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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!

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Artists from the UK and Ireland compete by creating portraits of famous people.

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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)

    #1 - Best of

    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 8 Episode 9 - Semi-Final: Nick Mason
    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #2 - Semi-Final: Nick Mason

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

    #3 - Nicola Benedetti

    S8:E11

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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

    #4 - Episode 8

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

    #5 - Painting Graham Norton

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

    #6 - Episode 3

    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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  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Portrait Artist of the Year

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

    #7 - Carlos Acosta

    S7:E11

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

    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)

    #8 - Rebecca Ferguson

    S9:E8

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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

    #9 - Episode 3

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

    #10 - Rachel Hunter, Stefanie Martini, Conleth Hil

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

    #11 - Jack Rooke, Reece Clarke, Tim Peake

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

    #12 - Painting Alan Cumming

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

    #13 - Episode 2

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

    #14 - Noel Fielding, Reggie Yates, Daphne Selfe

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

    #15 - Elizabeth McGovern, Fiona Shaw, Kadeena Cox

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

    #16 - Meera Syal, Derek Jacobi, Kirsty Wark

    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)

    #17 - David Gandy, Anne Reid & Ashley Walters

    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 10 Episode 2 - Jay Rayner, Nihal Arthanayake, Susanna Reid
    7.5/10(7 votes)

    #18 - Jay Rayner, Nihal Arthanayake, Susanna Reid

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

    #19 - London

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

    #20 - Episode 4

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

    #21 - Eddie Hall, Jodie Kidd & James Purefoy

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

    #22 - Georgina Campbell, Mark Gatiss & Tanni Grey-Thompson

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

    #23 - Asim Chaudhry, Russell Tovey and Doreen Mantle

    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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  25. Portrait Artist of the Year Season 6 Episode 8 - Deborah Findlay, Wunmi Mosaku and Omid Djalili
    7.4/10(7 votes)

    #24 - Deborah Findlay, Wunmi Mosaku and Omid Djalili

    S6:E8

    The nine contestants are challenged to paint Deborah Findlay, Wunmi Mosaku and Omid Djalili. Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan present.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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

    #25 - Episode 7

    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 based on 9 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 12/13/2023. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Semi-Final: Nick Mason".