Interview with local Corfe artist Kim Day, winner of Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2026
“I thought it would just be a wonderful, if slightly terrifying, day out!”
At her studio at Sandy Hill Arts, artist Kim Day still seems slightly bemused by the whirlwind success that followed her win on this year’s Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year.
Best known in the film industry as a concept artist, Kim has spent nearly three decades creating visual worlds for cinema before returning seriously to painting in recent years. We spoke to her about balancing film work, family life, painting — and how a last-minute application changed everything.
Q: Before television audiences discovered your paintings, you’d already had a long creative career in film. How did that begin?
I studied fine art in Exeter originally, so painting was always my foundation. After university I ended up in Bournemouth doing exhibition design, but it didn’t really feel right. My boyfriend — now my husband — suggested I apply to the National Film and Television School because it still involved drawing, but there were actual jobs at the end of it.
I honestly didn’t expect to get in, but I did. Since then I’ve worked in film for nearly thirty years as a concept artist. That basically means illustrating anything people can imagine — costumes, props, environments, landscapes, entire scenes.
The deadlines are intense, so over the years I’ve learned to work very quickly. In film you need to be reliable as much as talented. If someone suddenly needs artwork for a meeting the next morning, you have to deliver.
Q: Did you continue your own painting throughout those years?
Not really. When you’re drawing ten hours a day in studios, commuting, and working long hours, there’s very little left in the tank. Painting for myself mostly stopped for quite a long time.
Things changed after we moved permanently back to Dorset and the film industry became more remote after Covid. Suddenly I wasn’t commuting all the time. I could paint in the daytime or during lunch breaks. That’s when I started painting seriously again.
Q: You’re originally from this area, aren’t you?
Yes — I grew up locally and studied in Bournemouth and Poole, so coming back here felt very natural. We’d already been spending weekends here to recover from London and the film world. Eventually we just thought: why don’t we simply live here?
It’s such an inspiring place. The landscape is extraordinary, but there’s also an incredible creative community here in Purbeck.
Q: So how did Landscape Artist of the Year happen?
Completely unexpectedly! A London-based artist I’d met at a local gallery messaged me and asked if I’d applied. I hadn’t even realised applications were open.
I submitted my entry right near the deadline and honestly thought nothing much would come of it. Then within a couple of weeks I was invited to paint at Derwent Water.
I went into it thinking it would just be a wonderful, if slightly terrifying day out.
Q: But then you kept progressing through the competition…
Yes — and once it starts, it moves incredibly fast. Suddenly you’re travelling around the country filming episodes every couple of weeks. I’d actually just finished working on the new Masters of the Universe film, so luckily I was between projects!
There was the semi-final at the Ouse Valley Viaduct in Sussex, then the final at the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland, and then the commission at Croagh Patrick in Ireland. Before I knew it, the whole summer had disappeared.
Q: What was the commission experience like?
Amazing, but intense. We spent a week filming around Westport in Ireland with a very small crew. Every day we were out sketching, filming and painting very quickly between camera setups. Then I had only three weeks to complete the final commission painting.
I hadn’t realised how little time there would be. Normally I’d
.. work through several ideas before committing to one painting, but this was very much: make your decisions and trust yourself.
Q: You’re based at Sandy Hill Arts in Corfe Castle. Did the studio community follow your progress through the competition?
Yes — although I wasn’t really allowed to tell people what was happening at first! But once the filming started at the studio, people probably guessed I was doing okay. The trustees had to know because the camera crews were coming in and out.
It was really lovely having that support around me. Sandy Hill Arts feels like a little art family. Everyone’s very encouraging and there’s such a positive creative atmosphere there.
The events and exhibitions they organise are amazing as well. We’re incredibly lucky in Purbeck to have somewhere like that on our doorstep.
Q: Has winning changed your life?
It feels surprisingly similar — and I think that’s actually a good thing. I was always focused on the work itself, and that hasn’t changed. But it has definitely given me more confidence and more freedom. Before, I was often squeezing painting around everything else — painting on the kitchen table, grabbing an hour here and there. Now I can spend more real time developing ideas.
The exposure has also opened doors. I’ve sold more work, gained more subscribers and had conversations with larger galleries. Those opportunities simply wouldn’t have happened before.
Q: Your final painting prompted a very emotional response from viewers. Were you surprised by that?
Very surprised. I had lots of messages from people saying the painting made them emotional or even made them cry. That meant a lot to me because I never wanted it to be just another painting of Croagh Patrick. There are already so many beautiful paintings of this landscape. I wanted to create something about atmosphere and spirit — about history, people and feeling.
Q: Would you encourage other artists to enter the competition?
Absolutely. I think the key is not to go in expecting to win. Just enjoy the experience. When I arrived at my heat and saw everybody else’s work, I honestly thought, “I don’t stand a chance.” There was so much brilliant work there.
But once you start painting, adrenaline takes over. It becomes this fantastic shared experience with lots of artists all together in a beautiful place.
And even if you don’t get selected, there’s the wildcard option. It’s still an amazing day.
Sometimes all it takes is somebody encouraging you to try. I probably wouldn’t have entered again if that artist hadn’t messaged me and said, “Go for it.”
I’ve learned that sometimes you should listen when someone else sees something in you that you can’t quite see yourself.
Find out more about Kim Day on her website: www.dayfinearts.com
Or find out more about visiting Sandy Hill Arts
