I have mentioned both of these series in past Favorites Posts as well as on the TCe podcast.  And I can’t count the number of times I have brought them up in conversations with other people, specifically when talking about art or adjacent subjects like finding your creative voice.  I have watched all available seasons at least twice.  These series are Landscape Artist of the Year and Portrait Artist of the Year and, if you haven’t heard of them, I want to share all about them (without any spoilers), why I love them so much, and what I’ve learned from watching them.

(All of the photos in this post are from sky.com)

I tripped across Landscape Artist of the Year first a few years ago on Amazon Prime and I loved it right from the beginning.  I was then delighted to learn about Portrait Artist of the Year, which I think has edged out Landscape as my favorite.  As with other British competition shows I enjoy, like the Great British Baking Show, the competition is friendly, encouraging, and gracious, which makes it enjoyable to root for everyone.  Likewise, the judges are always kind in their critiques, showing judges don’t have to be pretentious jerks who belittle contestants for cheap laughs.  They are thoughtful and respectful, and listening to their critiques is one of my favorite parts of each episode.

At the beginning of each show, they introduce the artist contestants along with their submission pieces.  During this introduction, I love the theme that great art can come from anyone.  People are young and old, professionals and amateurs, relative beginners, and those seasoned in their medium, and they come from all professions, locations, and walks of life.  And, the judges select a wide range of works created in different mediums and styles.  There are oils, acrylics, pastels, collage, ink, scratchwork, embroidery, graphite, charcoal, watercolor, fabric, linocut, etchings, and I’m sure a few others I’m not representing.    It’s very educational to listen to what spoke to the judges about each selected submission.  Sometimes it’s technical mastery and other times it’s because the work evokes a feeling or was just so unique they had to see what the artist would create next.

It’s a delight watching the artists work on creating a piece to submit for judging within the four-hour timeframe while being observed and interviewed.  You can sense it’s a bit of a pressure cooker for some and a comfortable environment for others, but they all surround themselves with their materials, take a deep breath, and dive in.  You get a glimpse into the way a variety of artists work from intuitive to methodical.  Some start with large shapes and refine to the smaller details as time goes on.  Others start with grids and detailed drawings and work their way out to the larger image.  You get to see the paintings in their ugly stages and, in the portrait competitions, get to see the likeness of the sitter come and go or slowly emerge.

I also love watching people create in different mediums and styles.  I can’t say that I like all of them or always agree when the judges pick their favorites of the day, but I always gain a new appreciation for those who see the world in their own unique way as well as those who are brave enough to do something unconventional and even a bit bonkers.

When I first started watching the show, I thought I was sure I would know which paintings the judges would shortlist and ultimately who would be the winning artist.  They would pick the painting with the best likeness of the person or the place and the one that is most technically correct.  The seasoned, Florence-trained artists would surely claim the top spot every time.  The judges, though, often surprised me.  In some ways, they were not as interested in pieces that were traditionally good paintings.  They also didn’t always look for a true likeness of a person or a literal interpretation of a place.  They always complimented those paintings but pointed out the fact that they’d seen it before.  They aren’t impressed by slavish copies or regurgitated, carefully practiced techniques.  They want to see paintings that break free, are thought-provoking, and evoke an emotion.  It’s not always the prettiest painting that wins.  Sometimes it’s the strange, odd, unique, and experimental.

Their critiques not only helped me look at art that isn’t specifically my taste in a different way but it’s been an encouragement to me as a creative.

I’ve always been harsh on myself when it comes to creating a “good” painting or sketch.  I feel like it needs to be accurate and true or it’s bad.  The truth is, sometimes really wonderful art is wonky and weird.  Great art isn’t always traditionally good.  There is so much freedom in knowing that.  I can’t even express how encouraging it’s been to me to know I don’t have to be the best.  I just have to be authentic to myself, how I see the world, and what I want to say with the things I create.

If you read this blog, I think you’ll find something to love in these shows, even if it’s just watching lovely people spending the day doing something they love.  I know it will always get me eager to pick up my brushes.

You can watch most seasons except for the most recent on either Amazon Prime, Tubi (which is free), or YouTube.