Bespoke Illustrated Map Gift Featuring Iconic UK Race Circuits
Earlier this year, I was approached by a private client looking for an unusual, personal gift for her father’s 70th birthday. The brief? To create a bespoke illustrated map featuring x5 English motor racing circuits - tracks where her father has raced his car. She wanted something completely custom, personal, and beautiful enough to be framed.
The final artwork for a bespoke map of x5 English Motor Racing Circuits for the client to gift to their father on his 70th birthday. The race tracks featured include Donington Park, Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Goodwood and Castle Combe.
The Brief: A Custom Map for a Motor Racing Enthusiast
The client wanted:
A base map of England showing the geographic locations of five well-known racing circuits.
Aerial-view illustrations of each track, including key buildings and landmarks.
A hand-drawn portrait of her father’s race car.
A finished piece that was personal, detailed, and completely one-of-a-kind.
Creative Process: From Research to Roughs
Since I wasn’t familiar with motor racing (at all!) this commission really pushed me creatively. I relied on:
Google Maps and Google Earth for the geographic and structural layout.
Photographic research from official websites, race archives, and aerial shots.
Close reference images for the car and each track’s specific character.
Once I had done some research, I sent the client a project proposal that included my Illustrator Commissioning Agreement, where I outline the project, deliverables, timeline, and fee, as I find that transparency and clarity up front are key to a smooth process.
Initial roughs
For the first creative stage, I then sent some ‘roughs’ so that I could check that the client was happy with the approach, layout, etc. I included a lightly coloured ink-and-watercolour base map showing the shape of England from South Yorkshire to the south coast. I then used placeholder images for 4 out of the 5 circuits, but fully illustrated the Brands Hatch circuit and the client’s father’s race car to demonstrate my style.
Bright ideas!
As I was working on the roughs, it occurred to me that it might look nice to incorporate hand-drawn versions of the race circuit logos, rather than simply hand-writing name labels. I included the Brands Hatch logo in ink and watercolour as a stylistic suggestion with the roughs and the client loved it, so we incorporated this idea into the final piece.
Final Artwork: Ink, Watercolour, and Digital Assembly
Each element - tracks, logos, and car - was hand-drawn in ink and painted with watercolour. I then scanned and digitally assembled everything to fine-tune composition, spacing, and scale.
The final map included:
An outline of southern England, from South Yorkshire to the Isle of Wight, as a background.
x5 individually illustrated racing circuits, each painted in a limited yet realistic colour palette.
Hand-drawn circuit logos beside each track.
The client's father's race car, placed at the top right.
A personal handwritten dedication and my signature at the bottom.
I printed the artwork using a sustainable fine art printer based here in Northumberland, onto eco-friendly Hahnemühle Bamboo paper. As a small surprise, I also created a limited run of postcards featuring the race car illustration.
The final piece back from the printers, along with one of the postcards I had printed as a little extra.
Client Feedback
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I commissioned Ali to do a drawing for my Dad’s 70th birthday of the circuits he races his car at. She did a brilliant job at depicting all five tracks and included a great drawing of his car too.
Ali was really helpful all the way through, completely understood the brief, was so quick to respond, as well as great at communicating and sending me sample drawings. I love the finished product and I am sure my dad will too!"
What I Learned
This project pushed my technical drawing skills and taught me a lot about working from multiple sources. Although I don’t have a background in motorsports, I loved the challenge of turning niche subject matter into a visually rich, personal piece of art.
Interested in a Custom Illustrated Map?
If you’re looking for a bespoke illustrated map, whether for a gift, editorial, or publication, I’d love to hear from you! I work with private clients, art directors, and publishers to create one-of-a-kind pieces that are thoughtful, handcrafted, and story-driven.