Portrait Artist of the Year | Paris | S01 E05 | Reel Truth Documentaries

The penultimate stage of the competition takes the four finalists to the French Capital, where they have six hours to paint author and model Sophie Dahl.
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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[@rodrigocastillo204]

This is absolutely fantastic. I love watching it chapter by chapter. This is the very beginning of my favorite show on the tv ❤️

[@californiaclaire8558]

Yikes! The one portrait I like the most got the judges all weird. Art is so subjective and I really dislike the "experts" putting doubts and stealing confidence from these people. I like to see the paintings but I can do without the drama queens of the art world.

[@laurawgarts]

I feel the same. I don't like to see "the experts" stealing their confidence. All of the artists did beautiful work and brought their own uniqueness.

[@imadielariel3109]

I did not feel the judges had a lot of depth or inspiring vision in their comments, in fact they annoyed me, and I am a painter. So am disappointed and what a load to put on these people but they were great and took it all in stride. Very talented bunch. I enjoyed seeing how they progressed.

[@ranirathi3379]

i think this one factor worked out very well in van gogh's favor. he was so far removed and isolated, lonely and his style was not "influenced" or "imbibe likeness from" the many contemporaries he had. blessing in disguise.

[@relocatetoItaly]

Indeed couldn't agree more

[@frances3254]

What a treat seeing these artists at 'work'. Each so unique and so very inspiring! Thank you so much. PS hoping 'Landscape Artists' will return.

[@njmccormackgmail]

It will, judges have been posting photos in location recently.

[@johnlogan3908]

After being picked from thousands because of their own personal style, they're sent off to incorporate another's art into their own. Seems like the show took a left at the bakery....disappointing....

[@jillsmiley7701]

Joan can lighten things up. Much needed

[@atokea77777]

J adore cette version de la serie, aller peindre dans les capitales, regarder chaque artiste de plus près, c est tres riche en infos et en emotions, et tres convivial ! Super !👍💗

[@dakotaoverstreet674]

Great way to spend my lunch thank you!!

[@mountainpeakcloud8442]

I see a lot of people in the comments being critical of the judges criticism, and all I have say is, people should sit in on an MFA critique some time... the level of criticism on this show is so gentle. The criticism we got at are school could be very brutal, making you question everything you've done, but that's precisely the point... you can't make a diamond without some pressure, and great painters aren't made as a result of constantly being congratulated... sometimes painters need to question everything they've done, to be able to decide where they want to go.. it's makes you a stronger painter.

[@samanthaa3564]

Thank you for posting!

[@rugbybubblebryce1958]

Slightly amazed at the comments about the judges. It's a time pressured TV show, probably 8 to 10hours a day recording video and audio, condensed into 45min. Everything we see is edited down to create whatever look the "show" wants to portray. It's hardly everything that is said. I would guess that each artist has been given heaps of amazing advice from the three professionals in different art fields, or, "judges." They know what is out in the world at present, what styles are repeated over and over and what they see has hints of something different. I think at least two of these artists paid attention to what is old, what is modern, what made older paintings modern at the time and is still admired and studied today. To receive insights about light, background, composition and or a tunnel visioned style, is probably a step towards making a difference from a hobby/professional painter, to a person who paints in their style and slowly extends and pushes comfortable boundaries. That's when any professional stands out from other professionals in their field. It's why space is created to show their work in galleries and the art world in general, locally and internationally. Their art matures. Let's keep it real though... they are massively posh and English :)

[@lechatbotte.]

I still feel that the best to critique an artist is another artist. Ty is the only one who’s opinion matters.

[@kristinawalla]

but if u look up images of his work on the internet, most of it is so boring; alot of bravado with the paint but not very moving & in need of some soul ,is my feeling. Having won alot of awards doesn't make him a worthy judge.

[@lechatbotte.]

