Blackpool film crews shoot a new series of Sky’s Landscape Artist of the Year

Cameras roll on the seafront near North Pier today (Wednesday June 8) as candidates prepare to put paint to paper in a new round of Landscape Artist of the Year from Sky Arts.

The production and film crews have been busy staging the Prom in front of the Hotel Metropole where they set up camp on Monday June 6.

Eight modules have been set up facing the Irish Sea, where artists will have four hours to paint a stunning landscape to impress the show’s panel of expert judges.

The Blackpool episode will feature in the first run of series 8, which is due to air on Sky Arts later this year.

Eight contestants will be judged on their painting of Blackpool and six of them will earn a place in the semi-finals.

The bottom three will then advance to the final round where the winner will receive a £10,000 commission for a top UK institution and £500 worth of art materials.

In previous years the show has been presented by comedian Stephen Mangan and journalist and TV presenter Joan Bakewell, who also present Sky’s sister competition, Sky Portrait Artist of the Year.

They are often seen mingling with artists as they discuss their work and the pair are expected to appear in Blackpool during filming this week.

Sky was approached for comment.