My name is Martin Miškolci, I’m an artist, a designer, born in 1996 and currently residing in Martin, Slovak Republic. I create automotive illustrations and prints for a living under my brand Petrolified.
How did you get into art?
I’ve had a pencil in my hand ever since I remember, and all I used to draw was cars. I think it just came naturally to me. Drawing and painting was always something I was passionate about, and over time it all just developed in to using digital tools instead of the traditional.
What’s the hardest part of illustrating a car from start to finish?
The resource images. I can easily spend five hours just researching the car and looking for good, high resolution images on the internet. I try to capture the cars from the same perspective, and point of view, each time so it’s never easy to make do with what’s available out there. I wish I had access to all the cars, as that would’ve made my life so much easier…
Do you have a favourite car you like to illustrate?
The 911 has such an iconic shape, that has to be one of my favourites, but if I had to pick just one it’d have to be the BMW M1. There’s something alluring and different about it’s design that wasn’t matched in it’s era.
What piece of equipment do you think is the most important, or useful, for illustration?
A powerful computer is essential when you’re working with the level of detail, and amount of Photoshop layers, that I do. Each illustration is made up of more than 1,000 layers, different shapes and then rendering these in real time puts a huge load on the computer.
Even though I don’t draw these free hand, but rather as vector shapes, having a graphic tablet is very handy too. It’s a bit more precise and comfortable when working long hours.
What car are you currently driving?
I drive a Renault Clio RS – a 2012 one, so it’s one of the last truly raw, naturally aspirated and manual hot hatches. I love it to bits, despite the lack of comfort and finesse as a daily driver.
If money was no object, what would be your perfect car (or cars)?
This is the tough question all of us car fans face. I honestly don’t know. I have a soft spot for all 911s, be it the early ones, or the new 991s. In a perfect world, I would go for the 911R, or perhaps a Singer 911.
I’m very close to Japanese cars too – a Skyline is something I dream about, 240Z Datsuns too, or the mighty LFA. All are unique in their own way and ever so special.
Too many great cars to choose from and I’d love to have them all!
This interview was originally written by Tim Ridd-Jolly .