@@kristinawalla my comment has zip to do this his awards. He’s actually done the work so his critique is from an artists point of view. Being a curator nope. This is actually like going to the dog shows lots of politics etc. the museums where the portraits will hang have expressed what they want you have to paint something to please them.

[@kristinawalla]

@@lechatbotte. What you're saying reminds me of Greta Gerwig's movie Little Women. She's saying in it that the writer had to make the main character get married to please the publisher and the apetite of the majority of readers, or her book would not have gotten published .

[@gogo-word]

Do you feel you could have done more? Do you feel its finished? Questions of this type are negative to the painter. It would be best to judge the works without subjecting the artists with insensitive prodding. Still I am pleased that there are art shows being produced.

[@DS-ky9dl]

I didn't like the fact that they wanted to see how the artist 'progressed'. They got there on their abilities and did not need to 'progress'. Their style is already set.

[@KristineMaitland]

Ewan reminds me of Jesse Eisenberg.

[@nj5023]

Stop being so inside the lines judges. Art is *supposed to* make you feel things. Having said that, I’m loving the series. :)

[@katehenry2718]

"Progressed" seems to mean change who you are, what you see and what you do. It mean continuation with improvement...develop the skill you already have without trying to be someone else. That makes frustration and disappointment. Twisting your own work to make a fake somebody else should not be the direction of the program.

[@moonpie2866]

Oh, how I wish the closed-captioning was enabled on these videos. I have no idea what anyone is saying.

[@mountainpeakcloud8442]

I thought this was Nick's strongest painting up to this point. The critique of his paintings of all the girls with tattoos was spot on, they were way too reliant on the motif for interest, and felt cheesy. This painting really allowed for the process to do the talking, and the sparseness added a much needed tension to the marks on the surface. Nick seems to have a need to over-articulate the representation, which kids of suffocates the looseness of the marks, and I'm glad that he retained the looseness here, and hope he does so in future paintings, and doesn't over work them.

[@nickyhomann9071]

To me Nick's work lives in the realm of illustration- it's also generally not recommended to produce a highly detailed drawing then "colour in" ... the way the English guy works is very difficult to pull off... would be very interesting to see how he developed in time- also like the fact that he's doing for his own exploration rather than focusing on the finished product. Salina has a lovely delicate restrained quality & Ewans work is very "juicy"

[@DL-by8el]

As I have been in the past I am disappointed in the judges. Not with who they picked as a winner but that they had the young lady in the short list. Her portrait looked like her not the sitter. Jack should have been in the top 3. I agree that he was done at 1 hour but he rocked.

[@Watkinsstudio]

I feel sorry for Ewan, who seems extremely uncomfortable and out of place every place I've seen him on this show. The absurd "advice" given him by the judges couldn't have helped.

[@n_vibgyor]

looks like, Prince Harry also competing...!

[@jamestownsend6350]

The chivalrous witness systemically include because yew inherently pinch till a expensive cable. pretty, clever wood

[@raysville7256]

The advice given to the artists was ill-advised, instead of concentrating on their strengths, they became more than a bit self-conscious.

[@gabbywilliamson76]

I agree

[@liianabanana6320]

Agree

[@andreaandrea6716]

I'll never understand one person ADVISING another in how their creativity should progress! I intuitively avoided Art school for this very reason. I may be terrible at drawing/painting, which is my own fault for not practicing more, but at least WHAT I DO, is MINE and doesn't come from having studied someone else (except that EVERY creative, unconsciously or consciously, steals from EVERYWHERE. There. I have just contradicted myself).

[@larky368]

Frankly I was disappointed with most of these and I think the reason was because they were trying to paint according to the suggestions of the judges.

[@gardenplots283]

Had I been one of the artists I would have been questioning if the judges were telling me without saying it that my portrait of the sitter should be done in the style of the artist they directed me to and if it wasn't would I be getting marked down during the final judging?

[@DL-by8el]

I wish we could have given seen what the would have done had they not had been trying to follow the judges that agreed they gave them bad advice.

