BMW M1 Andy Warhol 1/43

Recently completed project. My original plan was to use the custom decals made by a friend and use it on a Minichamps diecast if I couldn't source a suitable 1/43 kit. Luckily, I found a Baymo M1 kit. It is the same molding as the Sapphire Modelcraft kit and still has the Sapphire name on the base.

Early test run with a spare set of decals showed promise but the inkjet printed decals could not stand up to the handling required to get them to conform to all the contours. Touch-up painting was not an option since the patched areas would be obvious.

With all the images available now on the internet, I decided to recreate the livery as Warhol did by brush painting. I used fine art oil paints and since they remained 'soft' for weeks, afforded me the luxury of time to try to mix the colors correctly. The painting was done over two weeks and then set aside for about a month to dry. The paint was sealed by light coats of Microscale's Micro Gloss as a protectorate. You will notice no attempt was made to hide the brush marks just like the actual car.

The roll cage was replaced by thinner brass rod, an oil filler was drilled into the right 'buttress' and the rear tires were replaced by wider ones from a Provence Moulage kit. Other than that (and the livery), the build was more or less OOB.

http://hotimg23.fotki.com/a/64_46/15_233/photofile.jpg

Here is the inspiration:

http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/64_46/15_233/1.jpg

Here's the result:

http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/64_46/15_233/2.jpg

http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/64_46/15_233/4.jpg

http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/64_46/15_233/5.jpg

http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/64_46/15_233/6.jpg

http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/64_46/15_233/7.jpg

http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/64_46/15_233/8.jpg

Sorry folks, I couldn't resist putting this next pic in. I reached in before the self timer on the camera took the picture. It helps put the scale into context. :) Thank you and any questions, comments or criticisms are welcome.

http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/64_46/15_233/9.jpg

Very, very, very bravo! :thumbsup:

in this scale...amazing work

Beautiful!
It really captures the real car. :thumbsup:

I like the fact that you attempted to recreate the warhol m1 and I doubt its been done before. Personally I think it could have been executed slightly better. IMO a larger scale of at least 1/24 would have allowed much better perception and proportion of the original work and although you`v done a decent job of re-creating the artwork, the shades of colours are a fair bit out, although having said that, I do like it.

I first taught it was probably the worst painted car on this website.. until I discovered it really IS painted like this in real life! Great work...

Never has a brush painted body been so "right".
Fantastic work in this scale and great job of replicating the paint scheme

Thank you for all your comments! This project was a "labour of love" as it were. I've always thought the idea of using racing cars as canvas was a stroke of genius by Henri Poulain with his original commission of Alexander Calder for the 3.0CS racecar entered in 1976 Lemans that started the Artcar series by BMW. I'd always wanted to use the custom decals for this project but they did not work put for me and the nature of Warhol's livery allowed me to attempt hand painting. I am very happy with the results.


I like the fact that you attempted to recreate the warhol m1 and I doubt its been done before. Personally I think it could have been executed slightly better. IMO a larger scale of at least 1/24 would have allowed much better perception and proportion of the original work and although you`v done a decent job of re-creating the artwork, the shades of colours are a fair bit out, although having said that, I do like it.

Larger scale would have required a much more steady hand! 1/43 vs 1/24 vs 1/12.. I've built them all (with many still unbuilt) and must say that recently (probably due to diminishing shelf space) found that I have much more interest in 1/43rd kits. Also, particularly regarding BMW Artcars, I've manage to obtain the Lichtenstein 320 racecar, Calder CS racecar, and Stella turbo CS racecar (unbuilt) all in 1/43rd scale and this completes my personal 'top 4' Artcar collection. Maybe one day I can source the rest........

Here are the others built about 5 years ago, all Provence Moulage kits. I hope to start the Stella car sometime this year:

Roy Lichtenstein (racing numbers added after the photo was taken)
http://hotimg23.fotki.com/a/64_46/15_233/DSCN2057.jpg

Alexander Calder
http://hotimg23.fotki.com/a/64_46/15_233/DSCN3193.jpg

Frank Stella

http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/64_46/15_233/DSCN2552.jpg

I first taught it was probably the worst painted car on this website.. until I discovered it really IS painted like this in real life! Great work...

Speaking proudly, It IS the WORST painted car evet to be featured on this forum!:)