Portrait Artist of the Year | Dublin | S01 E03 | Reel Truth Documentaries

Frank Skinner and Joan Bakewell take the competition to Dublin where 21 artists hope to wow the judges with portraits of Pauline McLynn, David Rawle and Lethal Bizzle.
Portrait Artist of the Year is a competition art show aiming to find the best portrait painter of the year.
Each episode features a regional competition and contestants are challenged to produce a portrait of one of three famous sitters.
As the competition goes on, three artists will remain, and these finalists will have their work displayed in the world-famous National Portrait Gallery in London. The winner eventually receives a $10,000 commission to become a permanent part of the British Library!
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[@moonju3695]

I like it when the judges say "he's really going for it, he knows what he's doing." Then the scene pans to the painter saying, "i dont really know what im doing" 😂😂

[@cheers2023]

Yes I love that 😄

[@gloomsdoom649]

British humor at it’s finest

[@jomc7425]

I think the biggest issue with this first series is the number of artists painting each sitter. 21 artists is too many. In later seasons, they have 3 artists per sitter so it's much easier to show everyone's work.

[@samaraisnt]

Yes. 60% of them were literally voiceless, why even feature them at that point? It's a bit disrespectful.

[@user-cv5by6wk1m]

The boy said "it has to please me." I like that line.

[@dr.frankenstein5421]

Bad editing of the shows. Skipping over other painting is disrespectful. I would have loved to see each artist and paintings.

[@snakemongoosepanther]

Yeah, probably just because it was the first season and the show was still evolving to what it is now with fewer artists per episode and an opportunity to see each one's work. I don't love the way these episodes are edited either.

[@ghettotonyvolcom]

Totally agree. "BUT LOOK HOW BIG THE CHAIRRRRR ISSSSS!!!!!" Meanwhile multiple artists don't even get their work shown. Almost feels like they preemptively pick out the winners given the backstory b roll and interviews.

[@gojewla]

@@ghettotonyvolcom that’s possible, but I am sure they shot tons of footage, and then edited it down. I doubt they don’t have footage of each painting.

[@everettwhite9874]

I agree with you. They went to several artists a few times, but not to other artists not even once. Instead of talking with Derek they should have chatted with a few other artists. Derek thought he was the $hht, but he was wasn’t $hht. Leave him at his studio next time.

[@dharmaofdog7676]

?! Frustrating not to see ALL of the Paintings? All of the focus on Derek was inappropriate. Clearly from the beginning he was a very emotional person struggling with the environment. Didn't find his upsets "entertaining".

[@tinderbox218]

He didn't either.

[@beakittelscherz5419]

To be fair: he applied. Got chosen. And maybe did not much the series very much? Bc you COULD really see there what was coming and what environment and pressure was coming your way.... So if he either was not honest to himself or did not train for the occasion either🤷

[@pauladouglas9891]

Derek really needs some therapy, he really has problems and can't even paint a portrait without putting himself in the picture. His submission self portrait was so weird, I think they picked him for dramatic effect.

[@Bunnykisses1000]

@@pauladouglas9891i got serial killer vibes from him…seemed unstable.😅😅

[@bodyofhope]

​@@Bunnykisses1000 I didn't get that vibe at all. I got a sense he's on the spectrum. Wearing sunglasses indoors due to sensory overload is a very common necessity in Autism Spectrum Disorder. He wasn't looking the interviewer in the eye, and seemed overwhelmed in the crowded loud environment. He's likely undiagnosed and hasn't had the benefit of all of the resources others may have had since childhood, so painting is his solace. Idk why they would have him on if they didn't understand his work. I think his paintings would fair much better in the states. PS, a serial killer is usually someone with Antisocial Personality Disorder, so they would not only blend in, they would likely seem like one of the loveliest most interesting people you were ever introduced to... part of the disguise.

[@acceptingWhatIS]

frustrating not to see all the finished paintings - one second air time for some lovely work it's dis respectful - loved the old format where the paintings were the main attraction.

