Sky’s the Limit for OV Landscape Artist

We were so excited to see OV Melanie Thorn Potten (Ch 96-03) on Sky Art’s Landscape Artist of the Year 2024 recently. We were therefore delighted when Melanie kindly shared more details about her experience on the programme:

“In June last year (2023) I travelled to Liverpool on an extremely hot day to take part in one of the heats for Sky Art’s Landscape Artist of the Year 2024. After submitting one of my paintings a few months earlier, I had been selected as a wildcard entry, which meant I could paint at a selected location and be in with a chance of winning the £10,000 commission on offer by the Science Museum for the winning artist.

“An annual competition hosted by Stephen Mangan, Landscape Artist of the Year is in its ninth series and sees professional and amateur artists compete by painting “en plein air” at beautiful locations across the UK throughout the summer. At each of the six heats there are eight competitors, painting in pods at a specific location, each fighting for a place in the semi-final. Alongside the competitors are up to 50 selected wildcard artists per heat.

“I was absolutely delighted to be chosen as a Wildcard to paint at Liverpool Waterfront. I travelled to Liverpool the night before the competition to suss out the location and see what sort of landscape I might be faced with on the day, as I wanted to be as prepared as possible! Whilst it was difficult to know where we would be located exactly, I began to get a feel for the area and the variety of views that might be in consideration.

“The competition day was another scorching hot day. The Wildcards were directed to an area on Liverpool’s famous Waterfront and I set up my easel in a quiet location, just slightly detached from the main area where most artists were battling for space. I had two main subject matters to choose from where I stood, one being the Three Graces, and the other being the Mersey. I decided, as the competition had a four-hour time limit, I’d opt for a composition that I thought I’d likely have more chance of completing in time. So I faced towards the water, finding beautiful reflections, softening horizons behind the hazy heat of the day, and ferries moving slowly in and out from the pontoon in front of me.

“Being given a time limit took me right back to standing in the King’s Art studios during GCSEs and A-levels! I felt as under pressure and as adamant to succeed as I did all those years ago!

“Whilst the actual painting time was only four hours, with all the filming going on around me for the show, the day was actually a lot longer! It was an absolutely incredible experience painting alongside so many talented artists, in such a friendly and supportive atmosphere too. There was a mix of amateur and professional, experienced “plein air” artists competing, producing an eclectic mix of landscape interpretations. I was overwhelmed by the number of people who had come out to watch, and the general public just passing by for a quick look. So many people came over to ask questions and gave me such wonderful compliments on the progress of my piece. It really helped spur me on.

“I briefly met the three judges, Thai-Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano, and Kate Bryan. They were all lovely and very complimentary. They were also a little concerned we were all going to suffer with sun-burn and heat-stroke!

“After time was up, I began to take stock of the day, felt content with the way my painting had turned out, and was happy to have completed on time too! The time for judging came around and I was incredibly surprised to see Kate Bryan heading right towards me to tell me I’d won the Wildcard Competition for this heat, which was something I’d really never expected! It is so validating to be selected out of so many wonderful artists.

“The programme didn’t air until February this year, so it was quite a long time to wait, but exciting finally to be able to share my news! From each heat, the winning Wildcard goes into a pool of wildcard winners, and one is selected to go through to the semi-final. Unfortunately, I wasn’t selected to go through to the next round; however, from this experience I’ve been able to meet some wonderful new contacts in the art world and it’s given me the confidence to pursue my passion in art and establish myself as an artist. I’d highly recommend entering the competition. You never know what might come from it!”