Tragic Math Geek for ai5000

Paul Wilmott - Quantitative Cassandra

I had to look up the title's meaning, after Art Director SooJin Buzelli assigned me to draw Paul Wimott's portrait for the Winter edition of ai5000.

I know quantitative means numbers, something measurable, and that Cassandra was a character from ancient Greece, but that was about it.

Cassandra was Helen of Troy's sister. During an overnight ritual in Apollo's temple, Cassandra was found covered in snakes, which had licked her ears so clean she could hear the future. The god's had given her the gift of prophesy. Apollo wanted Cassandra, but she turned him down. Totally pissed, Apollo cursed her. No one would ever again believe what Cassandra said even though she knew exactly what would happen in the future. Tragic.

So, I figured out the title and drew a few sketches. I'm drawing a super smart math geek who figured out the world's financial system's were going to collapse, and no one believed him.

Johnny Cash - Print for Sale

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Johnny Cash Print

Archival prints are now available for purchase. This illustration by Graham Smith was originally commissioned by Paste Magazine. Each print individually signed and titled by the artist.

$65

Size: Print size is 12" x 16". A half inch border surrounds the top and sides with a 2.25 inches border on the bottom, for a finished cut size of 13" x 19".


Paper: Printed on Moab Somerset Enhanced Textured, 100% cotton paper, 225 gsm, acid free, premium archival fine art paper. This paper has a rough texture, like cold pressed watercolor paper.


Ink: Engineered to provide optimum photographic output, these archival pigment inks provide superior resistance to water, fading and smudging. Their wide color gamut allows for true, deep color prints. Matte finish.


Shipping: Prints are rolled gently into tubes and mailed via USPS.


Price: $65 includes shipping within continental US.


Payment: Credit Cards are accepted through PayPal.


Original Post: Johnny Cash




E-mail me for questions.

Pearl Jam: Prints for Sale

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Pearl Jam Backspacer Print

$65

Archival prints are now available for purchase. This illustration by Graham Smith was commissioned by Rolling Stone Magazine for their Review of the Backspacer album, in October, 2009. Each print individually signed and titled by the artist.


Size: Print size is 10.5" x 18". A half inch border surrounds all sides, for a finished cut size of 11.5" x 19".


Paper: Printed on Moab Somerset Enhanced Textured, 100% cotton paper, 225 gsm, acid free, premium archival fine art paper. This paper has a rough texture, like cold pressed watercolor paper.


Ink: Engineered to provide optimum photographic output, these archival pigment inks provide superior resistance to water, fading and smudging. Their wide color gamut allows for true, deep color prints. Matte finish.


Shipping: Prints are rolled gently into tubes and mailed via USPS.


Price: $65 includes shipping within continental US.


Payment: Credit Cards are accepted through PayPal.


Original Post: Pearl Jam


E-mail me for questions.

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

Sketchbook Jam

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Justin Froese, Tyler Olsen, Cord Williams by Graham Smith

Friday Night Sketchbook Jam at Studio Second Street in Encinitas. A band full of young kids played, while a roomful of artists drew in their sketchbooks. The crowd overflowed into the courtyard with eager listeners. A great time was had by all.

The kids took turns playing songs together and debuting their solo performances - one set of artists inspiring another. A wonderful night indeed. You can listen to Justin Froese's music, here.

Ballpoint pen on Moleskine 5" x 8".

Justin Froese, Brian Nemerow, Mike Rudolph (keys) by Graham Smith

Justin Froese, Tyler Olsen (drums), Brian Nemerow

Mike Rudolph

Pearl Jam for Rolling Stone

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Pearl Jam "Backspacer" illustration by Graham Smith - for Rolling Stone magazine.

I love drawing rock stars, so when Steven Charny, Art Director at Rolling Stone asked me to illustrate Pearl Jam's fierce new Backspacer album for their Review, I was in pen and ink heaven.

"I want you to illustrate all 5 band members in a high energy performance, with Vedder highlighted, in front and largest..... oh, and can I have some sketches tomorrow?

I began drawing as fast as I could, submitting several sketches the following day, and over Labor Day weekend, I illustrated this super grungy tribute to Pearl Jam.

