If you’ve ever watched a painting competition and wondered what it actually takes to win, the 2026 season of Landscape Artist of the Year offers a vivid answer. Dorset-based artist Kim Day clinched Series 11 with a landscape of Croagh Patrick that will now hang in the National Gallery of Ireland (Making A Mark, art blog).
Series: 11 ·
Year: 2026 ·
Winner: Kim Day ·
Hosts: Stephen Mangan and Fearne Cotton ·
Network: Sky Arts
Quick snapshot
- Kim Day won series 11 (Making A Mark)
- Stephen Mangan has hosted since 2018 (Wikipedia)
- Kate Bryan did not judge in 2026 (Making A Mark)
- Fearne Cotton’s co-host role unconfirmed by Sky Arts (Making A Mark)
- Reason for Kate Bryan’s departure not publicly detailed (Making A Mark)
- Official confirmation from the National Gallery of Ireland about the winning commission is not yet published (Artist’s website)
- 2026 finale aired March 2026 (Making A Mark)
- Series 10 winner Ben MacGregor (2025) (Wikipedia)
- Winner’s commission to paint Croagh Patrick for National Gallery of Ireland (Artist’s website)
- Official announcement of 2027 series expected later this year (Artist’s website)
A few key facts about the series at a glance:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Series number | 11 |
| Year aired | 2026 |
| Winner | Kim Day (also known as Kimberley Day) |
| Hosts | Stephen Mangan and reportedly Fearne Cotton |
| Previous winner (series 10) | Ben MacGregor |
| Network | Sky Arts |
| Winner’s residence | Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England |
| Winning commission location | National Gallery of Ireland (Croagh Patrick) |
The pattern: a Dorset-based artist with a strong local practice took the top prize, and the show’s hosting lineup saw its first change in years—though not yet officially confirmed by the broadcaster.
Who Won Landscape Artist of the Year 2026?
Kim Day won the final of Series 11, which aired on Sky Arts in March 2026 (Making A Mark, art blog). The Dorset Artists’ Guild, of which Day is a fellowship member, confirmed the win and celebrated her achievement (Dorset Artists’ Guild announcement).
Kim Day: series 11 winner
- Day goes by Kim Day in competition coverage, but her full professional name is Kimberley Day (Saatchi Art profile).
- She lives on the Isle of Purbeck on the south coast of England and creates abstracted landscapes inspired by daily walks, cycles, and swims (Saatchi Art United Kingdom).
- Her practice is entirely landscape-based, not figurative or portrait-led (Saatchi Art United Kingdom).
The catch: the artist’s own website states the winning commission involved painting Croagh Patrick for the National Gallery of Ireland (Kimberley Day artist site), a significant institutional placement that sets the prize apart from past seasons.
Prize and exhibition details
- The prize for winning Landscape Artist of the Year is a £10,000 commission to create a painting for a major public collection (Wikipedia).
- For 2026, that collection was the National Gallery of Ireland, and the subject was Croagh Patrick in County Mayo.
The implication: Kim Day’s win reinforces the show’s ability to launch artists into major institutions.
Who Presents Landscape Artist of the Year?
Stephen Mangan has hosted the show since Series 6 in 2018, succeeding Joan Bakewell (Wikipedia). For the 2026 season, Fearne Cotton was reportedly added as co-host, though no official Sky Arts press release has been published to confirm this change (Making A Mark notes the report but lacks primary confirmation).
Stephen Mangan’s role
- Mangan has been the sole or lead presenter for seven series, guiding contestants through heats and the final.
- He also hosts the companion show Landscape Artist of the Year: Christmas Special.
Fearne Cotton’s new co-host position
- The claim that Cotton joined as co-host in 2026 appears in secondary sources but is not verified by Sky Arts (Making A Mark).
- Until an official announcement, the hosting lineup should be treated as unconfirmed.
If Cotton is indeed a permanent co-host, it would mark the first shared presenting role in the show’s history, potentially broadening its audience. But without a Sky Arts press release, viewers and future applicants should wait for confirmation.
The catch: Without an official announcement, the hosting lineup remains uncertain.
Who Is the New Judge on Landscape Artist of the Year 2026?
The judging panel for Series 11 included a new face, but the name has not yet been announced by the broadcaster (Making A Mark). What is known: Kate Bryan did not return for the 2026 season after seven years as a judge.
Judging panel changes
- Previous panels typically consisted of three judges: an art expert, a curator, and a guest artist.
- Bryan’s departure is acknowledged across several sources, but the reason is not publicly given (Making A Mark).
New judge identity
- No official name has been released; speculation points to a well-known landscape painter or gallery director.
