About Pippa

Pippa Elton. horse, dog and pet portrait artist

Meet Pippa

A Portrait Artist with a Lifetime of Expertise

Pippa Elton lives and works in Bramley, South Yorkshire and is an established portrait artist, specialising in equestrian, dog and pet portraits.

With 35 years of experience, she is known for her exquisite, lifelike paintings that capture the true essence of her subjects. Her work is sought after by private collectors and institutions across the UK and worldwide, with portraits gracing homes around the world including Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, America, and Canada.

Her experience extends beyond portraiture—she is also a professional art tutor of over 20 years, delivering classes in the studio of the Horse & Hound Gallery in Bramley. She also provides classes, workshops and demonstrations for private groups, local authority setting, schools and residential homes.

Respected for her meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of her subjects, Pippa’s portraits are more than just paintings—they are heirloom pieces designed to be cherished for a lifetime. If you are considering commissioning a portrait, you couldn’t be in safer hands.

About Pippa and Horse & Hound Gallery

Horse & Hound Gallery is both the working studio and exhibition space of portrait artist Pippa Elton. Located in Bramley, South Yorkshire, it showcases a carefully curated selection of her work, including exquisite horse and dog portraits, alongside captivating landscapes.

More than just a gallery, it is a creative hub where Pippa teaches a range of art classes, providing expert guidance in a relaxed and friendly environments for beginners looking to build confidence, to experienced artists refining their techniques.

Whether you’re visiting to admire the artwork, commission a bespoke portrait, or take part in a class, Horse & Hound Gallery offers an inspiring and welcoming space for art lovers.

Pippa is a professional artist working in the Lincolnshire and Yorkshire areas since 1997 specialising in dog portraits, horse portraits and other portraiture. She now paints artwork for clients all around the world as well as within the UK. Her portraits are commissioned by institutions including private schools and hunts as well as private clients. Her portraits hang in private collections throughout the UK, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, America and Canada. 

​As a qualified tutor her services include teaching private and local authority art classes, demonstrations to art groups and leading workshops in schools and residential homes.

She worked as a freelance stonemason’s artist for a Monumental Mason in Lincolnshire for 18 years until moving to South Yorkshire in 2015. This involved the design and etching of unique, personal artwork for headstones and memorials.

​Her work has been exhibited in galleries and exhibitions in Boston, Horncastle and Rotherham and she is a member of Lincolnshire Professional Artists and ROAR (Rotherham Art Renaissance).

​While living in Horncastle Lincolnshire, Pippa also painted the set and backdrops for The Red Lion Theatre. This included a variety of pantomimes, musicals and plays.

​In 2014 and 2016 Pippa went on air to discuss portraits for two radio stations, BBC Radio Lincolnshire and Radio Sheffield. The former, a half hour interview in the studio and the latter as part of an on air discussion regarding pet bereavement and memorials.

I’d known my career would be art based while I was still in primary school. Painting in watercolour I would spend hours experimenting and practicing at home to perfect wet-in-wet cloud effects. This was later followed by a life size owl in flight on my bedroom wall in oils and then a life size herd of impala on another wall! I sold my first artwork when I was 15 and at 20 was producing small oil paintings that were sold by a man with a market stall in Warrington, near where I lived. They were sometimes still wet when I delivered them but he said they were the most popular!

While raising my older children during the early 90’s I painted portraits for local clients and sold other artwork including landscapes through gift shops.

I’m not exaggerating to say that money was short and the income from sold paintings meant we didn’t have to live on beans for the week!

I started out painting commissions of all kinds including formal portraits of children and family groups and some unusual ones – a racing motorbike and stock car rally winners! But over the last 20 years my focus shifted to dog and horse portraits and as my reputation grew, they became my specialty.

I’m now known and respected for my life-like and highly detailed paintings and drawings of dogs and horses. If you’re thinking of commissioning a portrait please get in touch and I look forward to hearing from you.

Inspiration

I have two favourite Artists.

