AFTER five intense weeks, Llanidloes’ Callum Stephen has made it through to the BBC’s The Big Painting Challenge final.

The 23-year-old bricklayer is hoping to be crowned winner of the prime time TV show searching for Britain’s best amateur artist.

Two contestants were sent home but Callum’s work made a big impression and was worthy of a place in the final four.

“All I can do is give my best and try to take on board what I’ve learnt so far,” said Callum.

“I’m really happy to be in the finals – bring it on!”

He must continue to impress the judges, Lachlan Goudie and Daphne Todd, in the final from Chatham’s historic dockyards with a self-portrait challenge, messy masterclasses and a free-hand challenge to paint whatever he chooses with the addition of surprise guest judges.

During the semi-final, the self-taught artist demonstrated his skills capturing movement of gymnasts and athletes in action.

“After going through several canvases in the semi-final, the pressure was on. During the last hour and a bit, I remember thinking ‘Well, I’ve come this far, do something wacky. I’ve got nothing to lose!’.”

Judge Daphne Todd praised Callum’s “clever and interesting” use of palette.

Callum said: “I think the last 30 seconds of the timeslot, I mixed this neon purple so I could show movement and it somehow worked! Don’t ask me why, I guess that’s the beauty of art.”

Daphne also said she sees a lot of potential in the 23-year-old’s skills and encouraged him to go to art school.

Callum was selected from thousands to take part in an artistic boot camp in a bid to perfect his painting skills under the watchful eye of art mentors, Diana Ali and Pascal Anson and presenters the Rev Richard Coles and Mariella Frostrup.

His big break came after the show’s producers contacted him after seeing his realistic paintings on Instagram, only moments after his work was turned down by a local gallery. Callum hopes to ditch the day job of bricklaying to become a professional painter.

n The final of The Big Painting Challenge airs this Sunday at 6pm on BBC One.