For the second year in a row, I participated in this televised competition. In June of 2023, I travelled to Liverpool, flying from Dublin airport after work, to Liverpool airport to compete as a "Wildcard".

On arrival that evening, I got on a bus which took me through the suburbs (including Penny Lane) and on into the city centre. I got off the bus and checked in at the Premier Inn. Prior to my flight I had bought my water mixable oil paints online and had them posted to the hotel so that I wouldn’t have any issues with paints on the flight. After a short few hours of sleeping, I then got up at 5am, and walked 20 minutes to Albert Dock so that I could register for the competition.

After a long wait, we then registered and we then made our way over to the quayside so that we faced the Albert docks to scope out the scenery.

The setting was a lot to take in, so it took a while to adjust to the surroundings and decide on a view. I set up my easel with a view of a tugboat called the Brocklebank. I chose this view because I thought the repetitive arches of Albert dock wouldn't result in an interesting picture, whereas this boat with its's bright colours would be attractive, lots of yellows, and greens, and so had lots of visual interest.

It was now about 8.30am and I was need of the toilet and a cup of coffee, and on my way back I then realised that the painting competition had already started at 9am. I hurried back and started my work. I had primed my canvas with a light blue ground which was the right choice as the skies were clear blue with no clouds. I then started sketching out my canvas using diluted oil paint and got straight into blocking in the basic tones, light and shade as well as defining the outline of the tugboat. I knew from last year that every second counts so I avoided any kind of preparatory sketches, and I didn’t stop for any water breaks or snacks. I guessed I was so focused and transfixed on painting that I forgot about refreshments. The time sped by and before long the four hours were up. By this stage after having painted non-stop in the hot sun for over four hours, I was exhausted. A lot of spectators were milling around, and several complemented me on my painting, which was appreciated, although I think my nervousness was starting to take effect especially as I was now increasingly feeling dehydrated. Then to my surprise a very friendly Liverpudlian man offered to buy my painting. I didn’t take his name unfortunately but we agreed a price and after the winner had been announced he walked off with my wet oil painting, while I walked off with a sum of notes to help compensate for my hotel and flight costs. It was also a great sense of achievement to have sold a painting, even if I didnt win the competition. I quickly packed up, jumped in a taxi and got on my return flight to Dublin which departed two hours later.

There were film crews all around and so I finally got to see myself setting up my easel when the competition was broadcast on SkyArts on Wednesday 17th January, 2024. My three year old daughter was impressed to see her daddy on the TV!