A talented teenage artist at Gordonstoun has been chosen to appear on the new TV series of Portrait Artist of the Year.
Student Ruby Mitcham, 18, has quickly established herself as one of the most promising artists of her generation in the UK.
Last year, she became the youngest ever artist to feature at the Society of Scottish Artists Annual Exhibition in Edinburgh, which has previously featured work by Raeburn, Picasso and Munch.
Now Ruby, who only began oil painting when she was aged 15, is among several emerging artists to feature in the prestigious Sky Arts programme hosted by actor and comedian Stephen Mangan.
TV cook Dame Mary Berry is among a series of several well-known faces to sit as a subject for the 12th series of Portrait Artist of the Year, which airs tonight (Wed).
Succession actor Brian Cox, Bridgerton actress Adjoa Andoh, former Boyzone star Shane Lynch and astronaut Tim Peake were also captured on canvas.
Ruby was invited to apply for the show when she was on a school exchange in Canada. Despite being thousands of miles away from home, she quickly managed to put together a piece of art and transport it back to the UK.
The producers were so impressed by her entry, that Ruby was invited to be one of a select number of artists on the programme. After travelling down to London, Ruby painted her sitter – to be revealed in episode 5 – live at Battersea Arts Centre in front of a studio full of cameras.
Ruby Mitcham, who is in her final year of a two-year senior Art and Music scholarship at Gordonstoun, said:
“The first look at the set was incredible. It looks the same as it does on TV but with lots of cameras and people. Everyone was really nice, and it was bizarre seeing the judges for the first time, who were all very kind and friendly.
“It was exciting to meet the other eight artists in my heat and although it was a competition, it didn’t feel like that in the slightest. I really enjoyed painting the sitter and was pleased with the challenge of a short time for a painting.
“I typically don’t like it when people see my paintings mid-process, and I ended up painting slightly differently to how I would have if I had been alone.
“But the audience was really supportive, and I had a good chat with some of the people watching. The day was one I’ll never forget.”
The series will once again be judged by Tai Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano, and Kate Bryan. The filming took place during the Easter holidays and the first episode is broadcast tonight (Wed).
Ruby has picked up a series of accolades in the past year. She was also shortlisted for the Scottish Portrait Awards at 16 and nominated for Young Fine Artist.
Ruby has already had her paintings hung twice in the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA), most recently as part of the RSA’s Annual Open Exhibition of Art and Architecture. She has recently been selected for the prestigious XV Florence Biennale, a platform for international contemporary art.
Wendi Van-Hoof, Gordonstoun Head of Art, said:
“Ruby’s appearance on such a prestigious TV show is a worthy recognition of her burgeoning talent. She is a joy to teach and the sky’s the limit for Ruby.
“Her grasp of portraiture is akin to someone much older and I’m looking forward to seeing how she develops not only her technical skills but her creative insight in her final year at Gordonstoun.”
Ruby’s mother, Joanna, added:
“While finding her footing in the art world, Ruby is also getting on with everyday life at school, revising, auditioning for the school musical and enjoying being with her friends.
“Ruby really enjoyed the time she spent on set on Portrait Artist of the Year. She knew that it would be a challenge trying to produce work under the time pressure and camera scrutiny, but she loved the support from the audience and was excited to take part in the competition.”
Ruby’s most recent commission was of BBC Radio 4’s Ron Brown, announcer of the Shipping Forecast, to commemorate 100 years of its broadcast on the BBC.
Ruby is also an accomplished musician – she plays the violin and is a ‘lovely fresh soprano’.
Gordonstoun Head Simon Cane-Hardy said:
“While Ruby’s great passion is art, she is also a talented musician, dancer and a valuable member of the school’s fire service. She is an inspiration to younger students and a fantastic example of Gordonstoun’s unique curriculum, giving every young person the confidence to achieve what they otherwise would not.
“We are all excited about the forthcoming Portrait Artist of the Year series to see what household name Ruby was asked to paint and look forward to tuning in.”
Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year Season 12 begins on 1st October on Freeview Channel 36 and on all Sky platforms. See Ruby paint in episode 5 on Wednesday 29 October.
Categories: Gordonstoun School News
