Second time around Sky arts Portrait artist of the year 2025

So I decided to apply again, and guess what I was selected.

This time I knew what i was letting myself in for however that didn’t mean it was easy.

My first objective was to come up with a plan that I could use to achieve a good painting.

Lessons learnt from last time-take technology -use of grid -drawing- create a narrative

The five weeks from initial phone call I used this time to work on my new plan, last time I was on I decided to paint from life, however my way of working is mainly photographs due to I just cant afford models. Also I was very aware that the sitter moves and naturally follows the camera. I did however do a few paintings from life to compare to my formula that I was working on, So it became a mixture of life and technology

This time there was an emphasis on reactions in which a therapist appointment is made through Sky, I know from last time and the way mentally work I needed strategies , ( I do suffer from depression and can get overwhelmed by situations)These were discussed with the therapist and was a positive experience. I’m assuming this was from the back lash towards previous winners, contestants, so sky are actively trying to prepare you if you go further.

The day itself started all the artists are rounded up introducing themselves, due to the fact Id been before I was treated like an old friend by the crew which was lovely also meaning I got a lot of questions directed my way. For an artist this is marketing platform too, I couldnt afford this kind of advertising. Last time I received a commission from an audience member.

As with anything in a situation outside of the norm adrenaline is out of this world and nerves are there playing havoc (no matter experience this is nothing you can prepare for). As an artist you are being asked to paint something in 4 hours, my submission took 8 days I can not achieve that level in 4 hours what I can do is give you an idea of a painting and narrative.

There was however a different feeling from last time, there was fewer interactions from judges outside of being filmed with them. I noticed though that I was having a good response from my submission with audience members having their photos taken in front of it as well as at the end of the day with my finished painting.

Interviews are happening throughout the day and as last time the audience were coming up to me and saying how well I was doing, however I noticed who was being constantly talked to by judges. So I had a feeling who was going to win there was beginning to feel like a deja vu.

The sitter was Fatiha Elghorri and she was a pleasure so funny but she came in saying someone from our group had to win, and if you see her comedy she has attitude and that is what I wanted to portray . Once I saw the item I knew before she arrived I wanted the sitter to hold it. The way my mind works is I try to find a narrative I can relate to which enables me to connect with the sitter on the canvas. The object was an heirloom plate that is handed down the female line through her Morrocan heritage. When they marry it becomes part of the family. So when she did arrive in my head these strings came together in the thought of I wanted to capture just of life size holding the plate as if opposite her at the table, with all the attitude as if your in my realm . It also meant that I could relate to history of art the paintings of icons holding orbs or in western art holding jesus with the flow of fabric. Now my submission is all about the body and see myself leaning towards the figurative side of portraiture. Fatiha’s hijab meant that the figure was lost but this enabled me to play around with colours reflecting within the fabric . The background colours were vibrant and unnatural, so I went back to the iconology of using it to frame her. I knew where I wanted this painted to go from the off.

Interaction with Stephen Mangham

Stephen said you make this so easy for me which was a lovely comment, he also intereacted with my mom who I brought along which got a laugh but terrified my mom as she wanted to disappear into the audience. Question like why you back , of course you say it be nice to win. Anyone who doesn’t want to get through to the next round is lying

Interaction with Tai

We talked about colour theory and textures and if I would be able to reproduce on this painting that I did on the submission. I said i would try.. but looking back it can not be the same it can be a form of it as ususally I lay colours and let the dry a day so I can work on top and reveal the under colours. .

Interaction with Kathleen

We talked really in depth about why Id chose the pose and how I wanted create a boss lady effect and give her attitude , I probably sounded aggressive but I worked of a gutteral feeling she asked me about my submission said its easier to paint self portraits as Im in control and Im able to move myself and tell the narrative. But when talking about others I said I like to dictate the sitting to tell a narrative. As to me a successful portrait tells a story it creates intrigue, As an artist a portrait should show the sitter but it is controlled by the painter we decide the brush strokes how we can get the most from the sitter. If the sitter wants the best portrait the artist need to have free reign after all in a commission they have come to you. The painters eyes see you/sitter differently. I never got the chance to speak to Kathleen last time and I really enjoyed it.

Interaction with Kate

Initially she walked past me at the start and said how long did it take , I said 8 days, but artist days (never 9 till 5 more like 12 hours a day when in the throws)

I did not have any interaction after that apart from her shaking my hand and saying amazing submission at the end line up

The only other thing was she had her child with her in the afternoon and was asking her do you like this painting as she went past, and I heard a no in my vicinity. I think it was half term as it felt like a family outing .. which made me chuckle

Interactions with the crew were as always great from the start till the end of camera and on , every crew member is so invested.

Fathiha chose the winner but of camera asked to buy the paintings , I said I would gift but she said no she would buy as we are all artists. However when picking it did seem that it was between the winner and me lot of looks back and forth.

I could feel my self getting overwhelmed when waiting for the announcement I knew at that point I wasn’t going to get picked call gut instinct, too many things were similar to last time, . Also James Issacs work was not in the line up of three and I was expecting him to go through as I managed to see his in the breaks as we were the first artists to arrive so we had more interactions and talked about how we were getting on with the paintings. We both looked at each other when the names were called out as we hoped each other would get through.

Another difference last time I never saw who won this time all artist were pushed to the front when winner announced at that point I was close to tears and overwhelmed by the process it takes a hell of a lot of you and to be honest , just wanted to decompress as the feeling of self doubts/and rejections arise.

The after interviews I was asked are you happy to come back yes would I do it again no as I said if the judges didn’t like my work the first ,second time they are not gonna like it a third very off cuff answers but I was tired and to be honest I couldn’t afford the expense (There is a monetary expense to this if you live outside London) . I was also was asked to do a piece to camera about applying so hopefully I will be used in advertisements on socials.

Looking back now in retrospect if they asked me back id give it another go.

Aftermath - It has been hard to recover I think I had like most people would a sense of rejection , and for the first time I had a really severe case of artist block a couple of months later, I lost a lot of confidence in myself.

Overall however I was happy with the painting its a strong painting yes it may not be refined as the submission but its a four hour painting that I completed. It was complete .

And now it is with its rightful owner Fatiha

I also want to say a shout out to Sarah Lee we connected on the day but have supported each other since the show.