The NEW BBC Painting Show

Last year we had The Big Painting Challenge and this year there is The BBC Painting Show. Or at least that's its working title. You never know they may get creative and come up with a new and improved title as well.

[UPDATE: It now looks like it might well be called "The School of Art".]

For those who want to improve as a painter

So if you want to improve your painting fancy showing all the artists in the UK how you can paint here's

• what the context for this show is about
• the nuts and bolts of what you have to do.

What's different this year?

Do you think that with the right coaching and inspiration you could become a truly great artist?

This time the emphasis is on painters who want to get better and the show is about what happens to them as they get instruction from.

It sounds to me very much as if the BBC is going for a show pretty much like the The Great Pottery Throw Down. Features of this were:

• one location only (this helps the BBC contain costs. Multiple locations is a recipe for losing control of a budget!)
• participants were skilled - and capable of becoming better. Most of the Thowdown participants had been working with clay for some time and demonstrated some commitment to it. I think that's a pretty good indicator of the sort of person they may well be looking for

I'm wondering if what they're looking for are painters at an intermediate stage who are capable - if they receive instruction - of moving up and learning the skills associated with painters who operate at a professional level - with instruction. In other words rather like the programme model associated with the Pottery Show where the potters learned new ways of working with clay and creating a pot before having a go for themselves.

That suggests to me that, by definition, they'll be looking for people who are

• happy to engage with new ways of working (i.e. not "set in their ways")
• can demonstrate an ability to learn from instructions and apply pretty fast.

Who can enter The BBC painting Show?

• You've got to be 16 years old or older on 1st July 2016. I suggest you don't try and cheat. If they've got any sense they'll ask to look at your birth certificate if you are at the younger end of the spectrum.
• You MUST be 
• an amateur painter. 
• resident in the UK
• able to commit to all the filming days required - including weekdays and weekends - probably during July and August 2016 .

Read the application form carefully - and note that it's pretty clear (or at least it is to me) that they are less than keen on participants who are going to create fodder for spoiler stories in the tabloids.

How to enter The BBC painting Show

You need to email your application to amateurartist@bbc.co.uk no later than Friday June 10^th 2016. However the BBC would much prefer it if you got it in ASAP!

What does an application comprise?

First you need to download and complete the application form. (Word, 120KB).

PLUS you also need to organise THREE photographs.

• two photographs of your work. Remember the quality of the photo is at least as important for this 'competition' as it is for any other so don't be sloppy!
• a photo of yourself. Make it a nice one - and remember they want to see your face. Best to make it like somebody you wouldn't mind seeing on television!

Don't freak! The application form is SEVEN pages long. However this is because they've attached to the form:

• the rules of the show
• the information about use of personal data
• the personal declaration

The questions are not difficult but like any interview form they are there for a reason. So do have a think before you answer them

The document is in Word - so if you can use Word to answer the questions I recommend you do. It's so much easier reading typed words rather than handwriting!

Aspects of your past they will be interested in

Those questions about convictions and bringing the show into disrepute are there for a reason.

Note that the programme will do background checks on those shortlisted or selected for the programme.  That basically means a police check and other background checks to make sure there's no evidence that you're not telling porkies!

If you lie and then somebody tells them the truth I'm guessing it's almost inevitable that you'll find yourself removed from the shortlist, selected artists and/or the show. (That's certainly what happened to the woman who made the Final of The Voice after the tabloids asked pointed questions about her drug habit!)

I understand that the supply of any knowingly inaccurate, misleading or false information in this form would lead to my disqualification from taking part in the programme. (Part of the Declaration you have to sign)

That's just plain embarrassing when you have millions of viewers watching you!

The audition process

If you get past the initial stages of selection (i.e. your application indicates you might be suitable) then you will be invited to an audition.

Otherwise known as "can they talk and paint while having a camera pointed straight at them?" You'd be surprised how many people can't!

They will also want to see how you come across on the small screen. I'm guessing they will get you to do a challenge which not unlike what the series will be doing.

This is what the Rules state

When selecting applicants for this series, the following will be taken into account: artistic ability, artistic potential, enthusiasm, drive, personality, motivation and inspiration, age, geography, experience, skill, hobbies and other interests, personal background and circumstances. Initial selection will be based on the application forms and telephone interviews. In addition the Producers may (but may not) invite short listed applicants to attend an interview at their discretion.

Think about all the BBC 'competition' shows. You know you empathise the most with those who seem absolutely normal! We like those who are well rounded, engaged and committed. We also like the idiosyncratic, the innovative and the mildly whacky. We tend not to like the narrow minded, bored, boring and inarticulate - and they tend to get screened out. Any show can also only have a small number of 'BIG characters' so do think very carefully before engaging with full "luvvie" mode!

I'm hoping Anne Blankson Hemans or any of the other participants in The Big Painting Challenge will come along and comment on how she found the interview process

Where are the auditions?

They're doing auditions in London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast.

Note no expenses are paid to participants until after the second audition stage. Like any other competition, all the initial expenses of entering are down to you.

The Big Painting Challenge

For anybody who has not yet caught up with my blog posts about The Big Painting Challenge you can read them below

• The Great British Paint-Off: BBC1 searches for best amateur artists
• The Big Painting Challenge starts 22nd February on BBC1
• So what did you think of The Big Painting Challenge?
• The Big Painting Challenge - Episode 2
• Review: The Big Painting Challenge - Episode 3 (Still Life) 
• Review: The Big Painting Challenge - Episode 4 (Human Form and Movement) 
• Review: The Big Painting Challenge - Episode 5 (Cityscapes) 
• The Final of The Big Painting Challenge My commentary on The Final Episode in The Big Painting Challenge - and the location of that final painting revealed!
• The Big Painting Challenge - the artists' blog posts