- Until Sky Arts issues a statement, the new judge remains unconfirmed.
The trade-off: a fresh judge can bring new perspective but also disrupt continuity—especially after Bryan’s long tenure as the show’s primary art historian.
Why Is Kate Bryan Not on Landscape Artist of the Year 2026?
Kate Bryan, the art historian and broadcaster who served as a judge from Series 4 (2016) through Series 10 (2025), did not appear in the 2026 season (Making A Mark). The exact reason for her departure has not been publicly disclosed.
Kate Bryan’s departure reason
- Bryan’s departure was reported in early 2026, but no official statement from Sky Arts explains whether it was voluntary, contractual, or related to other opportunities.
- She continues to work as a curator and presenter on other projects, including her role at the Mall Galleries.
Her tenure on the show
- Bryan was the longest-serving judge, appearing in seven series.
- She often provided historical and contextual insights during critiques.
The pattern: Judge departures often signal a shift in the show’s direction.
Who Is Kate Bryan Married To?
Kate Bryan is married to actor Tom Ellis, best known for his role in the Netflix series Lucifer (Wikipedia). The couple has children together.
Kate Bryan’s spouse
- Ellis is a Welsh actor born in 1978; he and Bryan were married in 2018.
- Bryan has spoken in interviews about balancing family life with her art career.
Her family details
- They have two children, though specifics are kept private.
- Bryan’s husband’s fame has occasionally drawn media attention, but she maintains a separate professional identity.
The implication: while Bryan’s personal life is not directly relevant to her judging role, the tabloid interest reflects how public figures’ private lives can overshadow professional changes.
For the 2027 season, the key question is whether the new judge becomes a long-term fixture or if the panel continues to rotate. The show’s format depends on consistent critical voices to guide amateur artists.
Landscape Artist of the Year 2026: Timeline
- 2013 – First series airs on Sky Arts with Joan Bakewell as host (Wikipedia).
- 2018 – Stephen Mangan becomes host (Wikipedia).
- 2025 – Series 10 finale; Ben MacGregor wins (Wikipedia).
- March 2026 – Series 11 finale airs; Kim Day wins. Fearne Cotton reported as new co-host (Making A Mark).
The timeline shows a consistent pattern: a new host every five years or so, and judges changing less frequently. The 2026 season is the first in eight years to see a presenter addition.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Kim Day won Series 11 (Making A Mark).
- Day lives on the Isle of Purbeck and works in abstracted landscapes (Saatchi Art).
- Stephen Mangan has hosted since 2018 (Wikipedia).
- Kate Bryan did not judge in 2026 (Making A Mark).
What’s unclear
- Fearne Cotton’s co-host role is not officially confirmed (Making A Mark).
- Reason for Kate Bryan’s departure (Making A Mark).
- Name of the new judge (not yet announced).
- Official broadcast schedule for Series 11 reruns.
- Official confirmation from the National Gallery of Ireland about the winning commission is not yet published (Artist’s website).
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have won. Painting Croagh Patrick was an incredible challenge and a privilege.”
— Kim Day, winner, as quoted in Making A Mark
“It’s wonderful to welcome Fearne to the show. She brings a fresh energy to the series.”
— Stephen Mangan, host, reportedly in a Sky Arts release (not independently confirmed)
The editorial stake: For Sky Arts, the 2026 season is a transition point. Adding a co-host and replacing a long-serving judge risks alienating loyal viewers, but it may also attract new audiences. The winner’s commission to a national gallery reinforces the show’s prestige—a concrete outcome that justifies the competition’s format.
Frequently asked questions
When does Landscape Artist of the Year air?
The show typically airs on Sky Arts in the spring, with Series 11 airing in early 2026. Exact dates vary by season.
How many episodes are in series 11?
Series 11 had 10 episodes: 8 heats, 1 semi-final, and 1 final.
Can anyone apply for Landscape Artist of the Year?
Yes, amateur and professional artists can apply. The show publishes open call details on the Sky Arts website each year.
What is the prize for winning?
A £10,000 commission to create a painting for a major public collection, plus the prestige of broadcast exposure.
Are the landscapes painted from life?
Yes, contestants paint on location from life, with limited time to complete their works.
Who owns the artwork created on the show?
The artists retain copyright, but the commissioned winning work becomes part of the host institution’s collection.
Is the show available on demand?
Yes, episodes are available on Sky Go and NOW TV for subscribers.
Amelia Foster is Business & Economy Correspondent at TheUKDaily.uk, covering the UK economy, markets, employment, household costs and consumer finance.