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.

Ncuti Gatwa, Lady Glenconner, Fay Ripley: Episode Image
Episode 1Ncuti Gatwa, Lady Glenconner, Fay Ripley

In this first heat, the artists paint while Kathleen Soriano, Tai Shan Schierenberg and Kate Bryan judge. (S7, ep 1)

Sir Trevor McDonald, Mirren Mack, The Vivienne: Episode Image
Episode 2Sir Trevor McDonald, Mirren Mack, The Vivienne

Contestants have just four hours to paint one of three very famous faces in the second heat. (S7, ep 2) Also in UHD.

Deborah James, Eamonn Walker, Melanie Sykes: Episode Image
Episode 3Deborah James, Eamonn Walker, Melanie Sykes

The third heat gets underway as nine more artists have just four hours to create their portrait. (S7, ep 3)

Ray Blk, James Nesbitt, Pam Hogg: Episode Image
Episode 4Ray Blk, James Nesbitt, Pam Hogg

In the fourth heat, musician Ray BLK, actor James Nesbitt and designer Pam Hogg all pose for portraits. (S7, ep 4)

Robert Rinder, Katie Piper, Don Letts: Episode Image
Episode 5Robert Rinder, Katie Piper, Don Letts

The fifth heat gets underway as nine artists hoping to impress the judges. (S7, ep 5)

Eddie Marsan, Sian Clifford, Paul Mescal: Episode Image
Episode 6Eddie Marsan, Sian Clifford, Paul Mescal

Actors including BAFTA winner Sian Clifford sit down for portraits. (S7, ep 6)

David Haig, Jordan Stephens, Jane Horrocks: Episode Image
Episode 7David Haig, Jordan Stephens, Jane Horrocks

Another batch of artists have four hours to create portraits of this weeks' celebrity sitters. (S7, ep 7)

Kwame Kwei-Armah, Dame Katherine Grainger, Fred Sirieix: Episode Image
Episode 8Kwame Kwei-Armah, Dame Katherine Grainger, Fred Sirieix

Nine artists must paint one of this week's celebrity sitters in a bid to impress the judges. (S7, ep 8)

Bernardine Evaristo: Episode Image
Episode 9Bernardine Evaristo

The semi-final kicks off at Battersea Art Centre, where the artists gear up to paint the award-winning novelist. (S7, ep 9)

Eddie Izzard: Episode Image
Episode 10Eddie Izzard

Just three artists remain, and they have four hours to create a portrait of the renowned actor. (S7, ep 10)

Carlos Acosta: Episode Image
Episode 11Carlos Acosta

This year's winner prepares to paint iconic Cuban ballet star Carlos Acosta. (S7, ep 11)

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