over the stable door…
Horse portraits, painted by hand
Christine paints horses in watercolour, by hand, from your photos or from a photo shoot: one much-loved head, two old friends side by side, or the horses and the dog together. She'll help you choose the pose, the size and what goes in the background.
13 horses in the gallery · From £195 mounted · Exhibited at the major horse trials
Met at the horse trials
Christine's work is exhibited at Crufts and the major horse trials, and some of her horse commissions have started there. She painted Shelley's first horse after meeting her at Burghley; when Shelley wanted her next horse painted, she booked a photo shoot on Christine's next trip south.
Christine travels on regular photo-shoot trips: to Yorkshire after Blenheim Horse Trials to photograph Tom and Chance, over the stable door, and to Stratford for three horses painted as a surprise birthday present. Or bring your horse's photos to a show and talk through your order on the stand.
Each year a portrait commission is raffled at the Horse of the Year Show for The Brooke, raising over a thousand pounds for working horses, donkeys and mules.
where to meet Christine →From photo to painting
Each painted from the owner's photos, taped beside it.
the rosette left out
Skewbald horse
John's wife had already had a painting of a horse done. As her 40th birthday approached, he sent Christine some photographs for a surprise present. Christine worked from two photos of her coloured horse, including the head collar but leaving out the rosette.
three horses, one Large painting
Three horses
Christine went to Stratford on one of her photo-shoot trips to photograph these three horses for a surprise birthday present. She drew an outline sketch of the layout so the client could check it before painting began. It was painted at the Large size and collected from the studio.
two horses and the terrier
Two horses & a terrier
For her daughter's birthday, this client asked Christine to photograph the horses and the Border Terrier. Painting just the heads means they can all go on the same painting. She was thrilled with the result.
without the head collar
Mrs Fall's horse
Christine met Mrs Fall in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. Her daughter was off to university and the horse was to be sold, so they wanted a portrait to remember this special friend, painted without the head collar against a pale background.
More horses from the studio
all the horses in the gallery →Which size for your horse?
A horse's or pony's head fits the Small or Standard size. The Medium suits a head or a group, and the Large a bigger group. A head can be painted in landscape format to show the markings on the neck, as Christine did for Rachael's horse.
| Size | Suits | Mounted | Framed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small11″ × 14″ · 1 animal only | Head | £195 | £220 |
| Standard18″ × 14″ · 1 or 2 animals | Head | £345 | £380 |
| Medium22″ × 18″ · 3 or more animals: add £50 | Head or group | £480 | £525 |
| Large30″ × 24″ · 3 or more animals: add £50 | Group | £690 | £755 |
Rosettes, trophies and backgrounds
Head portraits usually have a pale colour wash behind the head. For a full-body portrait, Christine can change the background from the one in your photo to a scene from your garden or another memorable place, and include toys, trophies or rosettes. Please send photos of anything you'd like included.
It's your choice: the skewbald above was painted with its head collar but without its rosette, and Shelley's horse against a plain colour wash. For a horse you bred, a montage can show it full grown with smaller paintings of it as a foal.
Photos of your horse
- A good place to photograph a horse is over a stable door.
- Get close, and make sure the ears look alert: have someone rattle a gate or a food bucket, or clap, behind the camera.
- Natural light is best, when the sun isn't too bright.
- Remove the head collar first if you don't want it in the painting.
- Send extra photos of markings, and of anything you'd like in the background.
More in the photo tips. Or let Christine take them: book a photo shoot. It's sometimes possible for her to come to your stable.
Questions
Which size suits a horse portrait?
Small: head (1 animal only); Standard: head (1 or 2 animals); Medium: head or group (3 or more animals: add £50); Large: group (3 or more animals: add £50). See the size guide, or ask Christine.
Can you paint several horses, or a horse with my dog?
Yes. Painting just the heads means they can all go on the same painting, as in the portrait of two horses and a Border Terrier below. They don't have to be in the same photo.
Can rosettes or trophies go in the painting?
Yes. Head portraits usually have a pale colour wash behind the head. For a full-body portrait, Christine can change the background from the one in your photo to a scene from your garden or another memorable place, and include toys, trophies or rosettes. Please send photos of anything you'd like included.
Can Christine photograph my horse?
Yes. Book a photo shoot: it lasts about 45 to 60 minutes, longer for bigger groups. It is sometimes possible for Christine to visit your home or stable; please ask about availability.
Can you leave out the head collar?
Yes: Mrs Fall's horse, below, was painted without the head collar it wore in the photo. If you're taking new photos, remove the head collar first if you don't want it in the painting.
More answers in How to order.
Ready to have your horse painted?
Call or send Christine a message with a few photos, or ask about a photo shoot. She handles each order personally.
Or call Christine on 07790 726719, or send her a message.