How to watch Portrait Artist Of The Year (AU) Season 2 outside Australia

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Here’s everything you need to know about the ABC original series Portrait Artist of the Year Australia Season 2, including its August 16, 2026 premiere date, ABC TV and ABC iview streaming availability, complete episode guide, hosts, judges, celebrity sitters, and cast lineup. The eight-part competition brings together 54 talented Australian artists, who race against the clock to capture some of the country’s most recognisable personalities and compete for a career-changing commission.

How can I watch Portrait Artist Of The Year (AU) Season 2 outside Australia on ABC iView?

To watch Portrait Artist of the Year Australia Season 2 outside Australia, use ABC iview, the series’ official streaming home. Since ABC iview is geo-restricted, a reliable VPN can connect you to an Australian server while travelling abroad. Once connected, open ABC iview and stream the available episodes online.

Subscribe to NordVPN
Install the VPN app on your device.
Connect to an Australia-based server.
Open the ABC iView website, then log in or sign up for a new account.
You can watch Portrait Artist Of The Year (AU) Season 2.

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Portrait Artist of the Year Australia Season 2 About

Portrait Artist of the Year Season 2 brings together talented artists from across Australia for an extraordinary creative challenge. Each must capture the personality of an iconic celebrity sitter while working against the clock. The artists have only four hours to complete their portraits. Their different styles, techniques and chosen mediums make every finished work unique. Judges Bree Pickering, Abdul Abdullah and Robert Wellington decide which artists have the skill to progress. The competition eventually narrows to three finalists battling for the title. The winner earns a prestigious commission whose completed portrait will be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery from October 5, 2026.

When does Portrait Artist of the Year Season 2 premiere?

Portrait Artist of the Year Season 2 premieres Sunday, August 16, 2026, at 7:30 PM on ABC TV, with the episodes also available to stream through ABC iview.

How many artists compete in Portrait Artist of the Year Australia Season 2?

A total of 54 artists from across Australia compete in Season 2. The lineup ranges from emerging artists to established professionals, with nine competitors participating in each of the six opening heats.

Season 2 Cast

Luke McGregor – Co-host of the Australian art competition.
Miranda Tapsell – Co-host who guides viewers through the artists’ creative journey.
Bree Pickering – Director of the National Portrait Gallery and one of the three judges.
Abdul Abdullah – Award-winning multidisciplinary artist serving on the judging panel.
Robert Wellington – Associate Professor of Art History at the Australian National University and competition judge.

How many episodes does Portrait Artist of the Year Season 2 have?

Portrait Artist of the Year Season 2 has eight episodes.

Episode Guide:

Episode 1: Nine artists paint Matt Preston, Dannii Minogue and John Safran. They have four hours to impress and fight for a semi-final place.
Episode 2: Artists create portraits of Kate Langbroek, Katherine Bennell-Pegg and Troy Cassar-Daley, turning blank canvases into finished works under intense time pressure.
Episode 3: Carrie Bickmore, Marc Fennell and Ellie Cole sit for nine competing artists. Only one painter progresses to the semi-final.
Episode 4: Nine artists tackle portraits of Casey Donovan, Lisa McCune and Dave Hughes, experimenting with different techniques and mediums.
Episode 5: Nedd Brockmann, Andrea Lam and Josh Thomas become the celebrity sitters as another group competes for a semi-final position. The portrait reveal becomes particularly emotional.
Episode 6: Artists paint Baker Boy, Jenny Kee and Peter Rowsthorn, with the final semi-final position on the line.
Episode 7: The top six artists enter the semi-final, creating individual portraits of ARIA-winning singer Marcia Hines. Only three can reach the Grand Final.
Episode 8: Three finalists paint Australian rock icon Kirk Pengilly in the Grand Final. One will claim the commission and become Australia’s Portrait Artist of the Year.

Where to Watch Portrait Artist of the Year Season 2 in Australia

You can watch Portrait Artist of the Year Australia Season 2 on ABC TV and ABC iview in Australia. The eight-part art competition premieres on August 16, 2026, at 7:30 PM on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview. Australian viewers can watch the complete new season online and follow the artists as they compete for a career-changing portrait commission.

What does the winner of Portrait Artist of the Year Australia Season 2 receive?

The Season 2 winner receives a career-defining commission to paint Australian performer Justine Clarke. The completed portrait will be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery of Australia.

Is Portrait Artist of the Year Season 2 free to watch?

Yes. ABC describes its iview programming as free to stream, and Portrait Artist of the Year is available through the service in Australia. Viewers may need to sign in before watching online.

Step	What to Do
1. Visit ABC iview	Open the ABC iview website or app.
2. Select Log In	Choose Log In, then select the option to create an ABC Account.
3. Enter Your Details	Add your email address and other requested account information.
4. Create a Password	Choose a secure password for your ABC Account.
5. Accept the Terms	Review and accept the applicable ABC Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
6. Verify Your Email	Open the verification email from ABC and confirm your email address.
7. Start Streaming	Sign in to ABC iview and start watching available programs.

Portrait Artist of the Year Season 2 Trailer

FAQs

Who hosts Portrait Artist of the Year Australia Season 2?
Miranda Tapsell and Luke McGregor return as the hosts of Portrait Artist of the Year Australia Season 2. Tapsell is an award-winning actor, while McGregor is an Australian comedian and actor.
Who are the judges on Portrait Artist of the Year Australia Season 2?
The Season 2 judges are Bree Pickering, Abdul Abdullah and Robert Wellington. Pickering is Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Abdullah is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, and Wellington is an art historian and academic at the Australian National University.
How long do contestants have to paint their portraits?
Contestants have just four hours to complete a portrait of their assigned celebrity sitter.
Which celebrities appear in Portrait Artist of the Year Australia Season 2?
Season 2 features celebrity sitters including Matt Preston, Dannii Minogue, John Safran, Kate Langbroek, Troy Cassar-Daley, Carrie Bickmore, Ellie Cole, Casey Donovan, Lisa McCune, Dave Hughes, Baker Boy, Jenny Kee, Marcia Hines and Kirk Pengilly. Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Marc Fennell, Nedd Brockmann, Andrea Lam, Josh Thomas and Peter Rowsthorn also appear.

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