[@gabbywilliamson76]

Basically the judges criticism and suggestions made the artist's that were secure in their skills and style doubt themselves and produce pieces the artist's themselves were a little disappointed in.

[@viktoriyarts]

37:24 what's wrong with these people, that is so beautiful and alluring, the way she's absorbed by the book, stunning, I can't believe they kinda skipped it.

[@Nolanthegardener]

The judges sabotaged tall the artists by trying to change them.

[@miarrem]

One can see why the "critique section" of the show was dropped in subsequent seasons . The visual of a panel of judges sitting behind a desk was so pretentious, so old boys club

[@arizona6494]

I LOVE this show. I wish this art competition was in America. I would try out for it.

[@laurawgarts]

I'm very much enjoying this show, except the part where the judges give their "expert" opinions (cough). Every piece of art delivered was lovely - I'm especially intrigued with Luis' style, especially when viewed at a distance vs. up close!

[@donnawoodford6641]

Going before a panel of five judges, all seated behind a long table, would be intimidating for me. Kate's advice seems critical and ridiculous, leaving the artists confused and paralyzed as to what to do next to satisfy them. Artists should never be directed by "experts". What the artists are going to through feels awkward to watch. Artists want to make a connection, but Sophie detaches and reads.

[@sunck2262]

“I wonder if you know your art history too well” yep, one of their “expert” judges actually said that

[@kristinawalla]

these great artists sitting down in front of these judges to get advice is hilarious. The advice given is so inane. The four of them are such kind and down to earth people that their response is just being respectful; sitting thru it and being friendly. But yes i do get your point about a successful artist, making a great living off selling the art he makes and making a name for himself in the art world, being qualified to be one of the judges.

[@kissedbysun2517]

I love how all four of the artists are unpretentious. They are artists, not people who are trying to be artists and have to camp up everything they do and how they look so it screams LOOK AT ME! I liked all the resulting paintings, and think they captured the sitter well, if differently. It was fun to see some of their other work as well. Not sure how I feel about the judges, can't make a lot of sense out of their final assessments of the paintings.

[@petersdotter1]

I agree. About the judges decisions, I have questioned many. But, I also know they are seeing the actual portraits, and knowing how the camera has changed my own work, I have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

[@ashaw3737]

I'm an artist...am I the only one that gets really annoyed when people who are NOT artists (curators, critics) give technical instructions/advice to artists? Really annoys me lol

[@kittymcditty8960]

I found it hard to pick a favourite portrait in this episode despite the distinct style of all four artists due to the excellent execution on each their parts. Well done!

[@shazpari2017]

They are all already amazing in their art and style, i don't understand the point of giving advice to them. They are not beginners who need to learn and fine their ART. If it was me i would never like them for adviceing me, its like you are not interesting in my art and my style. You don't want to see ME but your best of me.

[@kayhight7837]

LOVE the show but it goes by way too fast! I had to watch it twice with my finger on the pause button the whole time. Breath taking work from every artist.

[@jeanniehargis4034]

Evan looks a bit like a Raphael painting.

[@topshe203]

I think like everyone else in the comments the Supposed "experts" and their advices were like the downfall of some of these very talented creative individuals. Not saying that their result was bad, just if they followed their own strategies and strengths there would have been a much better result. Where even the artists would have been satisfied with themselves.

[@sixstringnerveking]

Very inspiring show..I don’t want this to end..

[@cynthiamarston2208]

Hard call! I think they all kind of took a step back actually….a small one….

[@julio1148]

Because they got out of their comfort zone! this is where growth happens :)

[@arturodelada9570]

All 4 artists are unique... They capture the aesthetics of the seater and the texture were just fantastic !

[@gearmachine_4885]

31:04 I know this expression too well... I always look like that when I paint

[@matthewstokes1608]

The best advice for the artist with the most talent - the one the idiot judges criticised for being too steeped in history - is not to listen to a single word they said... You are a far better painter than any of these phenomenal bores... And I find the presenters equally vapid.

