From his earliest scribbles to celebrated commissions, PaulToogood’s life has been defined by one abiding obsession: capturing the elegance and engineering of the car through meticulous drawings.

One of those drawings, a one-off commission of the Aston Martin Valkyrie, takes pride of place on the wall behind the bar in the Racing Green office. A statement piece, it stops visitors in their tracks. When they learn it has been drawn entirely in pencil, even the shimmering reflections that dance across the Valkyrie’s glass canopy, they are even more impressed.

Hooked on the detail of design

Toogood’s passion for art ignited early. Long before the age of 16, he found solace in pen and paper – but it was at 15 when he won second prize in a national painting competition hosted by the Daily Telegraph and Ford, celebrating Ford’s victory in the London-to-Mexico World Cup rally. His subject? The now-iconic Ford Escort. Even then, he demonstrated an affinity for automotive themes – a fitting start for an artist who would carve a niche in motoring illustration.

From that moment on, Paul remained spellbound by the mechanical complexity and aesthetic precision of motor engineering. He was particularly fascinated by cutaway illustrations of Formula One engines and chassis – images that conveyed both artistry and technical mastery and helped shape his own visual vocabulary. Influences include Giorgio Piola, the Italian journalist-artist who has been documenting F1 cars since attending the 1969 Monaco Grand Prix.

A hobby rekindled

For years, Paul’s artistic endeavours remained a personal pursuit – until the COVID-19 pandemic. With newfound free time and encouragement from his patient wife, he returned wholeheartedly to drawing. What had once been a hobby gradually blossomed into a full-time vocation. His rediscovered passion propelled his emergence as a commissioned artist, transforming personal sketches into private commissions for motoring enthusiasts.

“It has been fantastic to rekindle that passion for drawing that I have always had,” Toogood tells Racing Green. “But it hasn’t been easy. I have been refining and further refining my technique, finding my sweet spot where I bring something different and unique to clients while personally enjoying the creative process.”

Working predominantly in pencil or pen and ink, Paul’s style marries intricate linework with atmospheric shading – emphasising not just form but mechanistic finesse. Rather than offering stylised or abstract interpretations, his pieces honour each vehicle’s design integrity and engineering heritage.

Whether commissioned to render a treasured classic, a modern supercar, or a beloved childhood hero, Paul's work serves as both portrait and tribute – immersing viewers in the emotional and mechanical beauty of automobiles or the people behind them. A portrait of Ayrton Senna captures the thoughtful, spiritual side of the three-time Formula One World Champion, but Toogood – ever the perfectionist – isn’t happy with the frame and wants to have it remounted before displaying the work.

Mastering commissioned art

Toogood’s talents have attracted notable clients. Richard Hammond, better known as one third of the Top Gear and Grand Tour trio, commissioned works capturing his automotive passions, including the Ford Escort RS2000 that was the first car to be fully restored by The Smallest Cog, the workshop that Hammond established in 2021.

He was also asked by Robert Escalante, President of the PackardInternational Motor Club, to create a piece that honoured classic American engineering. And more recently, Chubb, the insurance partner for the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court, commissioned four bespoke artworks of its clients’ collector cars. Toogood was also present at the concours event, drawing in real time over the three-day show, with visitors able to see his work develop throughout the event.

Toogood’s craftsmanship has not gone unnoticed by the artistic community. He has been accepted into the Guild of Motoring Artists, an organisation celebrating excellence in automotive art. Membership reflects his mastery of both aesthetic expression and technical accuracy.

Today his bespoke, one-off commissions can take up to 100 hours to complete, a fact that can be reflected in their value, with the Valkyrie portrait available for approximately £1500. “I was recently asked about some bespoke commissions for an automotive company at the Secret Meet,” Toogood says, “and they were actually pleasantly surprised that a one-off piece wasn’t significantly more costly, given the time that goes into it, and the fact you won’t find another anywhere else.”

Legacy in the making

From a young artist who once celebrated his ten-favourite car-maker's rally victory through paintbrush to a seasoned illustrator commissioned by companies and private individuals alike, Paul Toogood’s journey is a testament to passion reignited and talent fully realised.

In every stroke, he captures not just metal and gears – but memories, stories, and the timeless allure of motion. His work bridges the worlds of art and engineering – inviting aficionados to pause, admire, and remember why they fell in love with cars in the first place.

‍More info: paultoogood.art