PEARL
Bespoke Vespa GS Custom Paint Project
Pearl is a bespoke Vespa GS created for Paul Le Brocq from Jersey, with one simple brief — to build an all-out Mod scooter with paintwork that was loud enough to make an impact, but still elegant and classy.
Working from a selection of reference images Paul supplied, DDK Airbrushing developed an entirely original design around the classic lines of the Vespa GS.
The paintwork began with a deep black base and House of Kolor silver metal flake, before introducing intricate paisley-pattern inlays, hand-painted gold pinstriping and detailed scrollwork. Real sheets of abalone shell mother of pearl were then carefully incorporated into the design, creating striking highlights against the jet-black paintwork.
The side panels were chrome plated, presenting the additional challenge of creating and applying the custom paintwork directly over the chrome while retaining areas of the polished finish as part of the overall design.
Pearl made an immediate impression on its first major showing in Brighton, winning Best in Show, and has continued to collect trophies at shows ever since. The scooter was also selected for a full feature and front cover of Scootering Magazine.
The name Pearl came directly from one of the most distinctive elements of the paintwork — the genuine abalone mother of pearl inlaid into the design.
To complement the natural colours in the abalone, I experimented with several colour-shifting pearls before settling on House of Kolor Tequila Sunrise for the paisley pattern. As the light moves across the paint, the pearl flips from lilac and purple through to a light green, working beautifully alongside the changing colours of the genuine mother of pearl.
Against the jet-black base, silver metal flake and exposed chrome, the effect gave Pearl exactly the balance Paul had asked for — bold and unmistakably Mod, but still refined and classy.
Fine gold pinstriping and scrollwork were then used throughout the design to frame the different finishes and bring the entire scooter together.
Project Pearl
Vehicle Vespa GS
ArtworkHand Airbrushed
Finish Silver metal flake, colour shift pearl, mother of pearl
Techniques Airbrush, masking & spraying
Artist Dave Dickinson
Established. 1997
Every commission is individually designed and hand painted.
If you have a motorcycle, scooter or helmet you'd like transformed, get in touch to discuss your ideas.
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