Fall into Tad Orlowski’s Lush Paintings of Classic Cars

With an eye for incredible composition across photography, fine art—and even advertising design concepts—Tad Orlowski’s library of automotive projects is both extensive and compelling.

Orlowski has had a lot of time to consider a car’s form, having worked as a designer at both McLaren Automotive and Bertone. Painting only started a few years ago as an activity to relax with, too. For now, he’s working on a certain style—a car’s “face”.

“I have decided to focus on car’s faces, and eventually build the whole collection out of it,” Orlowski writes. “I wanted to keep a consistent form from all of the paintings together—different cars, but the same approach.”

It’s a series of front views that feature iconic cars like the Porsche 911, 917, and 904; the Jaguar E-Type; and the Ferrari 250 GTE, among others. To our eyes, the depictions are mesmerising because they’re both detailed and a bit imprecise—and from the front, can you tell if the car is moving or stationary?

“Sometimes, I pick my favourite models and I know I have to have them painted. Sometimes, a certain vehicle just hits me over the head like a bombshell and I know it’s worth of painting,” Orlowski says. “It’s kind of never-ending project. It doesn’t have schedule. I’m not a painter or an artist—just a car afficionado.”

You can see his work on his website, www.tad-orlowski.com, and “Like” his Facebook page.