazine illustrations reveal much about his compositions and painting technique. For example, on page ninety-seven there is a superb picture of Walter Matthau (for the movie: 'The odd couple') sitting in chair reading a paper with his legs laid out on a casual table, the chair, Matthau's clothing, a bowl of fruit and some other food on the table are rendered in what looks like a very casual brush-stroke style but as in fact very precise and deliberate, making the painting totally convincing and eye-catching. A 1968 painting from 'Good Housekeeping' has a bird's eye-view of a white house framed by a lawn and trees, a beautiful composition with added detail of an old fashioned water pump, an electricity box on a wall and rather small, a young girl sitting near a doorway. Away from the girlie art there are plenty of examples of McGinnis creativity throughout the book.The back pages have some wonderful examples of his non-commercial work including twenty showing cowboys in the old Western. I thought the book was an worthwhile overview of a very versatile artist though in common with other books about well known illustrators there is no mention about how McGinnis works. Nothing about his working environment, types of pencils, brushes, paints etc. Including this would really have made the book complete. Look at some spreads from the book at Westread Book Reviews and click on May 2020

This volume is a feast for the eyes and probably achieves one of two things, you either pack up your pens, brushes, colours, paper and other artistic impedimenta or, you become inspired and infused with the spirit of R. E. McGinnis and determine to do a hell-of-a-lot better. So far, the impedimenta are still in use 😉. Overall, I have been extremely impressed by this folio of the master's body of work. I was disturbed, however, by one glitch which caught my eye on pp 85, this is not the fact that the Merry Men look like 18th Century pirates or extras from Errol Flynn's 'The Adventures of Robin Hood'. No! The offending image is the ambusher at upper left of the picture who is holding a cup hilt rapier. Given that merry hood and his robin men were active during the period of the third crusade towards the end of the twelfth Century it is more than unlikely that anyone would have a cup hilt rapier which evolved circa 1500. Sometimes I wish I wasn't cursed with the ability to pick out such details. Regardless of this, this volume is nothing short of magnificent and a fitting tribute to the inimitable genius of Robert E. McGinnis.

Excellent show of Robert McGuinnis's talents as a artist. I have been a big fan for a long time and bought another book about his illustrations a few years ago which though good was not nearly as thorough as this one. I am drawn to the Noir illustrations for books covers like Hardcase Crime and have actually purchased books just because of the cover with their dangerous femme fatales draped under the titles (never been disappointed by their stories either). Same goes for the James Bond posters which I am also of a big fan. Plus there is lots more illustrations for adverts, straight forward paintings, etc.

I came to this via 'Lifestyle Illustrations of the 1950s' and how glad I am that I did! This is simply an outstanding publication crammed with the most gorgeous illustrations by the prodigiously talented McGinnis. Every page is a winner, showcasing the artist's undeniable technical expertise. Although he is primarily an illustrator (often of pulp fiction), it is interesting to see the influences in his work - Klimt, Vuillard, Wyeth, Degas, Rockwell etc.... It is wonderful to see a commercial artist who understands and draws on his artistic heritage so effectively. If you love pulp, 60s spy fiction and beautiful women, you are in for a treat. If you just appreciate looking at the work of a master illustrator, then this is the best £15 you are likely to spend!

Very well designed book that showcases the work of the great illustrator Robert McGinnis.This large formatted book covers many different illustrative works of the artist -film posters, magazine and editorial illustration and the iconic paperback covers.Most of this features his classic style of long legged beautiful females.The section relating to his work on the Wild West is stunning ,especially the landscape of the west which is an integral part of the action depicted.An outstanding book which is copiously illustrated and at an affordable price.A must have for any illustrator or a lover of great art.

This is very classy art in an amazing cover! I think there should be posters of every page!! Love great art, glad I stumbled on this book.I hope Mr Robert E Mcginnis is reading this review.I saw another book with the same cover, 'Crime and seduction' is this the exact same book with a different title? If it is a totally different book then I'd buy it!

By producing paintings for movies such as Breakfast at Tiffany's, James Bond, Barbarella, Robert E. McGinnis enjoyed international fame as a master illustrator. Book covers for Lawrence Block, John D.MacDonald, Erle Stanley Gardner, Stephen King, and many more established him as a legendary cover artist, while magazine work & stunning gallery paintings cemented his place among the great American Painters.Enjoy the King of paperback cover art.