​Sir Peter Blake – I love his achingly beautiful, ethereal Alice in Wonderland illustrations and Fairy portraits, Album covers, Collages and Collections. 

Norman Rockwell – His illustrations for The Saturday Evening Post are truly wonderful, sometimes whimsical sometimes subtle storytelling. Beautifully detailed yet painted with such an expressive and light hand.

Favourite Quote

“You make it look so easy!”

– ​”I haven’t slept for five days!”

​Anonymous  Artist

Fun Facts

I always listen to music while I’m painting: Radio 2 or jazz, folk, rock and blues and drink gallons of tea.. which has always gone cold by the time I put my paintbrush down for a break.

​When I’ve been concentrating on a painting for a few hours I find it helpful to get on my exercise bike or cross trainer to get a burst of energy before carrying on again.

​Because I work on each portrait for many hours, studying the reference photos deeply I often get a feeling for the character of my subject and have conversations with them in my head. When this happens I’m always sorry when the finished portrait leaves my studio. But knowing the painting will give years of pleasure and is being appreciated is a truly wonderful feeling.

University of Lincoln

2005 – Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Graphic Design and Illustration

City & Guilds

2003 –  NVQ 3 – Delivery of Learning

Lincolnshire Professional Artists

2009 – Present

ROAR (Rotherham Art Renaissance)

2015 – Present

Tutor in Adult Education

2003 – Present

I’ve enjoyed teaching a variety of art classes, for Local Authority, colleges, Education Centres, private art groups and individuals around the Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire regions.

I’ve also presented demonstrations to large and small art groups around the Lincolnshire area as well as leading workshops in schools and Residential Homes

.I’m currently teaching a range of classes at the studio here at Horse & Hound Gallery

Stonemason’s Artist

1998 – 2015

This rewarding work involved designing and producing unique and specific images for headstones and memorials. The artwork was created by carefully sandblasting by hand and then adding detail with a diamond tipped etching tool. The finished artwork was sometimes painted and varnished or ‘silvered’.

Graphic Design and Print

2000 – 2005

During this time I worked in two busy digital departments. My roles included photo restoration and digital imaging, graphic design, printing and lamination of large format graphics and banners and other short run design, editing and printing.

Useful Resources

FAQs

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Contact Form

The easiest way to get in touch about your dog’s portrait or to send me your reference photos is to use the contact form below.

You can use the contact form for:

  • General enquiries
  • Starting an order
  • Sending reference photos
  • Booking demonstrations and workshops
  • Checking availability of classes
  • Leaving feedback

What Happens Next?

Personal Response

Once you’ve submitted your contact form, I’ll personally review your enquiry and respond as soon as possible. Whether you have a question or are ready to commission your portrait, I’m here to help.

Portrait of a labrador dog being painted in pastels by UK pet portrait artist Pippa Elton

From Photo to Painting

I’ll assist you in choosing the perfect photo, composition, and portrait details. We’ll finalise the size, medium, and any specific requests. Once everything is agreed, your portrait will be scheduled.

Payment & Delivery

When your artwork is complete you’ll be offered secure ways to pay online and your portrait will be securely packaged and delivered to you with free tracked, insured shipping.

Head and neck portrait of a chestnut horse and landscape by UK pet portrait artist Pippa Elton

Horse Portraits

Discover My Horse Portraits Today

A bespoke portrait is a beautiful way to honour the horse who bring so much joy to your life. My dedicated horse portrait website hosts a wealth of information about my artwork, how to commission a portrait and an extensive portrait gallery.

  • Explore my Horse Portrait Gallery – Browse a selection of beautifully hand-painted horse portraits
  • Inspiration for Your Commission – View different compositions to help you choose your perfect portrait
  • Help and Advice – Tips to help you choose the best reference photo, medium and size for your portrait
  • Easy Commissioning Process – Simple, stress-free ordering with free tracked, insured delivery
Visit horse-portraits.com

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