Would you like to join us as we film the Semi-Final of Portrait Artist of The Year?

TICKETS FOR THE SEMI FINAL ARE NOW SOLD OUT

TICKETS FOR ALL HEATS HAVE NOW SOLD OUT

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/storyvault-films-ltd-77588482973

Filming of the Semi-Final will take place on Wednesday 10th April 2024 at Battersea Arts Centre. 

Please be aware, tickets are limited to 2 per person.
On offer are a morning session and an afternoon session.
If you secure a ticket and can no longer attend, out of courtesy to others who have missed out, please return your ticket immediately via Eventbrite.

Please also be advised that there is no parking available on site.
Nearest station is Clapham Junction.

1 small personal bag permitted only.
There will be somewhere to store your coats.
Please be advised that there is no storage at the BAC as it’s a working set, so we cannot admit you if you bring luggage or large bags.

 There is a café located at the BAC.

We look forward to you joining us,

Portrait Artist of the Year Team

Apply to be on Series 10 of Landscape Artist of the Year

If you would like to apply for the next series, the Sky Arts Landscape of the Year competition is now open for entries.

For the chance of winning a £10,000 commission for a major British institution and £500 of materials from Cass Art, get your landscape submissions ready.

 

Deadline for Landscape Artist of the Year Series Ten: Friday 3rd May 2024

 

The competition is open to amateur and professional artists aged 16 or over. All media allowed except sculpture and photographic or digital elements.

 

Portrait Artist of the Year Series 11

We are no longer accepting applications for Series 11 of Portrait Artist of the Year.

We would like to thank everyone who has applied. The judges cannot wait to look at your creations.

We intend to let all artists know the outcome of their application by 4th March 2024. 

 

 

Hosted by Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan, both competitions will be judged by award-winning artist Tai Shan Schierenberg, independent curator Kathleen Soriano, and art historian Kate Bryan.

Please follow @StoryvaultFilmsFacebook,  Instagram, and join our mailing list to be kept informed of developments for both programmes. Terms and conditions apply.
Please visit Portrait TermsLandscape Terms or Wildcard Terms for more information.

If you have any queries please contact [email protected]

Whether artist or enthusiast, please enter your email address below to subscribe to our mailing list and stay informed about the Artist of the Year series.

The Judges

Kathleen Soriano

Being one of the three judges on Portrait Artist of the Year is a tremendous honour. Even after 30 years of making exhibitions of finished work by some of our greatest artists, it is still such an awe-inspiring luxury for me to be able to spend time watching such incredibly talented artists creating a work of art over the course of a short day. The atmosphere on set is dynamic and energetic, kind and supportive: a bit like being in a huge artist studio with lots of friends coming around to chat and offer encouragement, albeit some of them being rather famous ... In showcasing the work of these artists we not only aim to make the processes of making art more explicit and accessible but to inspire everyone to take up your brushes or instead, if you're like me, to explore the wonders of art history.

Tai Shan Schierenberg

As an artist I do have some sympathy for our contestants and the pressures we put them under; from the four hour time limit, to the interruptions as the judges and presenters ask them a whole array of questions in front of the cameras. On the other hand I am rather envious of the fabulous sitters they get to paint such as Stanley Tucci, Imelda Staunton, Sir Ian McKellen et al, as well as the beautiful locations we find for them on Landscape Artist of the Year. Without fail, winners and runners up alike find the whole experience wonderful, a little intense of course, but overwhelmingly I believe the particular pressures of the day and the experience of working next to other equally talented artists has invigorated their own artistic practice in the long term.

Kate Bryan

After a few years of being involved in this programme, which I think is a wonderful antidote to the stuffy aspects of the art world, I am still amazed at what the artists can do in one day. It's like watching a highly skilled athlete nail a long distance run, you know that hundreds of hours of solitary hard work and dedication have gone into their victory. On the day these artists get a real opportunity to shine and they really do dazzle us all. I love being in a room full of fellow art addicts and it is such a good feeling to know there is such a big appetite for this kind of unique art programme.

Past Winners

2023 Landscape Winner Finn Campbell-Notman

Did I really win!? By winning Landscape Artist of the Year I’ve painted my way out of a corner and that’s a huge life and career affirming thing to be able to say. Very often artists work far from the spotlight and when we do come to expose our work, and therefore ourselves, to an audience it can be discombobulating. But not on LAOTY. It is an entirely collegiate, supportive and friendly experience - all of the crew, presenters, judges and fellow artists are on the same team so the competition itself feels more like a very enjoyable game and that allowed us all to focus and simply to try to do our very best on the day. New friendships were forged, joy and struggles, elation and disappointment shared and if feels like we made something together. Making the winners film was enormous fun and then making the commission a huge challenge knowing that the painting would be exhibited at Queens House alongside the masterful Van de Veldes. Rising to that challenge and recalling where it started - early one cold, grey and rainy morning in Blackpool - when unveiling the painting in Greenwich is something I will remember for the rest of my life.

2022 Landscape Winner Elisha Enfield

When I applied to the show I had no idea how much I would learn and grow. Being a part of Landscape Artist of the Year had an amazing impact on my career, but it is the connections I made with fellow artists and in my own practice that have been eye opening. As scary as venturing out of your comfort zone seems, the development it enables is vital; I am not the same person I was going into this competition. I would encourage anyone thinking of doing so, to apply.

