Rob’s challenge – a picture in four hours

After several years of toying with the idea, local artist Rob Wilson finally took the plunge and applied to be on Sky TV’s Landscape Artist of the Year.

The show gives artists just four hours to complete a piece of work – and Rob’s heat was overlooking the coast off Plymouth Hoe, in Plymouth – somewhere he’d never been before.

Eight artists were selected to work from inside a pod, with another 50 ‘wildcard’ artists (including Rob) competing for a place in the semi final.

Rob told ilovemacc “The day started as a beautiful sunny morning and I met up with my fellow competitors out on the Hoe. It was interesting to hear how far people had travelled.”

“The Sky team were really friendly and I was looking forward to getting started. After a bit of waiting around we were given a general area to work from, from which I chose an elevated position looking westward down the coast.”

“I’ve worked ‘en plain air’ before, but with the unpredictable nature of the coastal weather, alongside TV cameras and judges looking over your shoulder- it proved to be a very challenging experience!”

“Very soon after starting, the dark clouds moved in and the wind picked up. The day developed into a cycle of sunshine and heavy showers. During the day one of my favourite judges, Tai Shan Schierenberg, came over to look at my work. It was great to meet and chat with him. Despite the challenges of the day, it was a very exhausting, but thoroughly enjoyable experience.”

The show airs this Tuesday 15th Oct on Sky Arts – you’ll have to tune in to see the outcome!

Rob’s two finished pieces will be on view at his Winter Show on 9/10th November at Lockside Mill, St Martins Road, Marple SK6 7BZ