British artist Ripley works with high resolution digital composite photography to create large-scale pieces. His primary focus is working with Thoroughbred Racehorses, creating a feel of the equine master painters but using modern methods to create works of incredible detail and clarity.
Notable works include the portrait of ‘Estimate’ which Ripley created for Queen Elizabeth II in 2016, and portraits with ‘Pivotal’, ‘California Chrome’, ‘Big Bucks’, ‘Cracksman’, and the piece ‘Leopard Spotted Horse with Dalmatians in a Landscape’.
Ripley has recently completed a series of portraits of the Household Cavalry.
Pictured below : Close-up crop showing detail from upcoming work.
Information
Recent highlights ;
2023
Initial dates for the Household Cavalry exhibitions, events and private views can be viewed on the exhibitions page.
2020/22
The Household Cavalry ; portraits in post-production.
2019/20
Thoroughbred commissions : ‘Cracksman’ (unveiled on the 21st September 2019 in Newmarket), 'Rumble In The Jungle' and the stallion 'Cockney Rebel'.
During 2019 works were presented at Chatsworth House, Goodwood Racecourse and Victoria House in London.
2018
Photography continued in London throughout 2018 & 2019 for the Household Cavalry portraits. This involved photographing views throughout the capitol with kind permissions from many landmark buildings and the Royal Parks.
Ripley completed the picture ‘Pivotal' (pictured with Mares & Foals at Cheveley Park Stud). As of November 2018 the picture forms part of the permanent collection at The National Horse Racing Museum in Newmarket.
2017
In June 2017 Ripley completed initial photography with the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, this took place at Hyde Park Barracks and involved soldiers from The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals on their horses.
The Munnings Art Museum invited Ripley as their guest speaker for the inaugural Munnings Birthday Lecture which was held on the 8th of October 2017.
Ripley produced the portrait ‘Leopard Spotted Horse with Dalmatians in a Landscape’ and completed works with ‘The Gurkha’ (a commission from Goodwood Racecourse as a gift to Coolmore Stud) and ‘Rajasinghe’ (Coventry Stakes winner at Royal Ascot 2017).
Ripley loaned a framed print (Artist Proof) of 'Estimate' to Ascot Racecourse for public display.
2015/16
Ripley was commissioned to create a portrait of ‘Estimate’ for Her Majesty The Queen. ‘Estimate’, owned by The Queen and winner of the Ascot Gold Cup in 2013 was pictured in foal in September 2015 with the final piece completed by February 2016.
Ripley presented the picture to The Queen at a private function in May 2016. It was delivered to the Sandringham Estate in June.
In December 2016 The Queen gifted a half-sized framed print of the picture to The Aga Khan on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
Ripley was again commissioned by Goodwood to create an image featuring ‘Galileo Gold’ as well as a private commission of a portrait of 'Dubday'.
2015
This year saw the completion of works with ‘California Chrome’ and ‘Postponed’, a bespoke portrait for the Goodwood Festival, and works presented at The London Art Fair.
2014
Ripley was invited by The Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket to hold the first exhibition of his early equine portraiture. The solo show presented twelve pictures and was entitled "Ripley - The July Week Exhibition".
2011-2013
Moving away from commercial projects (see; history) Ripley started to focus on personal works, he studied the history of equine portraiture and the lives and works of artists such as George Stubbs, John Frederick Herring, Emil Adam and Sir Alfred Munnings. Ripley also enrolled in a course of 42 lectures at The National Stud in Newmarket (UK).