Portrait Artist of the Year has become a favourite for viewers who enjoy art, creativity and stories behind the people on the canvas. Each episode brings talented artists together and challenges them to capture a well-known sitter in just a few hours. It is not simply about producing a good likeness; artists must also find ways to show personality, mood and character through their work. Over the years, the programme has introduced audiences to exciting new talent and a wide range of painting styles. The 2026 series promises a fresh start, with new judges, familiar presenter Stephen Mangan and plenty of creative challenges.
Portrait Artist of the Year 2026: Judges, Presenters and Celebrity Sitters
The 2026 edition is Series 13 and is scheduled to begin on 7 October 2026 on Sky Arts and NOW. It introduces the first completely refreshed judging panel in the programme’s history, while Stephen Mangan returns as presenter. The new panel consists of portrait painter Jonathan Yeo, Frieze Director of EMEA Eva Langret and art historian, curator and broadcaster Katy Hessel.
Jonathan Yeo brings extensive experience as a professional portrait painter, with subjects including major public figures. Eva Langret adds experience from the contemporary art world through her work with Frieze. Katy Hessel brings expertise in art history, curation and broadcasting, alongside her work highlighting artists who have often received less attention. Their different backgrounds mean the 2026 judging panel combines practical portrait experience with contemporary art and historical perspectives.
The celebrity sitter line-up is also broad. Announced names include Louis Theroux, Vanessa Williams, Rylan Clark, Sheridan Smith, Joanna Scanlan, Dexter Fletcher, Lennie James, Yalda Hakim, Grace Dent, Deborah Meaden, Jung Chang and many others. Daniel Francis and Ruth Gemmell are scheduled for the semi-final, while Heston Blumenthal will sit for the final. The eventual winner will receive the opportunity to paint Damian Lewis for the National Portrait Gallery.
Tickets, Watching the Show and How the Competition Works
Interest in tickets often increases when filming takes place, especially because viewers can watch artists work while the competition develops in real time. Audience ticket information can change from one series to another, so viewers should check the latest official announcements before making plans. The 2026 series will also give fans the chance to follow the competition from home as the artists face new creative challenges.
Key details about the 2026 series include:
- Start date: 7 October 2026
- Broadcasters: Sky Arts and NOW
- Series length: 12 episodes
- Presenter: Stephen Mangan
- Judges: Jonathan Yeo, Eva Langret and Katy Hessel
- Filming location: Battersea Arts Centre
The competition itself begins with artists submitting a self-portrait for consideration. Those selected move into the heats, where they have four hours to paint a surprise celebrity sitter. Successful artists progress to the semi-final, followed by a three-artist final where the overall winner is chosen. The Series 13 application period has now closed, so future applicants should follow the official competition guidance when the next entry window opens
Winners from Season 1 to Season 12
The history of the programme is an important part of its appeal. The early seasons established the format and gave artists a national television platform. Nick Lord was the Series 1 winner, while later winners included artists such as Christian Hook, Gareth Reid, Samira Addo, Duncan Shoosmith and Curtis Holder. Looking through the winners across different seasons shows how varied successful portrait styles can be.
The later seasons continued to introduce different artists and approaches. The competition has included highly detailed paintings, expressive portraits and works that place strong emphasis on colour or composition. Winning therefore does not depend on following one fixed visual formula. Instead, contestants need to make convincing artistic choices while working quickly and responding to the particular personality and appearance of the sitter.
The most recent completed series before 2026 was Series 12. Its official archive records Chloe Barnes as the overall winner, after the final in which Katie Jones, Chloe Barnes and Lauren Ross competed. Series 12 also featured many individual heat winners, including Edie Bound, Paulina Kwietniewska, Katie Jones, Chloe Barnes, Lauren Ross, Uthman Wahaab, Vincent Stokes and Courtney Bae.
