Emira art is back...

eclat2emira · Sunday at 12:11 PM

Hi, I was on the forum non-stop a few years ago, then less frequently since I collected my car in April 2024 - it has been almost faultless.

I'll post links to my previous painting threads, based on Emira configurator images, for convenience. This thread is dedicated to a recently completed painting commissioned by Pete Briggs (@hethelyellow131 on Instagram), owner of the fabulous Hethel Yellow Emira you see here. I met Pete when I was at the Classic Team Lotus Garden Party in July '25 unveiling another commission, this one for clive Chapman. Pete is such an enthiusiast and great guy he insisted on washing the wheels and sills on my Emira which had been spotless until I hit some of Norfolk's more "agricultural" lanes on my way to the event! We hit it off and became firm friends.

Pete had a series of great tracking photos taken by an excellent photographer - I'll add a credit shortly. We chose this one and then things developed from there. I'll post the progress shots in 4 or 5 batches.

KCDarkV · Sunday at 12:13 PM

That's incredible, thanks for sharing!

eclat2emira · Sunday at 12:16 PM

After the drawing stage, colours for blocking in are mixed and painting begins, background first. This background had some particular challenges including gorgeous clouds and dramatic speed-streaks on the tarmac and hedgerow - lots of experimenting and layering needed to get the result you'll see at the end. As with all my works, the medium is acylic on canvas.

eclat2emira · Sunday at 12:19 PM

Some more layers to the clouds, then more road detailing (which I intially overdid and reined in later) then some fun starting the blurred hedgerow and finally the greenery receding into the background.

eclat2emira · Sunday at 12:21 PM

KCDarkV said:
That's incredible, thanks for sharing!

You're welcome, hope you enjoy! P.S. My own Emira is DV too.

eclat2emira · Sunday at 12:25 PM

Then it was time to start on the Emira itself. Recreating the Hethel yellow shade I mixed for my first ever Emira painting, it was time to block in the colour. Acrlyic paint is slightly translucent/transparent, especially when in vibrant shades, so the yellow you see appearing here is effectively an undercoat - a base for me to work on top of when it comes to creating the dozens of different shades of yellow and orange that make up the final image.

eclat2emira · Sunday at 12:32 PM

It starts to get really fun when the bodwork and other detail start to pop off the canvas. The left front intake just worked from the get-go.

My old signwriting skills came in handy with the number plate, which was still looking a little "flat" until I added the subtle highlights where the light catches the edges.

You can see the stages below of creating the wheels - tricker to make convincing when moving rather than static. Blocking in of colour for the cabin was next.

eclat2emira · Sunday at 12:38 PM

Next it was time to add Pete, using a separate image we created together. More depth was added to the clouds, the foliage in the far right completed and, fittingly, the last task was to paint the bonnet badge. Full finished image in next post.

eclat2emira · Sunday at 12:52 PM

...et voila.

In 2026 I'll be creating a fundraising calendar for Sir Jackie Stewart's charity, Race Against Dementia, his wife lady Helen Stewart having been diagnosed some years ago.

All proceeds after costs will go to the charity. The calendar will feature 6 automotive paintings created by my father in 1955 when he was 19 and intending to make a calendar. I will paint 6 cars to add to these, 5 of them chosen by true legends from the worlds of motorsport and automotive.

I'll share some info here as things develop if that is okay. The 12 cars will be a mix of road and track and span 1950s through to present day, or close to it. At least one will be a Lotus! The calendar will be promoted through high-end global car magazines. My Mum has been in a home with Dementia coming up for 4 years now and my Dad passed 3 years ago, almost to the day. He would be chuffed to bits to see his works featured in the calendar and even more pleased that money is being raised to help improve how we can combat Dementia.