Duncan Shoosmith

The newly-crowned Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year opens up about his unlikely passage into portraiture and why painting Sir Tom Jones is not unusual. Interview: RACHAEL FUNNELL

Why did you enter Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year?

I had never watched the TV show and I didn’t really know what I was getting in to, but my godson is a big fan and he nagged me to enter. I didn’t think it would come to anything – I thought that I’d be rejected before the filmed rounds.

What were the benefits of entering the competition?

Well, the obvious benefit is exposure. Suddenly, after winning the competition, thousands of complete strangers knew something of my work. Exposure is very important for artists trying to get commissions. There are a lot of people out there who would like to buy or commission a piece of art, but who are either unaware of how to go about it or haven’t found an artist whose style they like. Programmes such as Portrait Artist of the Year act like creative menus for anyone looking to get a portrait painted.

What did you learn from the experience?

Comfort zones are well and truly smashed on the programme, as every aspect of your practice is scrutinised, filmed and interrupted. I came out the other end a better painter. The process, stress and restraints of the series made me cut some of the chaff from my technique and I became a less ponderous painter as a result.