Sudbury artist Barry Lowenhoff describes his ‘unique experience’ after featuring on Sky Arts' Landscape Artist of the Year TV programme

Featuring in the first episode of a national television contest does not happen every day.

Ardent artist Barry Lowenhoff, of Sudbury, described his experience of appearing in the new series of Sky Arts’ Landscape Artist of the Year as ‘very unique and special’.

Filmed at Hampton Court Palace in London in June, Barry was one of eight competitors from across the UK to be involved in the first episode, which aired yesterday.

The 68-year-old said: “It was absolutely fantastic. I didn’t quite know what to expect but it was very exciting to be sent to a location you hadn’t been before and capture it in your own style.

“It was quite a long and hot day, but we were well looked after and it was very insightful to see what goes into making the programme.

“It was a very unique and special experience for me. I just had an amazing time.”

Landscape Artist of the Year, which has nine series to its name, is hosted by Stephen Mangan and the winner receives a £10,000 commission from a major institution.

The programme required a whole day of filming but artists were given a four-hour time slot to complete their paintings, before they were then judged.

Pods were set up for artists overlooking a formal garden to the side of Hampton Court, with the River Thames next to it and buildings beyond the garden.

Barry, who is a fan of previous seasons of the show, was battling it out against seven other artists with their pencils and paintbrushes for a place in the semi-finals, but he did not make it through.

Only one person from each of the six episodes was able to make it to the next round.

“It was fine really that I didn’t get to the semi-finals, as it was more about the day itself,” he said.

“It was a tiny bit disappointing but I was very grateful to have the experience. It’s a big achievement anyway and I’m still very pleased.

“It was so good to meet the other artists and chat to them. We drew a sigh of relief at the end of the day as it had been quite draining.

“You get asked questions by camera crews and you can get distracted, as well as having the pressure to produce something really good, of course.”

Barry has previously illustrated work for commercial clients, such as the National Trust and Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service. He also sits on the committee of the Suffolk Art Society.

Barry, who has lived in Sudbury for more than 20 years, has loved art since he was a young child.

“I’ve been drawing and painting for honestly as long as I can remember,” he said.

“I actually started drawing before I went to primary school and I remember getting praise and being encouraged for doing it.”

Barry added: “I don’t really know why, but my favourite thing to draw or paint has to be landscapes.

“I really enjoy trees and even things like rocks. I gravitate towards more natural stuff so I am into doing forests and coastlines.

“The Stour Valley is somewhere I particularly love going. There are remote places that aren’t too well-known but are very beautiful to me.”