[@carolinejobe9346]

love it so inspirational thanks

[@Bavubuka]

How can we follow these amazing artists? It's unfortunate that the show doesn't put any of their websites, social media or any means to follow them and their work. A name is not enough because sometimes there are other artists with the same name. How can we follow them? Please post links to the artists! Thank you.

[@garrenchristian5166]

what a way to end my day!

[@lindastevenson6642]

omy this is beatful

[@NumairAbbasi]

this episode feels unnecessarily stretched

[@michaelburgess9707]

She's beautiful, resembles her grandmother Patricia Neal and what stories she must have, being granddaughter of the war hero who wrote Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Great show, great artists.

[@christinepatriciawong1102]

I had been watching almost every episode of portraits artists. Most of the artists they picked, some of their arts, even those non professional also can draw better. Some of the arts are even like children's art. But of all the episodes I've watched, I think the best is still Nick lord and Ewan Mc clure. Most of their art are really gives an authentic feeling as if the both of them are from those historians artists. And every time I watch the video, I always see Tai schierenberg and Kate always standing very close to each other that shows some kind of intimacy between the both of them. ..at first I thought they were husband and wife. But I like the way Catherine commented on the artists work. She is very real and natural. Nick lord and Ewan mc clure both of them were really talented and phenomenal.

[@leslienewman2052]

Oh man I love this show I don’t want it to end!

[@relocatetoItaly]

Other than the only male judge the other judges are such insufferable snobs..

[@graphiquejack]

It feels like the judges are more interested in 'different' 'contemporary' 'room to grow' and 'mailable to suggestion' whereas I'm looking at who are the most accomplished and established mature artists. Nick and Salena (sp?) did work drastically different and experimental than their previous output and honestly, they both failed, for me. However, it seems the judges liked that they veered from their style more and overlooked the fact that they were both horrid paintings. The colours in Salena's painting were hideous (Matisse would NEVER) and dull, muddy and lifeless in Nick's. Nick didn't even resolve 2/3 of the canvas.

[@АнатолийЛитвиненко-е1к]

Не знаючи мови дивився відео з величезним задоволенням ! Я у захваті від художників.

[@DS-ky9dl]

I think all the paintings looked like the model, and the judges disregarded that.

[@liianabanana6320]

The muse critiquing the work seems odd

[@paulahasratian3263]

Nick is the best artist for this year.

[@tomasalimontani39]

Sophie is magnetic

[@rondayky1]

I'm SO glad this series is available here. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@ricardobezerra2712]

Thank you so much

[@enrikacardoen7146]

Ty😊

[@kasperorganics-organiccott6881]

Nick.

[@magdalenacalderon2197]

Chapeau to all these incredible talented people! Awful criticism...

[@amberkluga8949]

I'm glad they tweeked the format of the show, I enjoy the later seasons more than this first season. The panel with the 4 finalist is actually painful to watch. Pick your pick, but don't nitpick the artists.

[@kudukudu5119]

Auuuuuuughhhh!!!!

[@alanatolstad4824]

I liked them all for different reasons.

[@MellowWind]

Paris? Now I'm confused. I thought only Brits were allowed to compete??

[@karmelicanke]

Paris is just the venue, the artists remain british. Where did you see the contestants change nationality?

[@andreaandrea6716]

Oh! How disappointing to be given a Fashion Model to paint rather than someone with a Character face. I know it shouldn't matter, but it does. (Sophie Dahl is lovely. I feel terrible just having said what I said, especially as Nancy Mitford is one of my favourite authors).

[@pjlewisful]

This American longs for Brittan's appreciation of real art. I love this show.

[@suzeaa]

They should have chosen a model with character rather than a beauty model, which is so boring.

[@Bfdifan-j8x]

She has some interesting angles to her face.

[@robertstevenson7122]

At this stage you wonder why the portraits here are amateur at best . Who has been left behind ? Great show, no offence but how about showing a great portrait ?