This painting is of the Life Guards division of the Household Cavalry. The Cavalry is lined up in front of the statute of Earl Roberts on Horse Guards Parade, London.

Painted from a plein air sketch and photos taken on the day of the London Plein Air Painting Event at St James’s Park organised by the British Plein Air Painters. On this very sunny autumn day the light reflected off the surface of Horse Guards Parade and illumiated the the backs of the soldiers bouncing off all the polished metal. The shadows were great!

The Changing of the Guard happens on Horse Guards Parade, London, throughout the year. However if its heavy rain they change the guard in the stables, you can still observe this as you can see through glass if you have a ticket to the Cavalry Museum. The Household Cavalry are a big tourist attraction in summer, you have to jostle to get a good view of the Changing of the Guard…..better to go in winter when the breath of the horses adds to the drama. I will be doing a series of these paintings and visiting horseguards this winter to do some more sketches.

If you are interested in seeing the ceremony at Horse Guards Parade  Check times when they are Changing the Guard here – nb if there is a state occasion on they may not parade.