[@iarah2939]

This is season 1 (so this is the old format) :)

[@juliemosley3814]

I agree with Kate. Old producers and editors were much better. Not nearly enough air time for the artists unless they like you. Way too much of the judges!

[@jenniferfleet6628]

I feel the same!

[@margaritah8675]

Yeah, we are lucky they improved in the next seasons!!

[@milksomecows]

As Iara H has said. This is Season 1. So I'm not sure which old format you are referring to.

[@YY-bk9bc]

Too much talking without giving much time to the process of hard work from artists, that's annoying and disrespectful, I totally understand the frustration of the artist who walked away. I like Maeve McCarthy's work, that's the master piece among all three.

[@cheers2023]

I can understand the constant interruptions are really annoying, but I think there is more going on there with him personally than just that.

[@anonnnymousthegreat]

I commend the sitters for actually sitting for hours for the artists.

[@GregoryPLoomis]

10:57 Dude shakes his head at the judge “Yea…yea..I get it…I painted the canvas red and there’s nothing else…ok!!!???”

[@amydalton8530]

Such an inspiring show. I love watching the portraits come to life!

[@aimeecreative]

Thank you so much for posting these!! It’s so hard to find the full episodes over here in the US

[@anknightowl]

derek is one of those mad geniuses that world will talk about later.....

[@a697ag]

I saw online that he passed away unexpectedly in 2016

[@donnadurant4000]

@@a697ag how

[@gabbywilliamson76]

@@a697ag i thought this was filmed this year?

[@Sambubdo]

Have to disagree there. His painting and personality are a bit of a mess

[@WanderlassS]

This is season 1. 2013

[@WanderlassS]

Wish they showcase also non winning artists like actually show us all of them ad they’ve time

[@lauracrowe8392]

It's probably terrible of me, but I get such a kick out of Joan's face at 37:07

[@jasonmilner379]

Derek's painting was brilliant. A portrait painting from the perspective of the reflection in the mirror? And to compose and compete that in 4 hours is amazing, should have made the top 3

[@adriangentle2953]

especially considering that the producers and judges were so keen to exploit his methods for the program.

[@amaraarcana7243]

Agreed! I commend him for walking out

[@musicaddict158]

Exactly. Imo he should’ve won

[@samaraisnt]

^1000% if they were about unique artistry. You couldn't ever see his portrait anywhere else, his work simply could not be replicated...meanwhile every other artist's work could have. They just used different art school technicques. What a snore!

[@reinadegrillos]

His work reminded me of Rouault's. It is a very strong and powerful pictoric language.

[@helloemily4727]

so excited to watch this!! one of my favorite shows now but hard to find!

[@333Judy333]

We saw a brief nano-second of a collage. What happened to that artist? Why didn't they show it?

[@samaraisnt]

Right!

[@bodyofhope]

I was excited to see it! What happened? 😕

[@amaraarcana7243]

I appreciated the artist who walked out.

[@graphicgraphites]

@@kartunland Considering they aren't paid for their time or materials, and the judges clearly don't favour expressionism... yeah he was correct to walk out.

[@moonju3695]

I did notice dat they did lean a bit more towards classical-esque artists, referring to the past two winners from ep 1 and 2 as well

[@mr.grumpy]

@@graphicgraphites His ego is not his amigo.

[@fatnsassy99]

@@mr.grumpy Ego? Who with an ego wears sunglasses, while painting. Or are on point of tears while being talked to? I believe he did a marvelous job! I also believe he was on the spectrum, either autistic or asperger's. Some ppl don't appreciate it when others give them attention, he was one of them 👍

[@monicafedel3307]

Anger issues? Mental issues? Wasn’t he aware it was a contest with other contenders?

[@TearCry08]

People in this comments complaining about other painting not recognized when this is the 1st season of this Show. I’ve watched the recent season and they able to recognized all the artists and their paintings..so they learned something from their previous seasons

[@kaberigomes2117]

This is the first season but the actual show is from 8 years ago. So they couldn't have seen the KZbin comments from 3 months ago(when the video was uploaded to KZbin) to make the changes in the past. They probably did it, after feedback from elsewhere.

