Motoring art: Jesús Prudencio

| 23 Jul 2025
Classic & Sports Car – Motoring art: Jesús Prudencio

From pre-war Indy racers to cartoon automobiles, cars have featured on some of the most famous movie posters, but few have drawn more than illustrator Jesús Prudencio.

As well as the iconic four-wheeled stars of 007 and Back to the Future, this Spanish movie fan has created a fantastic range for his popular Cars And Films poster series.

From the pink Piaggio three-wheeler featured in The Grand Budapest Hotel to the stylish Aston Martin DB2/4 dhc driven by Tippi Hedren in The Birds, the collection now numbers more than 150 designs.

Classic & Sports Car – Motoring art: Jesús Prudencio

The De Lorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future (left); The Blues Brothers’ Dodge Monaco

“As a boy I loved cars, and my pedal car was a top toy,” says Jesús. “Later, I collected models and started building radio-controlled cars.”

Cinema trips were eagerly anticipated and are still a favourite whenever he has the time: “I used to go with my brothers.

“We all loved ET and Indiana Jones, but particularly Back to the Future.

“The De Lorean remains a special movie car and was one of the first I drew for Cars And Films.

“It’s tough to choose a favourite, but ultimately it would have to be the James Bond Aston Martin DB5.”

Classic & Sports Car – Motoring art: Jesús Prudencio

Who you gonna call? The Cadillac from Ghostbusters is a popular poster (left); the Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5 is one of Jesús Prudencio’s favourites

The research for a new subject is always a pleasure: “It’s great fun, and sometimes I spend several days digging out information and re-watching a movie where the chosen car features.

“The web is a fantastic research tool and I use the Internet Movie Cars Database regularly.

“I always start with a sketch that I finish off in Adobe Illustrator using my graphics tablet, which allows me to save my drawing as a vector.”

After studying fine art at the University of Seville, Jesús began a successful career as a graphic designer working for top Spanish advertising agencies.

Classic & Sports Car – Motoring art: Jesús Prudencio

Italian Job Mini (left); the bright-yellow Volkswagen camper from Little Miss Sunshine

His drawing talent was much in demand, with commissions from international titles including Monocle, GQ and Le Parisien.

Other collaborations have included working with artist Pilar Albarracín and designer Filiep Tacq.

“My interest in art began when I was a child,” he says. “I was happiest when drawing and loved visiting art galleries, particularly the Prado in Madrid.

“My family wasn’t very artistic, but my elder brother developed an interest in photography.”

Classic & Sports Car – Motoring art: Jesús Prudencio

The Ferrari 250GT California replica that starred in teen flick Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (left); the famous Ford V8 from Bonnie and Clyde

Poster artwork has long been a passion and, combined with his automotive interest, he began his personal Cars And Films project, which quickly gained a worldwide following.

The colourful designs featured in Netflix series Modern Family as stylish wall décor, and they regularly appear in the press and on movie-themed blogs.

The series has won several awards and been in various exhibitions.

Classic & Sports Car – Motoring art: Jesús Prudencio

The Citroën DS from science-fiction film Gattaca (left); Bullitt Mustang

“My dream car would be like KITT from the Knight Rider TV show,” he smiles, “I love all the gadgets.

“But my interests are very broad, from Trabant to Bugatti.

“My everyday car is a well-travelled Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2 and I have had several manufacturer commissions including the VW Group, for which I had to draw its most emblematic cars from 1950 to the present day.”

Visit Jesús Prudencio’s Etsy shop to order posters, and see carsandfilms.com or jesusprudencio.com


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