E01
Episode 1
Nine artists compete to create portraits of celebrity sitters including artist Ken Done, chef Maggie Beer and Yellow Wiggle Tsehay Hawkins. Using diverse techniques, they showcase creativity and skill in just four hours.
TV SERIES / EPISODE GUIDE
Portrait Artist of the Year
RunningFirst aired 2025-11-02ABC iview
For the first time, amateur and professional artists go head-to-head in Portrait Artist of the Year, competing for the ultimate prize: a life-changing commission to hang in the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.In each episode, nine artists, from emerging talents to established professionals, have just four hours to create a portrait of a well-known celebrity. Their work is then judged by three esteemed Australian art experts: Director of the National Portrait Gallery of Australia, Bree Pickering; award winning, multi-disciplinary artist, Abdul Abdullah; and Associate Professor of Art History at the Australian National University (ANU), Robert Wellington.Both Miranda and Luke share a passion for portraiture and know that every great painting tells a story. Together, they guide viewers through the creativity, surprises and magic that unfold with every brushstroke.
FROM THE SHOW GUIDE
Season by season.
16 listed episodes across 2 seasons. Air dates are provided by TVmaze and can change.
Season 1 8 episodes
E02
Episode 2
Nine artists have 4 hours to create portraits of Drag Queen Courtney Act, Actor Mark Coles Smith and film critic Margaret Pomeranz, each with a personal item. The judges select a top 3, and 1 advances to the semi-final.
E03
Episode 3
Heat 3 features an array of unique talent, including the youngest and oldest artists in the competition. Celebrity sitters are Gardening Australia's Costa Georgiadis, comedian Celia Pacquola and actor Talijah Blackman-Corowa.
E04
Episode 4
This heat features nine artists from across the country. The sitters are comedian Rhys Nicholson, chef Adam Liaw, and radio/TV host Myf Warhurst.
E05
Episode 5
In this heat, nine artists have four hours to create a portrait of a celebrity sitter: Paralympian Madison de Rozario OAM, TV and radio host Amanda Keller, and actor/comedian Matt Okine.
E06
Episode 6
In the final heat, nine artists from across Australia have just four hours to create portraits of Muster Dogs season 1 winner Frank Finger and his dog Annie, actor Chloe Hayden and comedian Alex Lee.
E07
Episode 7
The pressure is on as the winners of our heats are joined by a wildcard chosen by our judges. Seven talented artists return for the semi-final, each given 4 hours to capture the likeness and spirit of Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki.
E08
Episode 8
In the Grand Final, three outstanding artists; Jenny Croom, Dean Rankine and Jenna Pickering each have four hours to paint a portrait of adored comedy icon Denise Scott, each drawing on their unique approach to artmaking.
Season 2 8 episodes
E01
Episode 1
Nine artists, both amateur and professional, create portraits of celebrity sitters Matt Preston, Dannii Minogue and John Safran. Each with their own unique style, work under a time limit to earn a spot in the semi-finals.
E02
Episode 2
Nine artists go head-to-head, creating portraits of celebrity sitters, Kate Langbroek, Katherine Bennell-Pegg and Troy Cassar-Daley. In just four hours, these talented artists will turn a blank canvas into a stellar work of art.
E03
Episode 3
Nine Australian artists showcase their creativity and skill in a race against the clock. They have four hours to create portraits of celebrity sitters Carrie Bickmore, Marc Fennell and Ellie Cole. Only one artist will make it through to the semi-final.
E04
Episode 4
Nine artists compete in Portrait Artist of the Year, creating portraits of Casey Donovan, Lisa McCune and Dave Hughes. Using a range of techniques and mediums in just four hours, they showcase their creativity and skill.
E05
Episode 5
Nine artists compete for a spot in the semi-final, painting portraits of Young Australian of the Year Nedd Brockmann, The Piano's Andrea Lam and comedian Josh Thomas. Emotion overwhelms one of the sitters as their portraits are revealed.
E06
Episode 6
Nine artists showcase their skills, creating portraits of musician Baker Boy, designer Jenny Kee and Kath & Kim's Peter Rowsthorn. Which artist will earn the coveted final spot in the semi-final?
E07
Episode 7
The pressure is on as the top six artists compete head-to-head in the semi-final. They'll be painting their own unique renditions of ARIA award winning singer Marcia Hines. Who will make the top three and progress to the final?
E08
Episode 8
The Grand Final is here! Three incredible artists step up to their easels and battle it out, painting Australian rock music icon Kirk Pengilly. They're competing to win a life-changing commission and the title of Australia's Portrait Artist of the Year.
Show and episode information provided by TVmaze ↗. Sources & Credits.