PORTRAIT ARTIST OF THE YEAR RETURNS TO SKY ARTS, CELEBRITY LINE-UP REVEALED

Palettes prepped and canvases primed, the 11th series of Portrait Artist of the Year is ready to make a splash on Sky Arts, Freeview and NOW.  The nation’s favourite art competition returns to the iconic Battersea Arts Centre for its eleventh series on Wednesday 16th October with much-loved host Stephen Mangan.

This year’s Portrait Artist of the Year promises a thrilling showcase of talent as aspiring artists from across the UK vie for the coveted 2024 title. With celebrity sitters spanning the worlds of stage, screen, sport, literature, and politics, the competition is set to be as dynamic as ever.

Over eight intense heats, these artists will put their skills to the test, aiming to dazzle our expert judges—Tai Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano, and Kate Bryan—and prove they have what it takes to capture the essence of their famous subjects.

Taking the famous sitter’s chair this year are: Hannah Waddingham (Actor) , Richard Madeley (TV Presenter), Saskia Reeves (Actor), Cush Jumbo (Actor), Baaba Maal (Musician), Carly Paoli (Musician), Dan Snow, (TV Presenter).

Plus Layton Williams (Performer), Steven Frayne/Dynamo (Magician), Rosie Jones (Comedian), Linton Kewsi Jonhson (Poet), Andy Cole (Sports Personality), Lucy Worsley (Historian), Ricky Hatton (Sports Personality), Musa Motha (Dancer), Jill Scott (Sports Personality), Jimi Famurewa (Food Critic).

Also Heather Mills (Activist), Kevin McCloud (Designer / TV Presenter), Martha Kearney (Presenter), Rebecca Taylor/Self-Esteem (Musician), Emma Thynn (Marchioness of Bath), Dr Karan Rajan (Public Health Advocate).

The heat winners will advance to the semi-final, where they’ll face the thrilling challenge of painting acclaimed actress Joely Richardson. But the real showdown awaits in the grand finale, where the top three finalists will battle for the title by capturing the essence of one of Britain's most iconic acting duos, Andy Serkis and Lorraine Ashbourne. It’s a high-stakes race to the finish, with artistry, passion, and prestige on the line!

This year’s winner will receive a £10,000 commission to create a portrait of renowned broadcaster Lorraine Kelly, which will be exhibited at the National Galleries Scotland.

Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts, said: “Series 11 of Portrait Artist of the Year returns to Sky Arts this autumn, with more incredible artists and celebrity sitters than ever. We are immensely proud of the impact this series has for artists in the real world. Our judges Kate Bryan, Kathleen Soriano and Tai Shan Schierenberg never fail to discover brilliant new talent whose work proudly hangs in some of the major art galleries in the country.”

Chairman of Storyvault Films, Stuart Prebble said:  "Series 11?   Wow.   How did that come around so soon?  And yet the properly wonderful thing about working with all these immensely talented artists is that they constantly surprise you, so that what happens in every show is always fresh and never predictable...  

"And watching these household name celebrity sitters interacting with their artists, giving of themselves, rooting for them to do their best work, is compelling and inspiring.  There’s something about watching genuine creativity in motion – faces and images coming to life before your eyes - which is a little piece of magic every time.” 

Portrait Artist of the Year is commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts. The Commissioning Editor for Sky is Benedetta Pinelli. Portrait Artist of the Year is produced by Storyvault Films.