New series of Portrait Artist of the Year

Jonathan Yeo paints with red. Perhaps that influenced him?. I hope not.

I remember going to an exhibition of Jonathan Yeo’s paintings and absolutely loving them. Remember buying a book of his work. I am tempted to think the judges are afraid to elect an artist that is just really good if they are representational in case they are thought to be too traditional and not “with it”.

It’s gone back to how it was before ie the judges choosing the worst possible likeness. Thai (sp) the judge that’s now left, has got an exhibition on at the moment which is on instagram. On it there’s a self portrait in which he looks just like himself. And yet, when he was a judge they were always choosing the portraits that ‘hadn’t captured a likeness’ but that doesn’t matter (???). I don’t understand it. Of the three they chose at the end only one of them was imo good enough to go through to the next round but, of course, they didn’t choose it.

I agree with Lovetopaint037 about last night's winner. I thought it was awful. What a disappointment to the sitter it would be if the overall winner's commission was in that style. I hope somebody else is the winner.

Agree MayBee. We always felt that the curator in the last team of judges had too much influence on the others. This time it seems that Eva Langret had a lot to say as she eulogised about the winner. Oh! Dear. I do hope it is not going to be a repeat of a few years ago when it looked as if the judges had lost their eyesights. They then seemed to have a turnabout and started selecting worthy winners. Of course we can’t all agree as art is subjective but really some common sense should be displayed. Is there anyone on gransnet who has a different opinion and can help us understand?

I thought the winning painting suited the sitter who was into dream stuff so it was a good choice. But he can't churn out the same style every time. He will have to adapt for the semi final.

Thank you Luckygirl. It was the repetition of the initial submission which amazed me.

Meant initial style that had been submitted before.

A wonderful programme ,but I thought that the winner was not a good choice .
I was disappointed .
Art is subjective though.