[@gabbywilliamson76]

I think one of the other two would've been my pick

[@janelledelaney4428]

The judges drive me crazy. I've watched many of the Portrait and Landscape Artist episodes and it's easy to understand the artist walking out. I'm sure he was subjected to their smug attitudes.

[@1BJM]

Beautiful show

[@vaishnaviumrekar1824]

This episode - 3 amazing finalists.

[@samanthaa3564]

Thank you!

[@debrafischer807]

I enjoy watching...I paint, but not on this level. These artists are very inspiring. I don’t do portraits...when I tried...they were a disaster!

[@BlackKettleRanch]

I HATE this new format. You don't get to see the paintings. They need to go back to the old reveals where the poser gets to pick their painting. Then the judges go over each painting and you get to really see each painting. They ought to let the public vote on paintings, as well. I've had it with these judges, too. The show is really going down hill.

[@pif621]

This is the old format (it’s the first season). :)

[@SirSneakerPimp]

@@pif621 She is either from the past or the future…lol.

[@jomc7425]

As the episode is titled S01 E03, it gives the clue that this is from the first season in 2013.

[@emptymountain]

thanks

[@cynthiamarston2208]

Per self portraits im choosing the blue with red soulful eyes as winner today. I lobe to play! So here it goes

[@GoodMorningArtistPayetteArt]

beautiful show i love it

[@beakittelscherz5419]

Guys... next time turn around and wait until your model is seated😉Girls, do the same!

[@alanatolstad4824]

Oh my...highs and lows.

[@blackvulture7999]

Philip's painting reminds me of Home Alone somehow. :)

[@zoomcateldorado236]

I feel for Derrick. It is a bit exploitive and disrespectful of the artists. And this type of talking and noise while working can be quite debilitating. He worked hard and one judge keeps looking for a surprise, etc, He didn’t do the social expectations, but they did treat him like a volunteer and not an artist. There’s no excuse for doing these in these heavily sunlit rooms also.

[@Gayretardnationalpark]

I liked the Apcahe’s band sound but couldn’t find them online. Does anyone have a link to more of their music

[@whatisrealknowtheformula6137]

Disappointed with the choice of making the boy wear the hat. Places him in a very specific place in his life. In ten years, he may very well want to be remembered otherwise.

[@SuperTruten]

37;09 this painting is fantastic.

[@samaraisnt]

37:09

[@sharisayed3004]

I can understand the painter who walked away in a huff. The painting they had chosen in all the episodes really were quite simplistic, 2 dimensional and of very minimal colors. The critics seemed to think that broad strokes, trichromatic color blocking with monochrome background is the genius in the artworld right now.

[@AFAskygoddess]

I think his painting looked like a dog's dinner. Walking out in a huff made him look more like a petulant child than an adult artist.

[@ninjacow2200]

The Asian man had my favorite

[@zenkiea9663]

Absolutely! However they completely ignored him!

[@fatnsassy99]

Yes!! 👍

[@misterwilde1251]

Derek won in my eyes!

[@annap.5079]

Лучший художник ушел. Жаль что не выбрали его.

[@mellow5123]

Excellent. Correct winner.

[@Magz55]

Sad news - I looked up Derek and he died in 2016. :(

[@reshmamohan9007]

Hi, that's terrible to hear. Could you,please, tell what was the cause?

[@gogo-word]

Monochromatic painting is the first thing learned. Unfortunately I couldn't see where this primal technique had been taken to a higher level. Actually on this episode I didn't have a standout favorite.

[@lcdeyoung2755]

What was the name Of the artist who won this?

[@midorinaam1]

Spray painter nails it👏

[@aniszaghouani4320]

what is the name of the winning artist. THANKS

[@PaulaRodriguesdeSPaula]

Van Gogh is alive!

[@danielashbeck7638]

Oh, COME ON! 😡

[@mr.grumpy]

Agreed!

[@SelinaLPS100]

The host is so awkward lol

[@gojewla]

Is his name “lethal beetle”???

[@krassimirtzvetanov7925]

Promoting anty art. Changing the human perspective of Art.

