Meet the artist
I’m David Smith, the artist behind Pup Art UK. For years, I’ve worked in corporate design—work I enjoy, but there’s always been a part of me that wanted to get back to something more personal. My path back to art began with a dog, a simple decision to bring a bit of companionship into my day. But as anyone who’s owned a dog will know, it’s never that simple. That one dog changed everything: getting me out of the house, into the woods, and giving me the kind of quiet moments that can clear your head.
During the Covid lockdown, with a bit more time on my hands, I started painting again. I thought I’d paint my dog to see if I could capture that bond we shared. One portrait turned into another, then another, and soon I was doing portraits for friends, family, and eventually clients. That’s how Pup Art UK began—almost accidentally, but from a place that’s deeply meaningful to me.
Now, my focus is on capturing that connection between pets and their people. Most of the portraits I do are memorials, so I put a lot of thought into each one, aiming to bring out something unique that reflects the spirit of the animal and the bond they shared with their human. The goal isn’t photo-realism; it’s more about capturing a feeling, a spark.
At home, I have Max, a loyal staffy built like a diving helmet, and Ralphie, a desperately needy Chihuahua who looks better in person. They keep me grounded, force me to step away from the screen, and sometimes, they even make me open a window. They’re not exactly “muses,” but they’re a constant reminder of why I do what I do.
Me, Me, Me
My Artistic Style
My style is loose and expressive. I’m in awe of the precision artists who recreate every detail down to the last whisker, but I take a different path. For me, it’s about capturing a feeling, a connection—something slightly more elusive. Working in digital media gives me the freedom to take risks with colour, composition, and texture, allowing me to create fluid, dynamic works that feel alive. Every portrait is unique and, hopefully, a heartfelt reflection of the relationship it represents.
Max, Ralphie, and Family Life
At home, my two dogs, Max and Ralphie, are my ever-present best fur-friends. Max is a lazy staffy who’s all heart, while Ralphie, my tiny Chihuahua, has the personality of a lion (and a bit of a cat). They keep me sane by doing not much really to speak of at all, and fill my life with the love only pets can bring.
How I have developed
By day, I’m a partner at 49th Floor Design & Artworking in Bedfordshire, where I work on corporate design projects. It’s creative but often precise and technical, and I think my expressive style has developed partly as a reaction to the structure of that work. Painting pet portraits gives me the freedom to be loose, bold, and expressive, which feels like an antidote to the tight deadlines and strict designs of my day job.
Beyond Art and Animals
Outside of art, animals, and family, I love music and movies. A million years ago, I played bass guitar in a rock band (we were pretty good!), and although I haven’t picked up a bass since then, that love of music has stayed with me. Long walks with Max and Ralphie in the outdoors remain one of my favourite ways to recharge and find inspiration.
The Creative Process
Check out the video below to see the full creative process, from start to finish! Follow along as I bring one of my portraits to life, capturing every detail and brushstroke that makes each piece uniquely Pup Art UK
Digital Natural Media
I work manually on a professional HUION artist’s drawing tablet. Think of it as a gigantic, glorified iPad with specialised features—so reliable, it’s trusted by artists at Disney and countless others.
I use Rebelle 7 Pro, software designed to emulate natural media with incredible accuracy. My tools are simple: digital oils, a limited selection of custom brushes, and no shortcuts like stamps or filters. Each brushstroke is made by hand, and every colour is layered by eye to ensure each piece is as unique and vibrant as the animals I paint.
About My Process
No pre-made filters, AI, or ‘cheats’ are involved in creating my portraits. I start from scratch, laying a grid over the reference image to sketch proportions by eye in Rebelle 7 Pro. I then block in colours, gradually refining and adjusting until I’m happy with the result. You can catch paint-alongs and live streams on Instagram that show my process—one of my favourites is featured above, giving you a look at my approach.
What’s the Benefit to You?
I studied fine art from 1996 to 2001, so I’m trained in traditional painting and drawing. In my day job as a partner at 49th Floor Design & Artworking in Bedfordshire, I work with tools that allow me to create affordably and efficiently compared to conventional materials, and I’m thrilled to pass these savings on to you. Natural media synthesis has reached a level where it’s often hard to distinguish from traditional art, but with each piece, there’s still a human touch and creative vision that ensures every portrait is a personal and one-of-a-kind work of art.
Can I Buy the Original?
Each commissioned portrait comes as a high-resolution digital file for you to print and frame however you like. Since I work digitally, there’s no physical “original”—but the artwork you receive carries all the heart and detail of a hand-painted piece.
Ready to Bring Your Pet’s Portrait to Life?
Explore the custom commission process or browse original artworks to find the perfect piece for your space.