Blencathra Magnets

From an original watercolour by Bob Petcher of an iconic mountain in the UK Lake District.

Atmospheric watercolour inspired by a holiday photo of Blencathra in the UK Lake District.

Painted plein air from the summit of Blencathra. What a great day hike in the Lake District!

The view of Blencathra as seen from the Castlerigg Stone Circle in monochrome. Blencathra sits in the northernmost fells of Cumbria's Lake District within the Skiddaw range. It has all of six summits, the highest being Hallifell Top reaching 2848ft (868m) above sea level. Thge stones in the foreground are part of the Castlerigg stone circle which is high above the town of Keswick. This is a neolithic circle dating from about 3000BC and is one of the oldest in Britain.

Blencathra mountain, also known as Saddleback towers above the surrounding countryside. The view here was taken between Threlkeld and Thirlmere Lake. The top of Blecathra towers to nearly 2,900ft above the surrounding Lake District countryside and is a popular walk.

Blencathra is one of The Lake District's best loved mountains and is known to locals as'Old Saddleback' (for obvious reasons). This acrylic work was painted from a photograph taken in the middle of a harsh Winter in Cumbria when the scenery is at its most beautiful and most dangerous.

This little abstract was inspired by a photograph taken on a trip to the UK Lake Dirtrict in 2017. It shows Blencathra, also known as 'Old Saddleback' but don't be fooled by the folksy name. I once got lost on the mountain and it is a cold forbidding place. I think I have captured its essence in this small sketch.

Glorious morning light shining on Blencathra with the light catching Blease and Lonscale fells.

English Lake District mountains in winter

Blencathra from Hart Side

A badge of honour can be used to show you have accomplished something. Conqering a Lake District fell deserves such a badge!

An impressionist's view looking north from the Castlerigg stone circle to the Northern Fells of the Skiddaw range. Castlerigg stone circle stands on the hills high above the town of Keswick. This is a neolithic circle dating from about 3000 BC and is one of the oldest in Britain.

Looking north from the Castlerigg stone circle to the Northern Fells of the Skiddaw range. Blencathra with its distinctive saddle shape sits to the right. Castlerigg stone circle is high above the town of Keswick. This is a neolithic circle dating from about 3000 BC and is one of the oldest in Britain.

I was lucky enough to have timed this just right. I had wildcamped the night before round the back o' Skiddaw, and had made an early started followed by a cloud of midges. It was August and a warm still morning. I reached the summit of Skiddaw around 9am and got this stunning view of the surrounding peaks - Blencathra, Hellvellyn and a hint of High Street poking through the mists. I took a whole series of photos, and this painting is the best of that view. Painted in oil on a 20x8 inch board.

A badge of honour can be used to show you have accomplished something. Conquering a Lake District fell deserves such a badge!