50 Most Important People in Philly illustrations

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Illustrator Graham Smith, worked closely with art directors Andy Zahn and Jesse Southerland, of Philadelphia Magazine to create 18 illustrated portraits for November's 50 Most Important People in Philly feature.





Art Director's Andy Zahn and Jesse Southerland created a fantastic layout for this ambitious feature. As they explained their idea, I was surprised to learn I was not illustrating The 50 Most Important People. The assignment was to illustrate Philadelphia Magazine's predictions of who will be shaping Philadelphia in the years to come, the people who did not make the list.

The illustrations were drawn traditionally with pen and ink. I inked right over the colored pencil under drawing, and use a brush to wash in the dark areas. Nothing fancy, just straight up old school pen and ink drawings. The illustrations were all created at the same size, using cut sheets of Strathmore 400, 80 lb premium recycled drawing paper.

Vince Fumo

Richard Sprague

Arlen Spector

Ms. Ackerman

David Adleman

John Perzel

Arthur Makadon