College students compete against professionals in live painting event

A Weston College student overcame a number of professional artists to finish second in a prestigious live painting competition.

Cameron Gelder, 19, won his ‘heat’ and only narrowly missed out on winning the final of Art Battle Bristol at the city’s Marble Factory.

Cameron and fellow Weston College student Lewis Bateman, 17, were among 12 artists, including professionals, to compete in the event.

Each competitor was given 20 minutes to produce a work of art in front of an audience of 250. Spectators then vote on their favourite painting, with each work auctioned off at the end of the event.

Cameron and Lewis, who both study the Level 3 Art and Design course, made a big impression on the audience, which included their classmates and tutor, Nicola Stent.

“Cameron and Lewis did themselves and the College proud,” said Nicola.

“They engaged with the crowd and produced some excellent pieces of work under real pressure.

“Cameron really showed his ability to improvise, using his bank card to create an effect on his first painting!

“After finishing first in his heat, he was within five votes of winning the final.

“All three of the students’ pieces sold at the auction, with one of Cameron’s fetching £80.

“Their classmates got involved as well, and gave Cameron and Lewis lots of support.

“The event also provided the students with some great opportunities to network with professional painters, graffiti artists and architects.”

Cameron was pipped to first place by Jody Thomas, a Bristol-based professional graffiti artist who began painting with Banksy.