Portrait Artist of the Year

201311 seriesEntertainment / Music/Arts
Available on Sky Arts
Sky Arts

Artists are getting their time in the spotlight with `Portrait Artist of the Year', as a panel of esteemed judges travel across Europe in search of the brightest new star in the art world. Each episode features a regional competition in which contestants are challenged to produce a portrait of one of three famous sitters, and the judges then select who moves onto the semi-final. Top-three finalists have their work displayed in one of the UK's world-famous cultural institutions, and the winner will receive a £10,000 commission to produce an artwork that will become a permanent part of the British Library. Famous sitters featured include Sir Ian McKellen, Sophie Turner, Sophie Dahl, Maisie Williams, Julian Fellowes, Alan Cumming, and many more.

Painting Hilary Mantel: Episode Image
Episode 0Painting Hilary Mantel

...2013. Painting Hilary Mantel: Join the winning artist as they painted and unveiled their commission capturing the late Booker Prize-winning author Hilary Mantel for the British Library.

London: Episode Image
Episode 1London

Juliet Stevenson, Robert Lindsay and Alison Steadman: Joan Bakewell and Frank Skinner begin their search for Sky Arts' Portrait Artist of the Year in London. (1 of 6)

Glasgow: Episode Image
Episode 2Glasgow

John Hannah, Sophie Turner and Michael Kerr: Frank Skinner, Joan Bakewell and the judges head to Glasgow as 21 competitors capture celebrity sitters. (2 of 6)

Dublin: Episode Image
Episode 3Dublin

Pauline McLynn, David Rawle and Lethal Bizzle: Frank Skinner and Joan Bakewell take the competition to Dublin where 21 artists hope to wow the judges. (3 of 6)

Cardiff: Episode Image
Episode 4Cardiff

Gavin Henson, Sue Tilley and Simon Weston: The final heat takes Joan Bakewell and Frank Skinner to Wales where artists paint Gavin Henson, Sue Tilley and Simon Weston. (4 of 6)

Paris: Episode Image
Episode 5Paris

Sophie Dahl: The penultimate stage of the competition takes the four finalists to the French Capital. (5 of 6)

National Portrait Gallery: Episode Image
Episode 6National Portrait Gallery

The finalists unveil one last portrait before the judges enter tense discussions over the winner. Who will be crowed Portrait Artist of the Year? (6 of 6)

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