Portrait Artist of the Year

Competition | Arts & Crafts

Station:
Sky Arts (GB)

Status:
Running

Start:
2013-11-05

Rating:
9/10 from 2 users

Portrait Artist of the Year is hosted by UK TV personalities Joan Bakewell and Frank Skinner; an esteemed group of judges travel across the Europe in search of a new star in the art world. Each episode features a regional competition where artists are shortlisted and challenged to produce a portrait of one of three famous sitters. At the end of each round, the judges select an artist to go to the semifinal. The finalists will have their work displayed at the world-famous National Portrait Gallery in London and the winner will receive a £10,000 commission to paint a portrait which will become part of the permanent collection at the British Library.

Portrait Artist of the Year Next Episode Air Date

Next Episode is 'Best of 2025' (Season 12 Episode 12) and airs on 10 Dec 2025 14:00 (CDT).

Portrait Artist of the Year Images

List of episodes

S12E9 - Mary Berry

Stephen Mangan presents as the semi-finalists paint celebrity sitter Mary Berry, with Tai Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano and Kate Bryan judging their efforts

Air Date: 26 Nov 2025 14:00 (CDT)

S12E10 - Brian Cox

Stephen Mangan hosts as the three finalists paint actor Brian Cox, with the winner earning a £10,000 commision to create a portrait of mathematician and broadcaster Hannah Fry.

Air Date: 03 Dec 2025 14:00 (CDT)

S12E11 - Winner's Film

Following the victorious contestant as they undertake a commission from the Royal Society to paint mathematician and broadcaster Hannah Fry.

Air Date: 03 Dec 2025 15:00 (CDT)

S12E12 - Best of 2025

A look back at the most memorable moments from the 12th series of the competition, featuring sitters including Tim Peake, Emily Atack, Mary Berry and Brian Cox.

Air Date: 10 Dec 2025 14:00 (CDT)