Portrait artist of the year. New series 8pm We’d 9 Oct Sky Arts (11 or 36)

I only watch a few of the episodes, and caught the semi, and the final episode. I was equally shocked with the final choice of ?Brophy as the winner. I did not agree that he was the best of the three finalists.
The woman's work was so lovely, and I thought she totally deserved the commission. Her portrait of her friend, as part of the final, was stunningly beautiful.
I did not like the portrait of Brophy's partner, I don't like pictures of people where a view of the crotch - albeit clothed - is on display. Lucian Freud did that style so much better.
I decided not to watch the winner commission episode.

I've just rewatched the unveiling .
I didn't like Brophy's portrait of Joely R and I wouldn't have chosen him .
On reflection, I do quite like it -shades of Freud (who influenced him ) .
If I wanted a portrait of myself-I would have chosen Jennifer .
I understand the criteria of the judges-they want something new .

It’s free to view on either channel 11 or 36 but you can’t access catchup if not subscribed. It’s usually repeated the following day. They’re currently re showing a lot of previous programmes of both the portrait one and the landscape one, too. I tend to have Sky Arts on throughout the night if there’s nothing on BBC4. Currently enjoying the programmes about the creation of the new Nutcracker ballet which is on Monday nights and also Gyles Brandreths History of Pantomime.

I used to love this programme but we no longer have Sky - does anyone know if I can stream it from anywhere else?

Ah, I've seen it then.
She looks as if she's been beaten up in it!

That painting of Lorraine was awful.

I agree that the winner of the final was not the best.The judges seem to pick the worst not the best.I feel they should change the judges- it’s meant to be a portrait,and therefore should be a good likeness of the sitter,not a crude caricature.

MayBee70

It was better than I expected. But would I know it was Lorraine if I saw it in a gallery with no name attached? I don’t think I would.

It looked more like Fiona Bruce than Lorraine Kelly to me, and that was stretching my imagination somewhat !

I just feel sorry for Lorraine Kelly, she could have had such a lovely portrait.

It was better than I expected. But would I know it was Lorraine if I saw it in a gallery with no name attached? I don’t think I would.

To be fair I have just seen his final portrait for the commission and it was good - different, but good.

I would still have chosen others.

pascal30

Luckygirl3

It seems crazy... the female finalist produced totally beautiful portraits that were quite exceptional ... to be pased over for the crude attempts of the winner seems mad.

similar reaction to the audience response when Roger Fry brought the first Post Modernist Exhibition to The Grafton Galleries in London in 1910.. artists were Van Goch, Cezanne and Matisse amongst others...

That may be the case, but as far as portraiture goes, many of their works, particularly Matisse, were recognisable as non-offensive portraits and although some may have been considered crude in their composition - they were not deliberately grotesque or cartoon like.

Their conceptual art is a different thing - all conceptual art provokes a whole range of reactions and personally, much as the heathen I no doubt am when it comes to art, I don't appreciate the "shock" factor when it comes to portraiture.

Luckygirl3

It seems crazy... the female finalist produced totally beautiful portraits that were quite exceptional ... to be pased over for the crude attempts of the winner seems mad.

similar reaction to the audience response when Roger Fry brought the first Post Modernist Exhibition to The Grafton Galleries in London in 1910.. artists were Van Goch, Cezanne and Matisse amongst others...

As soon as he made it to the final I thought that he would be the judges winner, they now often seem to pick the worst of the bunch (do you remember the Lenny Henry Painting!!) and sure enough despite giving another very poor likeness he was chosen. He reckons a likeness is not important.
The lady did much better portraits through the series. Not going to bother watching the commission episode.

It seems crazy... the female finalist produced totally beautiful portraits that were quite exceptional ... to be pased over for the crude attempts of the winner seems mad.

Just watched the final on catchup. What a ridiculous choice of winner.

I'm none the wiser.

Was it a portrait of Lorraine that won?
Wee Lorraine from breakfast TV?

I want to find a picture of the winner, seeing as I've missed the programme.

. Just seen the commission. The coat was a good choice . He obviously enjoyed painting the legs more than Lorraine’s face. She looks really severe. Where is her a warm personality? He could have really made something of the dog rather than a bundle of fur. A little face could have significance as he means so much to Lorraine. He had a pleasant personality and Lorraine wanted him to do well.

It’ll be interesting to hear what Lorraine says about the portrait if they mention it next time she’s on The Last Leg. Rory Stewart was very uncomplimentary about the portrait of him that was chosen.

sassenach512

Omg I've just seen the portrait of Lorraine Kelly, although my DH thinks it looks more like Fiona Bruce What's with the red knees and pile of pink sausages (fingers) in her lap? and then there's the dog's bum??? I think this world is leaving me behind

I’m assuming her dog is a Miniature Schnauzer because my daughter has one. Much as I adore my granddog I do not like her bottom; with them having curly tails there’s too much bottom exposed! It would have been much nicer to have the dogs little head peeking out shyly. Even Lucien Freud, to my knowledge, never painted his whippets in an unpleasant way. I thought the coat was a great choice. I think the judges do seem to try to pair the artist with someone that suits them personality wise. There is no way that this years winning artist would have gelled with last years sitter or that she would have welcomed the finished product.

Omg I've just seen the portrait of Lorraine Kelly, although my DH thinks it looks more like Fiona Bruce What's with the red knees and pile of pink sausages (fingers) in her lap? and then there's the dog's bum??? I think this world is leaving me behind

I don't think we needed to see so much of Lorraine's legs. They looked huge and they are not.

So many of this year's artists would have done a much better painting imo.

I think the winners work was absolutely awful throughout.

Saw the final and once more they have reverted to the ridiculous when they chose this year’s winner. This is supposed to be a portrait competition . Surely then it should be possible to recognise the subjects. Last night the result showed a clown and a grotesque characature of his wife. When Tai was heard to say he had trouble with the likeness of the wife it must be the understatement of the year.The judges appear to be led by that blonde curator. As for the curator of the art gallery where it was going to hung, who was supposed to be part of the judging, well I am gob smacked. This young artist had painted his girl friend which was fine if you can ignore the grotesque foreshortening of the legs. although nowhere as good as the woman artist who painted her sister. We will look at the commission of Lorraine Kelly tonight and hope things will improve for the sake of my blood pressure.

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