[@PaulaRodriguesdeSPaula]

What a mess! I can't understand how many painters actually are participating they show us 9 but at the end we see the others, it's disrespectful. All this blabla about the background and putting the sitters (that are not professional ones) in a very uncomfortable pose for hours... And the judges a lot of times have a cuestionable taste, this time I like there choices.

[@startpage717]

Again! when this artist was sitting with the blue I knew she won...! And I was correct also...They are getting it right as judges...

[@perejo1]

The wrong artist won

[@Jigger2361]

...Derek needs to put his Big Boy Pants on... took his ball and went home, how embarrassing

[@amaraarcana7243]

Actually it’s AWESOME that he walked out.

[@dr.frankenstein5421]

I enjoyed the look on the judges faces when he walked out.

[@debrafischer807]

I really liked his painting, but he disappointed me with his attitude. Why did he compete...he knew there was a chance he could lose...so full of himself that he felt he was above everyone. He better stay in his home and not compete.

[@danilude]

Bad attitude, disrespectful

[@dharmaofdog7676]

Derek was CLEARLY struggling with mental challenges. Show a bit more tolerance and compassion.

[@stalkingcrane]

Derek did himself, as an artist for hire, a disservice by having an ungracious and public mini tantrum. He apparently had expectations out of line with reality. He had just as much of a chance to win as anyone else. I would not want to hire him as an artist to do my portrait even if I liked his approach (and I don’t) as he would not be relaxing or likely even pleasant to deal with if his painting wasn’t going well, or the environment didn’t suit him, or whatever else he could find to be irritated about. Otherwise it’s a brilliant show. It improves with each season. One gets to see more of the paintings with less participants. For me it’s very much about the paintings and listening to the very talented artists talk about their process.

[@kape6188]

I agree that interrupting an artist can weaken their performance and that its disrespectful to not show everyones' work but the guys attitude was like a child throwing a temper tantrum. He had an idea however small it was as to what he should expect. It's not for everyone and if its not for you, stay your behind at home if you know you're going to be a toddler if it doesn't work in your favor.

[@graphiquejack]

the guy was clearly dealing with some mental challenges. I both felt sorry for him and was a little frightened of him. Apparently he's passed away. Let's have a little empathy for a guy who probably found it very stressful and difficult in that situation.

[@jrpellerin]

Just noticed that this is too racist to think, those two Asian painters were not even featured all through the video. What's the matter?

[@Baronstone]

Sorry but they picked one of the absolute worst paintings

[@coreyscott9590]

Watching this, I think what often was being judged was not merely the artistic product, nor the process, but rather the artistic 'persona'. The artists' portrayal of their "selves" as artists, and not their art was what was being scrutinized. Each was being challenged to "charm" for external validation. I can't say I'm much of a fan of that focus on the maker rather than what was being made. Neither was Derek Cummins. This is as much a beauty pagent seeking new "darlings" as it is a search for competent craftspeople.

[@fandbwelch3768]

@@coreyscott9590 unfortunately, that’s kind of how the art world works. The artist has to sell themselves as much as their work.

[@kihntagious]

is this a novice site? Relax and enjoy

[@pjlewisful]

Derick was the worst in my opinion.

[@fatnsassy99]

So many ppl don't like ppl with autism or asperger's. Your opinion shows more about yourself then of derrick.

[@danilude]

Dereck has huge ego problems, he surely thinks he is better than the rest of painters, so disrespectful

[@dharmaofdog7676]

Derek clearly had mental challenges. Cut the Guy a break.

[@janel4582]

@@dharmaofdog7676 I think he died. I was looking him up and I believe he died suddenly in 2016.

[@williamsweeney7954]

@@janel4582 , was kinda wondering whatever happened to him.

[@samaraisnt]

No, he just wants his time respected, like everyone else.

[@Sambubdo]

Derek was horrible, egotistical and overall a hot mess

[@dharmaofdog7676]

Derek was clearly struggling with personal challenges. I'm surprised that many people couldn't see that and perhaps be a bit more compassionate. The focus on him was inappropriate & far from "entertaining".