Season 1, Season 11 and the Development of the Series
Season 1 is particularly useful for viewers who want to understand where the programme started. The early format placed artists under time pressure and asked them to create portraits of public figures. The concept made the creative process visible rather than presenting art only as a finished product. This helped establish the programme’s identity and created a format that could be followed even by viewers without formal art training.
Over the following seasons, the competition developed a substantial archive of contestants, celebrity sitters and finished portraits. The judges and presenters changed, but the central challenge remained focused on observing a sitter and creating a compelling portrait within a limited period. This continuity allowed the programme to retain its identity while giving each new series a different group of artists and personalities.
Season 11 aired in 2024 and provides a useful example of the established format. The official archive records Brogan Bertie as the overall Series 11 winner, with Jennifer Anderson and Paul Lee also reaching the final. Andy Serkis and Lorraine Ashbourne were the final sitters. This is different from the individual heat winners shown elsewhere in the archive, which is why it is important to distinguish between a heat winner and the overall series winner.
Portrait Artist of the Year Australia, Benefits and Viewer Interest
Searches for Portrait Artist of the Year Australia can be confusing because the programme discussed here is the British Sky Arts production. Australian viewers may be searching for information about watching the UK series, while others may be looking for a similarly named local programme. Checking the broadcaster, presenter, judges and series number is therefore useful when identifying the exact programme appearing in search results.
There are several reasons the show attracts viewers. It offers an accessible introduction to portrait painting while showing artists working under genuine time pressure. Beginners can observe how contestants establish facial proportions, choose colours and simplify complex features. More experienced artists can also study how different contestants manage their limited time and decide which parts of a portrait deserve the greatest attention.
The competition can also provide professional opportunities for artists. Series 13 offered the chance to win a £10,000 commission for a major British institution, together with £500 of art materials from Cass Art, although the application deadline has now passed. Previous winners have also gained exposure through television appearances and commissions. These opportunities help explain why the programme attracts both emerging and established artists.
Why the Programme Remains Popular
One of the strongest features of the format is that viewers see the artistic process develop from a blank canvas or board into a finished portrait. This creates a clear visual story within each episode. Artists have to make decisions quickly, often while being watched by cameras and surrounded by other contestants. The pressure can reveal very different working habits and painting techniques.
The celebrity sitter also gives each episode its own identity. A sitter’s face, personality, clothing and posture can influence the direction of a painting. Some artists may concentrate on accurate facial structure, while others try to communicate character through colour, gesture or brushwork. Because contestants can interpret the same challenge differently, the final paintings often look very different from one another.
The 2026 series provides another reason for long-term viewers to follow the competition. Stephen Mangan remains as presenter, but Jonathan Yeo, Eva Langret and Katy Hessel form an entirely new judging panel. The series also introduces another group of celebrity sitters and gives its eventual winner the chance to paint Damian Lewis for the National Portrait Gallery.
(FAQs)
Is there going to be a 2026 series?
Yes. Series 13 begins on 7 October 2026 on Sky Arts and NOW.
Has Kate Bryan left the show?
Kate Bryan is not part of the Series 13 judging panel, which includes Jonathan Yeo, Eva Langret and Katy Hessel.
Will there be a Season 12?
Season 12 already aired in 2025, before the upcoming Series 13 in 2026.
Where can I watch the 2026 series?
The 2026 series will air weekly on Sky Arts and NOW from 7 October 2026.
Who are the judges in 2026?
The new judging panel consists of Jonathan Yeo, Eva Langret and Katy Hessel.
Conclusion
Portrait Artist of the Year has made portrait painting more exciting and accessible for viewers across the UK. The programme gives talented artists a chance to work under pressure, meet well-known sitters and show how they bring a person’s character to life on canvas. The upcoming 2026 series adds fresh energy with a new judging panel, while Stephen Mangan continues as presenter. With Series 13 starting on 7 October 2026 on Sky Arts and NOW, fans have another chance to follow new artists and creative challenges. For anyone who enjoys art, competition and inspiring stories, the new series offers plenty to look forward to.