Below is Rolling Stone magazine with my illustration as printed, and a number of pen and ink studies on my desk. Since working in pen and ink is so unforgiving, I usually end up drawing a few versions to figure out the best solution for the final artwork.

I drew the sketch at double the print size, to work out details like how the fingers hold their guitars. I inked the final illustration at 150% of final print size using Pelkian ink, a #8 round brush, and a 513ef nib on Strathmore 50lb paper.

Details: Pearl Jam Backspacer illustration by Graham Smith

High Resolution Archival Prints, signed by illustrator Graham Smith, are available for sale now, size 13 x 19 inches, the illustration looks absolutely amazing printed on MOAB Somerset enhanced textured 100% cotton paper.

$65 includes shipping within continental USA. Shipped in tubes via USPS. Signed by the artist.

Thanks, Graham Smith



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Sketchy weekend

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Friday night, I drove up to Studio Second Street, in Encinitas, for the monthly Sketchbook Jam - hosted by artistic superstars, Vanessa and Ron Lemen. Participants take turns on the modeling stand, while everyone else eats cookies, draws in their sketchbook and listens to wonderful music.

The studio was packed. Vanessa handed me a folding chair and I squeezed in between artists, ball point pen in hand, Moleskine 5 x 8.

If you visit the Studio Second Street Blog, you can see an over the shoulder photo of me, drawing Ron Lemen on the eve of his birthday, taken by his lovely and talented wife, Vanessa.

Paste Magazine Scottish Rappers

Paste Magazine illustration by Graham Smith, for an article about two young rappers from Dundee, Scotland who tricked a major record label into financing a lavish lifestyle, while pretending to be American kids from Los Angeles.

Cecila - Drawing Workshop at Art Institute

Cecilia. 3 minute poses by Graham Smith. Drawn at the new Wednesday Night Life Drawing Workshop at Art Institute of San Diego. 18 x 24. Graphite stick.

If you're in San Diego and wish to attend, here is the Meetup Group.

Forbidden Man of Steel Print

Man of Steel (Condom) by Graham Smith. ink and digital. 8" x 8"

Early in his career, times were hard. Superman's agent suggested doing some advertising work for a few overseas firms. This product was approved, even though no one knew what the product actually was. Once discovered, the advertisement was yanked, leaving this as the only remaining copy. (Apologies to Joe Shuster)

This print will be on display and available for sale at Subtext.

Meanwhile… at the Hall of Justice A Collection of Superhero Mishaps
San Diego Comic Con Weekend: July 24th-26th, 2009
Opening Reception: Friday, July 24th, 6-10pm

Let’s face it, everyone has a bad day. Even superheroes. And this July, Subtext will host a group exhibition that captures those mishaps for all to see. Did you know that the Hulk has been arrested for wreckless endangerment? Aquaman did some time for fishing in international waters without permits, and the Wonder Twins were still awaiting trial for public indecency. It just reminds us that even though they are super, they are still human (some of them anyways). Join us during Comic Con weekend at Subtext, and see for yourself what infractions your favorite heroes have been hiding under their capes.

2479 KETTNER BLVD. SAN DIEGO, CA 92101
PHONE 619 546 8800
SUBTEXTGALLERY.COM

Translation: Man of Steel Condom. Stronger than a Burmese Python. Full Power 24 Hour. Made in Japan. Japanese translations: by Rima Fujita.

Prints: Limited edition, signed and numbered, 8" x 8" hi resolution Epson inkjet, using Durabrite Ultra fade resistant ink, on Moab Somerset Enhanced Textured 255 gsm paper, 100% cotton, acid free with the texture of watercolor paper.

Framed piece 1/40: 12" x 12" black wood frame, white mat acid free, museum glass 98% UV protected, non-glare coated inside, scratch resistant outside.

Loft Life goes National

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Graham Smith illustrates the masthead and the Panel of Expert's for Loft Life Magazine, which is going to be on national newsstands all over the country in Borders, Barnes and Noble, as well as Hudson News starting this month. Pick up your copies folks!

With every issue I draw a few more people. This month Paul Koeleman, Marcel Schreuder and Jon Strassner were added to the list. Miguel Calvo was from last month.

Loft Life Premiere Issue