The Great Painting Challenge

A very disappointing finish. Boats of any kind are notoriously difficult to paint, even a simple rowing boat. The chap who won it did very well to tackle a tall ship and get it looking anything close to right, but to be fair, he had very little competition. They all looked as if they were going to cry at one point! I hope they don’t bring the series back.

I am keen on art and found this programme very disappointing for many of the reasons already aired. I do not think they will be doing another as must have had so much negative feed back.

This series is nowhere as good as Sky Arts Landscape Painter of the year and my favourite, Portrait Artist of the Year. The standard of the BBC series this year was ridiculously low. How did they select the artists? You could go into any art class or art society meeting and find more capable amateurs. Surely, if this is meant to be the selection of the best amateur artist it should reflect that. Also, we want to see something stimulating and informative. I am sure these amateurs got something out of it but those exercises intended to loosen up, observe etc were the type of thing taught in the art colleges but needed to be practised on a regular basis. Then when the mentors instructed a couple of them to stop painting or they would spoil the work Lachlan said they should have done more. When one of them had the nerve to say he had been told to stop Lachlan said you should have taken no notice “you are the boss”. Confusion I should say.

* Also on the one hand they ask the artist to develop their own style but when they did they were criticised*

That about sums it up really.

Their individual styles (as evidenced by the examples of their work pre-competition) were excellent and interesting (in the main - a few notable exceptions) but they were dragged away from this at every turn. But also told to print their personality on their paintings. Ridiculous.

I also liked Oliver's painting the best. Also I am not an artist but I've liked all of Anil's and I don't really understand why none of the experts liked any of his paintings.

I have enjoyed watching this series but like others found some of the judges comments odd and some of the masterclasses didn't see that helpful. Also on the one hand they ask the artist to develop their own style but when they did they were criticised.
It would be interesting to hear what the painters really think about the competition, if they ate still painting (I hope they all are) and if they think their painting has improved because of the coaching.

Oliver certainly did better on the day.
It's been a very odd series all round.

I loved watercolour challenge and hoped this would be similar , but its been awful.
I'm not specially gifted but I could have made a better job of most subjects as I imagine most amateurs would have .
I did like the winners final painting though .

Oliver had to be the winner on tonight’s performance. I thought the judges seemed a little kinder this week and wonder if they’d been told to be nicer. I too would like to see them painting the same topics - against the clock. Quite pleased its over really. I had hoped to gain some tips but didn’t.

Afraid I wasn’t keen on any of them although Anil and Oliver were the best of a poor bunch unfortunately the lady critic has quite obviously never liked Anils painting nor did Pascal so I guessed he wouldn’t stand a chance
Quite glad it’s over really very uninspiring all round

I am so pleased that Oliver won! I really liked his final painting.

I would love to see them throwing the paint at the so called experts

I think the challenges they have been set have been extremely difficult and many accomplished artists would find it difficult. Some of these amateur artists have not painted from life, let alone movement. Perhaps the tutors should be painting alongside them & see how they manage! I do agree that it would be better if all the artists stayed until the end and everything they have done could be assessed.

I would love it if the two judges, and the two mentors had to also do the final challenge - so that we, and the contestants, could see and learn how it could be done.

Oh my word these pics last night make mine look like masterpieces
I agree the only one worth looking at was the one that got the public vote The two that went were abysmal and the ones that stayed were no better Chis s the young man with poor eyesight had no resemblance to people at all the young lads was awful with bright orange background silhouette figures and purple swirls Anils had numerous legs
oh my goodness shockingly bad

They seem to be getting worse instead of better, but I do think the projects they've been given this time are much harder.

I think Oliver deserved to win because his figures were so lifelike. But it did look a bit like an illustration you would see in a magazine and didn't seem to have a style that you could identify as his alone. I think the judges' remarks were unnecessarily cutting though.

I'd be surprised if there is another series because this one has been very disappointing.

I think this has been the worst series of this programme that I can remember. I think the two who went last night must have actually been relieved - I would have been. When the contestants try and put into place some of the techniques the mentors had taught them, the judges slate them cruelly. Someone ought to send the judges home - they are the ones without soul. I hope after this series they don’t bring it back again.

That poor young man. It was the only good painting and he was so proud of it. No soul indeed! Thank goodness the ignorant sports coaches recognised it as easily the best.

I too wish they could all stay in until the end as they all have different painting styles and it would be good to see how each progressed. I really didn’t like the way they were all slated this week. Not nice. Especially when the judges own style of painting is so not what a lot of people appreciate. And as for that counting slowly to ten before announcing the winner/looser thing. It really gets to me and is why I don’t watch Strictly.

What a farce this week's episode was!

The only really decent picture was the one that got the public vote - and the judges slated it!!! - for no good reason that I could discern. It was excellent.

As for the other pics - words fail me! Two of them had not a clue and just painted blobs with a few swirls to indicate movement. Absolute rubbish. And one of those is through to the final!!!

The standard this year is so low it is hardly worth watching.

Sorry welshwife not *whitewash*.
I too preferred watercolour challenge.

Funnily enough whitewash that's just what I was saying to a friend today. The programme would be so much better if they all stayed in until the end so we could see how they progressed with the coaching. Then if they want to make it into. Competition they could have a winner on the last show. I think too many programmes now feel they have to follow the 'bake off ' formula which is a shame.

My OH and I count seconds during the pregnant pause....."And the person who will be leaving us this week is......." This format is so hackneyed.

I also have to say that the way Frostrup flirts with Richard Coles is laughable - especially as he is gay!

Yes I am quite cynical these days about "reality" programmes that are not in fact what they seem and presenters are heavily scripted. Jane10 am sure you're right - it's all about entertainment.

Jane10 I suspect it's the same with the cookery programmes when they are trying to beat the clock.

Gosh that's interesting about the time (lack of) constraint sparklefizz!