Documentary2013–Sky Arts

The Best Episodes of Portrait Artist of the Year

Every episode of Portrait Artist of the Year ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Portrait Artist of the Year!

Best episode
S10E11 Best of
8.19 votes
Worst episode
S6E9 Elaine Paige
4.39 votes
Top season
Season 3
7.3avg
Binge time
4d 13h
131 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons13

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Portrait Artist of the Year Season 10 Episode 11 - Best of
    8.1/10(9 votes)

    S10:E11

    Look back on the best moments from the tenth season of Portrait Artist of the Year.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 2 Episode 8 - Episode 8
    7.8/10(14 votes)

    S2:E8

    It's crunch time as the three finalists get four nerve-wracking hours to paint The Hobbit actor Sir Ian McKellen. Who will the judges crown the competition winner?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 3 Episode 9 - Painting Graham Norton
    7.8/10(12 votes)

    S3:E9

    This special film joins the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2017 as they collect a £10,000 commission to paint broadcaster Graham Norton.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 7 Episode 11 - Carlos Acosta
    7.7/10(13 votes)

    S7:E11

    The winning artist creates a commissioned portrait of ballet star Carlos Acosta.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 8 Episode 9 - Semi-Final: Nick Mason
    8.0/10(7 votes)

    S8:E9

    The contestants are challenged to paint Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason. Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan present.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 8 Episode 11 - Nicola Benedetti
    7.9/10(8 votes)

    S8:E11

    The winning artist creates a commissioned portrait of Violinist Nicola Benedetti.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Portrait Artist of the Year

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  7. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 2 Episode 3 - Episode 3
    7.7/10(12 votes)

    S2:E3

    Artists in Scotland paint Gary Kemp, Daniela Nardini and Ashley Jensen. An incredibly close heat means there's a twist in store. With Frank Skinner and Joan Bakewell.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 2 Episode 9 - Painting Alan Cumming
    7.5/10(23 votes)

    S2:E9

    Join the 2014 winner as they plan, paint and unveil their £10,000 commission to paint actor Alan Cumming for the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 9 Episode 8 - Rebecca Ferguson
    7.7/10(9 votes)

    S9:E8

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 4 Episode 4 - Rachel Hunter, Stefanie Martini, Conleth Hil
    7.6/10(10 votes)

    S4:E4

    This week's famous sitters are model Rachel Hunter, actress Stefanie Martini and Game of Thrones star Conleth Hill as the portrait painting competition continues.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 3 Episode 3 - Episode 3
    7.6/10(9 votes)

    S3:E3

    James Norton, Raleigh Ritchie and Lesley Manville are the sitters as the artists compete for the £10,000 commission. Frank Skinner and Joan Bakewell host.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 3 Episode 2 - Episode 2
    7.5/10(12 votes)

    S3:E2

    This week, the contestants paint celebrity sitters Sue Perkins, Richard E Grant and Nina Sosanya. But who will the judges send through to the next round?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 4 Episode 2 - Noel Fielding, Reggie Yates, Daphne Selfe
    7.5/10(12 votes)

    S4:E2

    Comedian Noel Fielding, TV presenter Reggie Yates and model Daphne Selfe are the celebrity sitters this week as a group of artists attempts to impress the judges.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 4 Episode 5 - Elizabeth McGovern, Fiona Shaw, Kadeena Cox
    7.5/10(12 votes)

    S4:E5

    Downton Abbey actress Elizabeth McGovern, Harry Potter film star Fiona Shaw and Paralympic gold medalist Kadeena Cox sit for a new group of portrait artists.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 1 Episode 1 - London
    7.4/10(18 votes)

    S1:E1

    Joan Bakewell and Frank Skinner begin their search for Sky Arts' Portrait Artist of the Year in London, where artists are asked to paint stars such as Alison Steadman.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 12 Episode 8 - Jack Rooke, Reece Clarke, Tim Peake
    7.6/10(7 votes)

    S12:E8

    The artists are challenged to capture on canvas the portrait of celebrity sitters Jack Rooke, Reece Clarke and Tim Peake.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 4 Episode 8 - Meera Syal, Derek Jacobi, Kirsty Wark
    7.5/10(9 votes)

    S4:E8

    In the last of the heats, actress Meera Syal, star of stage and screen Sir Derek Jacobi and broadcaster Kirsty Wark sit for a new group of portrait artists.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 5 Episode 2 - David Gandy, Anne Reid & Ashley Walters
    7.5/10(9 votes)

    S5:E2

    David Gandy, Ashley Walters and Anne Reid strike a pose as nine more hopefuls bid to paint their way to the semi-final. Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan host.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 6 Episode 4 - Asim Chaudhry, Russell Tovey and Doreen Mantle
    7.4/10(11 votes)

    S6:E4

    The contestants are challenged to paint comedian Asim Chaudhry, actor Russell Tovey and actress Doreen Mantle. Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan present.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 10 Episode 2 - Jay Rayner, Nihal Arthanayake, Susanna Reid
    7.5/10(7 votes)

    S10:E2

    The 2nd heat of the tenth season from the Battersea Arts Centre features 9 artists creating portraits of radio and TV presenter Nihal Arthanayake, journalist and food critic Jay Rayner and television presenter and journalist Susanna Reid.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 5 Episode 3 - Eddie Hall, Jodie Kidd & James Purefoy
    7.4/10(10 votes)

    S5:E3

    Nine artists race the clock to capture Eddie Hall, Jodie Kidd and James Purefoy on canvas. Whose work will land them a spot in the semi-final? Let the judges decide.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 5 Episode 5 - Georgina Campbell, Mark Gatiss & Tanni Grey-Thompson
    7.4/10(9 votes)

    S5:E5

    A new bunch of hopefuls pitch their easels as they bid to paint their way to the semi-finals. Mark Gatiss, Georgina Campbell and Tanni Grey-Thompson strike a pose.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 8 Episode 6 - David Olusoga, Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Sergei Polunin
    7.4/10(9 votes)

    S8:E6

    The contestants are challenged to paint historian David Olusoga, scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock, and ballet dancer Sergei Polunin. Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan present.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 3 Episode 4 - Episode 4
    7.4/10(8 votes)

    S3:E4

    Actor Trevor Eve, Fortitude star Parminder Nagra and author Ben Okri are the celebrity sitters this week as a new group of artists attempt to impress the judges.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 7 Episode 8 - Episode 7
    7.4/10(8 votes)

    S7:E8

    The contestants are challenged to paint actor and director Kwame Kwei-Armah, Olympic rower Dame Katherine Grainger and maître d'hôtel Fred Sirieix. Stephen Mangan presents.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Best of" is the best rated episode of Portrait Artist of the Year. It scored 8.1/10 from 9 votes. Written and directed by Unknown, it aired on December 13, 2023. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "Episode 8".

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