She should have stopped. But the empty wall above the sofa began to hum. She scrolled deeper, past the five-star reviews that simply said “lovely” or “my gran would like this” , and into the abyss.
Since its debut, Sky Arts' has established itself as a cornerstone of "slow TV," often described by critics as a warm, artistic "cuddle" similar to The Great British Bake Off . With over 11 seasons, it has evolved into one of the UK's most significant art competitions , offering a £10,000 commission for the winner to paint a major public figure for a national gallery. The Core Appeal: Process Over Drama portrait artist of the year reviews
And then she saw it. Behind his right ear. The mole. She’d painted it. Small, brown, slightly raised. She remembered agonizing over the shadow beneath it. She should have stopped
Reviews of Portrait Artist of the Year (PAOTY) often highlight the show's unique focus on technical merit over reality-TV drama, though viewers frequently debate the judges' subjective final decisions. Recent seasons continue to emphasize the critical importance of the initial self-portrait submission, which critics argue often determines a contestant's overall trajectory in the competition. MAKING A MARK +1 Critiques of the Judging & Format Critics and regular viewers often focus on the tension between traditional likeness and artistic innovation. Judging Subjectivity: A common theme in reviews is the disagreement between the public and judges. Some viewers find certain winning portraits "unrecognizable" compared to the sitters, leading to debates about whether the competition prioritizes "tricksy techniques" over capturing a true likeness. The "Self-Portrait" Weight: Expert reviewers, such as those from the Making a Mark blog , suggest that the self-portrait is often the "vitally important" factor in winning a heat, sometimes even overshadowing the work done during the televised four-hour challenge. Production Limitations: Some reviews criticize technical aspects, such as studio lighting causing glare on oil paintings, making it difficult for television viewers to appreciate the depth and tonal variation of the artwork. Judging Panel Changes: Upcoming for the 2026 season, long-time judge Kate Bryan has stepped down after over a decade. She will be replaced by Eva Langret, Artistic Director of Frieze London, marking a significant shift for the series' critique style. MAKING A MARK +6 Artistic Highlights & Successes Despite criticisms of the judging, the show is widely praised as a celebration of the discipline of portraiture. 13 sites Review: Episode 1 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2025 (Series 12) Oct 3, 2025 — Since its debut, Sky Arts' has established itself