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.