Catbells: Approaching the Summit (2026) Original Oil Painting by Chris Marshall

Catbells is a very popular small mountain in the Lake District. It combines lovely direct ridge climbing with spectacular views, and only takes a bit over an hour to climb. To avoid the crowds, I did the ascent last May at dawn, starting my walk at around 5.00am. This painting shows the mountain summit from somewhere about half way up. I wanted to paint it because of the quality of the dawn light - crisp, clear and very obviously directional, creating the lovely contrast between the sunlit eastern slope and the shadowy western side. I mentioned that Catbells is extremely popular, but the painting is true to life in the number of walkers it depicts (namely none) as I had the mountain entirely to myself that morning. A simple composition but a joy to paint.

Materials used:

Oil paints on a stretched canvas panel

Details:

• Oil painting on Canvas
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 63 x 43 x 4cm (framed)
• Framed and ready to hang
• Signed certificate of authenticity
• Style: Unspecified
• Subject: Landscapes, sea and sky