Alton Barnes White Horse

Alton Barnes White Horse: watercolour on wood

Alton Barnes White Horse is a chalk hill figure on Milk Hill near Alton in Wiltshire. It is one of eight in the county. It made a huge mark on my mind as we saw it from the Kennet and Avon Canal below. It’s is approximately 180 feet high and 160 feet long, and was cut in 1812 under the commission of local farmer Robert Pile. It is based on the Cherhill white horse and you can find my painting of that in this Nature Gallery too.

The Alton Barnes white horse was illuminated by candles every solstice for over ten years and has also been transformed into a zebra on April Fools’ Day.

There used to be 13 white horses in Wiltshire, but only 8 remain. You could have a reminder in your home. The iconic Wiltshire White horses are things of beauty and mystery. You can forget all your cares as you get lost in the history and time of the place.

I have used a wonderful technique called ink resist which results in an image akin to a wood cut. I think it is appropriate for such a magical place. The paper has been mounted on a birch wood board and then gently waxed to give it a sheen and depth, and is framed in a black float frame. The joy of this process is that the picture does not need protecting under glass. The Alton Barnes white horse is one of a small collection of White Horse landscapes, you might like to see the others in this Nature Gallery.

As with all watercolours, it should not be hung in bright sunlight, an area of high humidity or near a heat source, but I am sure you knew that!

I am also happy to arrange shipping, and as I love each painting will do my best to ensure it reaches you in perfect condition. If you are not in the UK, I can get you a quote.

In addition to the gallery paintings I also accept commissions too, so feel free to get in touch, if you have something in mind.