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Before a Bentley becomes an object of desire, it begins as something far simpler: a sketch. Long before the leather is stitched, the veneers are polished, or the iconic Flying B takes its place above the grille, every Bentley starts with a single line on paper. At the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the British marque chose to celebrate that often-overlooked moment by placing art—not horsepower—at the heart of its showcase.
For five days, acclaimed automotive illustrator Stefan Marjoram transformed Bentley’s pavilion into a working artist’s studio, creating live illustrations that invited visitors to witness the earliest stage of automotive creation. Rather than unveiling another limited-edition grand tourer, Bentley offered something far rarer: a window into the imagination behind luxury design.
It was a subtle reminder that while engineering may perfect an automobile, artistry gives it its soul.
Where Design Becomes Emotion
Watching Marjoram work is less about drawing a car and more about capturing its character.
Every confident stroke, every carefully placed shadow, and every measured proportion gradually transforms a technical object into something deeply emotional. His illustrations reveal what cameras often miss—the personality that exists beneath polished paintwork and sculpted metal.
Throughout Goodwood, Marjoram moved effortlessly between Bentley’s modern masterpieces and its century-old icons, discovering that despite decades of technological evolution, every Bentley shares an unmistakable visual identity.
“They all have the same presence, the same confidence, the same stance,” he observed while sketching the collection.
It is that timeless presence—not simply speed or luxury—that has defined Bentley for more than a century.
Two Eras, Two Artistic Languages
Rather than applying a single style to every vehicle, Marjoram allowed each era to dictate its own visual language.
Bentley’s contemporary models demanded bold, graphic illustrations inspired by the dramatic automotive renderings of the 1950s. Strong reflections, exaggerated proportions and dynamic linework echoed the confidence of today’s Flying Spur and Continental GT.
The historic Bentleys, however, invited a softer approach.
Working with techniques reminiscent of classical red-chalk studies, Marjoram used delicate highlights and textured shading to evoke the warmth, craftsmanship and romance of Bentley’s earliest creations.
The contrast perfectly mirrored Bentley itself—a brand equally comfortable honouring its heritage while embracing the future.
Luxury Begins Long Before the Factory
In an age dominated by digital design software and virtual modelling, Marjoram’s work reminds us that creativity still begins with observation.
Using an iPad that allowed visitors to replay every stage of each illustration, he demonstrated that even the most sophisticated drawing starts with simple construction lines, careful measurements and patient refinement.
There is something profoundly reassuring about that.
Behind every handcrafted Bentley lies not only cutting-edge engineering, but also the timeless disciplines of drawing, proportion and artistic instinct.
The Artist Behind the Automobiles
Marjoram’s creative journey extends well beyond automotive illustration.
Before establishing himself among the world’s most respected automotive artists, he spent a decade as Creative Director at Aardman Animations, the celebrated British studio behind Creature Comforts and numerous award-winning productions.
That background continues to shape his work today.
His Bentleys never feel static. Instead, they possess a subtle sense of movement and personality, as though each illustration captures the spirit of the car rather than merely documenting its appearance.
When Luxury Celebrates Creativity
Bentley’s decision to place an artist at the centre of its Goodwood presence speaks volumes about how the marque views luxury.
This was never about showcasing another collection of extraordinary automobiles.
It was about celebrating the creative process itself.
At a festival renowned for speed records and horsepower, Bentley quietly reminded visitors that every remarkable automobile begins not on an assembly line, but in the imagination of a designer with nothing more than a pencil, paper and an idea.
For Grandiose, that may have been one of Goodwood’s most compelling stories.
Because true luxury has never been measured solely by what we build.
It is equally defined by how beautifully we imagine it.
