Celebs are ready for close-up

Brushes at the ready, Portrait Artist Of The Year is back.

The popular show sees professional and amateur artists paint the portraits of an eclectic selection of celebs, with the winner receiving a £10,000 commission to create a portrait of Sir Lenny Henry, to be exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery.

Celebs in the sitter’s chair include Lulu, Bruno Tonioli, Nick Grimshaw, Suggs and Rebecca Ferguson.

Here, actor Stephen Mangan, who cohosts with Joan Bakewell, tells us more...

What keeps you coming back to the show?

Every painting is a dramatic event. You get to see something created. I think human beings are hard-wired to have a fascination with faces. It’s always dramatic and moving to watch artists tackle all these incredible faces. We’ve had so many tears this year from sitters watching their paintings unveiled. It can be very moving.

What is it like working with Joan and the judges – artist Tai-Shan Schierenberg, independent curator Kathleen Soriano and art historian Kate Bryan?

With the judges, I learn a huge amount. If you have somebody that knowledgeable talking you through a painting, it really increases the pleasure of looking at it. Joan, of course, is a broadcasting legend and I’m very lucky to have her. I’m the Ernie Wise to her Eric Morecambe.

How important is arts programming like PAOTY?

Hugely important. I hear time and again about what a comforting show this is. In a sometimes very difficult world, celebrating talent is a wonderful thing to do.

Any advice for aspiring contestants?

The joy of this show is that the artists are picked on their art, not because of crazy personalities or wacky back stories. Send in your self-portrait, you never know!

Have you noticed any common elements in winning portraits?

It’s unpredictable. All artistic endeavours have an element of mystery. Art is trying to get at something about being a human being that cannot be said in any other way. Can you tell us about some of the sitters? It’s the usual eclectic mix of actors, singers, sports people, scientists. Ellie Simmonds was a highlight for me. She was wonderful and I’m a huge fan of hers – not only as an incredible sports person but a fascinating character. I enjoyed having her here. Suggs from Madness was a treat too.