2021 Landscape Winner Ophelia Redpath

At the age of 55, I feel my life has had an immediate turnaround as a result of taking part in Landscape Artist of the Year. The very fact that my submission piece gave me a place in LAOTY was a massive boost. The competition itself couldn’t have been a more genuine affirmation of life. The amazing array of talent from the other artists, the kind and professional crew, the locations and weather, all with their own challenges and character, the judges with their wealth of experience, and the wonderful presenters, Joan and Stephen, all made it unforgettable. I couldn’t have hoped for a more lively, colourful and vibrant experience. There was nothing to be frightened of, and everything to be inspired and excited by. So, to anyone who would like to apply, there is nothing to lose, and so much to gain. Good luck!!!!

2020 Portrait Winner Christabel Blackburn

Being a part of Portrait Artist is hard to describe as it meant so much to me. Terrifying, character building, fun, exhausting, exhilarating and enriching, it changed my life and built my confidence which was drastically lacking. Everyone who works on the show is lovely, and sharing the experience with the other contestants has forged invaluable relationships. I am so grateful to everyone who makes this incredible show and to the awe inspiring judges who I’ve looked up to for years and never dreamed they’d be saying my name at the end of the 2020 show. To anyone who is considering entering and is on the fence- do it. And to those that didn’t get through first time... try again! That happened to me and I won second time round. You won’t regret it.

2020 Portrait Winner Curtis Holder

I think I experienced every possible emotion while taking part in Portrait Artist of the Year, but mostly it was a joy. It was inspiring to work alongside so many talented artists and to share our love of creating art. The challenge to produce each portrait in only four hours created a sense of urgency that encouraged me to experiment, pushing my drawing forward in unexpected ways. Hearing the judges critique my work and say that I have something unique and special to offer has boosted my confidence and drive to succeed. Winning the competition and the opportunity to create a piece of work for a major institution like the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has been eye-opening and life-changing. The whole process has been a precious and self-affirming experience. If you’re thinking about entering, my advice is to go for it – whatever happens, you’ve got nothing to lose.

2019 Portrait Winner Duncan Shoosmith

I would heartily recommend entering Portrait Artist of the Year. It’s well out of most artists’ comfort zone but it’s all the better for it. It’s bizarre, it’s stressful and it’s exhausting…but it’s also incredibly rewarding both on a personal and professional level. I now have a mountain of work, and a firmer confidence in myself as an artist…not to mention some new strong friendships.

2019 Landscape Winner Fujiko Rose

It was a hugely fun experience and that experience is what pushed me to actually do and sell fine art.

2018 Portrait Winner Samira Addo

This competition came at such a pivotal time for me and I'm so glad I took the leap! Every experience from the 4 hour challenges, to meeting my sitters, to working with the crew has been a pleasure. It's been great to be in an environment where there are artists from all walks of life, to see and learn how they work and even though it's a competition the general vibe is uplifting and supportive. I feel my work has actually developed throughout the process and it has given me confidence as well as great exposure.

2018 Landscape Winner Jen Gash

The whole process was just amazing – life changing to be honest.

2017 Portrait Winner Gareth Reid

I'd describe the past year as exciting, stressful, exhausting, affirming, and pure fun. The other artists and the crew are all so lovely that it`s a joy to take part in. They were very special days that will live long in the memory, and the impact that the exposure has had on my career has been huge. I wish I could do it all again but I have work to get on with!

2017 Landscape Winner Tom Voyce

Taking part in Landscape Artist of the Year was a wonderful experience. Having my work scrutinised by the judges was terrifying but also really rewarding. I was unsure about applying at first but the competition process was a challenging, fun and positive experience that teaches you so much about yourself and your artistic practice. I have really believed in myself as an artist since winning and the exposure that my work has received, combined with the opportunities I`ve been presented with have been fantastic. Now I have a growing number of solo shows and I`m exposing my art to a wider audience.

2016 Landscape Winner Richard Allen

Taking part in Landscape Artist of the Year was a truly exhilarating experience. The validation of winning, and having my work endorsed by the judges is, of course, humbling and gratifying. The exposure that my work has had and the opportunities I`ve been given since winning have been invaluable. For me, usually a solitary, private person; embracing that performance element to painting whilst talking about and demonstrating my process has afforded me insights about my art that I would otherwise never have had.

2015 Landscape Winner Nerine McIntyre

Winning the competition has had an amazing impact on my career as an artist. I`m so busy with painting and I have had a lot of commission work as a result of the programme. I also have my first solo exhibition planned for later this year.

2014 Portrait Winner Christian Hook

This is not a gimmicky programme. There is no humiliation or personal probing, just a real search for talent. Taking part was such a positive experience. It helps you to see the strengths and weaknesses of your own work. Aside from that, it is a really fun day and you are surrounded by like-minded people. This is a programme that is serious about unearthing talent and it gives you an amazing opportunity to get your work noticed by a wider audience.

2013 Landscape Winner Nick Lord

Since the show I`ve been presented with amazing opportunities; I`ve exhibited in my first solo show, as well as being commissioned by some of the most prestigious establishments in the U.K. Most importantly, Portrait Artist Of The Year gave me the beauty of time. This has allowed me to concentrate on developing my work, as well as furthering my artistic knowledge. As a result of this, I feel as though I`ve improved significantly as an artist.Is given me the confidence to focus on what I want to paint, helping me unlock my full potential as an artist.

Want to get involved?

Feeling inspired? You can get involved in either competition by applying to be a competitor or visit one of the events being filmed. You can find out more information about each competition on our Landscape Artist of the Year page or our Portrait Artist of the Year page. Please follow @SkyArts, Instagram, Facebook or join our mailing list to be kept informed of developments for both programmes.