I’m going to be on Sky Portrait Artist of the Year!

Series 7 on 3 March 2020… just a few weeks from now.

Feb 2019 I submitted my digital application which included a self portrait ‘Reflection’ and 2 other portrait images. I received an exciting phone call a few weeks later saying I had been selected – Yay!

I had to sign a contract to say I wouldn’t tell anyone apart from my close family and I wasn’t allowed to share on social media etc obviously.
I couldn’t even tell my mum… there’s no way she would have been able to keep it to herself.

Filming for my episode took place on 11 April at Battersea Art Centre. Myself, my partner Mick and our 4 kids had all traveled by train to London the day before.

Like any TV production there’s hours of filming then it gets edited and cut down into the format hour of the show. My day with PAOTY started at 7am and finished at 7pm – 12 hours!
My day began in a little room with all the other artist contestants having breakfast and being briefed about the day’s events.
The 4 hours of painting time were split up with lots of breaks, lots of being filmed individually whilst being asked questions, lots of coffee and lots of snacks.

The 9 artists were divided into groups of 3 with a different celebrity revealed to each group, no one knew who they were painting. As soon as the celebrities were revealed and sat in their pose it was straight to work!
I’m not allowed to reveal who I painted yet until the programme has aired on 3rd March.

Our easels had to stay in a particular place as did we. There were static cameras fixed on to an impressive huge circular frame set, cameras on mobile cranes, camera crew with huge cameras on their shoulders and sound crew with big fluffy mics beside you, behind you and in front of you
The audience were amazing, it was really encouraging to have them watching you paint and comment and be part of the whole affair. Having Mick and the kids in the audience was fantastic, they were just beaming at me all the time and gave me so much confidence.

I’m more nervous now on the run up to seeing the programme than I was on the day of filming! I loved the whole experience. Every person I dealt with from the production company Story Vault and Sky TV have been really friendly and helpful and made me feel such a big part of it all.

I’d love to do it all over again!

Do you love Portrait Artist of the Year?
How do you fancy joining me in a portrait painting weekend?
I’m organising a Portrait Painting in Oils Weekend Workshop from my studio, places are limited so book early!

Saturday 21 March 10am – 4pm
& Sunday 22 March 10am – 2pm
£150 all materials included

Perfect for anyone interested in portrait painting. Suitable for all levels, if you’ve never tried oil painting or portraiture, if you’ve done a few and want to learn more or you can buy a place as a gift for someone special (it is on Mothering Sunday weekend after all!)
You will be given hints and tips on composition, dimensions and skin tones in this informative, exciting workshop.
Working from your own photograph of a loved one you will paint a beautiful portrait in oil paint which you will be proud of.
All materials included, oil paint, canvas, brushes etc.
Tea and coffee will be served.

For more information and to book your place email
info@kellyannecairns.com