Elly
Size
15×20cm
Year
2025
Custom Toy Poodle Renaissance Portrait Painting
Elly has never needed a crown to look aristocratic.
This little Toy Poodle from Switzerland has dark expressive eyes, beautifully groomed curls and one particularly recognisable signature: her bows. Among her collection of accessories were also pearl-like beads, which became the starting point for the concept of her portrait.
Together with her owner, we decided to create something inspired by classical and Victorian portraiture: deep, elegant tones, pearls, and the atmosphere of an old painted portrait, but without turning Elly into a human character.
Because the canvas measures just 15×20 cm, I chose a close portrait composition showing her head and chest rather than her full body. On a small canvas, this allows much more space for the details that matter most: her eyes, expression, curls, bow and the texture of her coat.
No costume. No tiny human body. No theatrical parody.
Just Elly, looking entirely like herself, only with the quiet grandeur she already naturally possesses.
This commission also became a good example of how the revision process works.
The first version of Ellie was more stylised, with slightly softer and more illustrative features. After seeing it, her owner asked me to bring the portrait closer to Ellie's real appearance, particularly around the eyes and the structure of her fur.
So I reworked the painting.
The final version preserves the classical atmosphere of the original concept while making Elly herself more realistic and immediately recognisable. Both stages of the portrait are shown here because they demonstrate something I consider essential in custom work: the first version does not have to be the final answer.
The painting is now in Switzerland, hanging in Elly's home.
Artwork Summary
Subject: Elly, Toy Poodle
Size: 15×20 cm
Medium: Oil on canvas
Composition: Head-and-chest portrait for maximum detail on a small canvas
Style: Classical portraiture with Victorian-inspired tones, renaissance dog portrait
Personal details: Ellie's signature bow and pearl accessories
Revision: Original stylised version reworked for more realistic eyes, fur and likeness
Destination: Switzerland
A portrait we work on together, until it is right
When I create a custom portrait, the goal is not to force your pet into a predetermined style. The style should serve their personality.
And if the first version does not quite capture the face you know by heart, we keep working on it.
Because a beautiful painting is not enough. It still has to look like your Elly. Commission your own classical-style portrait, with revisions included until it feels unmistakably them.
Small, intimate and full of character
Works especially well for a close-up portrait of one pet, with the focus on the face, expression and the little details that make them unmistakably themselves
True to life portrait, customised to your liking
Handmade oil painting
100% money back guarantee - adjust until it’s perfect, love it or get a refund
Comes with a wooden easel for horizontal display that may be painted in a color of your choice or a pre-installed wall mount
📦 Payment and delivery:
Worldwide shipping via DHL
You can pay only 10% now and the rest later, after you’ve received and approved photos and videos of the painting
Payments via Apple Pay, Visa / MasterCard, Klarna, PayPal or direct bank transfer
📐 Technical Details:
High-quality cotton canvas on a stretcher frame
Professional Windsor & Newton oil paints and Gamblin finish
Optional gold, silver, and bronze leaf accents
And by the way, oil paintings are proven to last for centuries.