When the first three letters of your name spell out the word “car” it is probably fortuitous that you turn out to be one of the most impressive automotive artists of a generation. Danish artist Carsten Christiansen is that person, and his ink drawn depictions of some of the classic sports cars of the last century are quite simply world class. There is a special place in his heart for the Bugatti – which any lover of classic cars will tell you means he knows his stuff. Of course, it doesn’t take an artistic mind to know that Bugattis are incredible cars – but to depict them the way Christiansen does shows an incredible eye for detail and a creative mind.

Unlike many of the modern day car artists, Carsten has never actually been to art school or even studied art at all. Rather, he witnessed his grandfather – a car fanatic himself with a skill for drawing – working in the medium of pen drawings and picked up everything he knows from him. Perhaps that influence was also what gave him his appreciation of the early-era Bugatti. Like anyone, he recognizes the brilliance of the modern day Veyron, but he prefers to depict the cars he likes the most.

Although he chooses to draw the cars that have a place in his heart, Carsten Christiansen also takes on private commissions to draw the cars that his customers love or own. If he can look at the actual car it helps – but a talent such as his makes allowances and he can draw from photos to give a classic and unique take on the medium.