Illustrator Alexis Marcou’s self initiated passion project titled ”Dark Horse’’, taps into the raw DNA of the Ford Mustang – specifically the Shelby era – and channels it into a visual language that feels both timeless and future-facing.
Thoroughly researched, Marcou distilled his knowledge into aesthetic choices and compositions that reflect elegance and boldness. Known for his signature blend of geometry and motion, Marcou brings a refined aggression to the project. Dominated by a bold, unapologetic red, the series feels more like a statement than a study. “Red was the anchor,” Marcou explains. “It had to carry the weight of the entire visual system – power, speed, intensity.”
The elegance comes through in the details: precise line work that slices through the compositions, and layered textures built from hand-scanned acrylic strokes. These aren’t just aesthetic choices – they ground the project in physicality, bridging analog craft with digital finesse.
What started as a passion project quickly turned into a personal deep dive into automotive iconography. Dark Horse doesn’t just celebrate the Mustang – it reframes it, stripping it down and rebuilding it through an artist’s lens. The result? A visual experience that hits as hard as the machine that inspired it.
See work in progress below.
