The future of Anh’s Brush with Fame was called into question this week amid scrutiny surrounding the program’s host Do’s artistic methods
According to industry website TV Blackbox, the 44-year-old has faced increased backlash from viewers who believe his artworks are prepared ahead of filming, and in some cases are not entirely his own work.
Do is no stranger to fans questioning the legitimacy of his ABC program – which purports to show the comedian painting his interview subjects over several hours during a single sitting.
Brush with controversy: How Anh Do, 44, (pictured) was caught out preparing a portrait of Kylie Kwong BEFORE their sit-down interview… as he ‘threatens to quit the show because of the scrutiny surrounding his methods’
In 2019, fans were baffled after noticing a continuity error during Do’s interview with celebrity chef Kylie Kwong.
During her sitting, Kwong wore a pair of statement round spectacles, yet Do’s finished painting depicted her wearing square-framed glasses.
This caused confusion among viewers, with one viewer writing: ‘Kylie Kwong on Anh’s Brush with Fame last night was great but [I’m] so confused by what happened to her glasses.’
Hmm! In 2019, fans were baffled after noticing a continuity error during Do’s interview with celebrity chef Kylie Kwong. Pictured: Kylie Kwong
What’s going on? The finished painting showed Kylie wearing square-framed glasses (left). Throughout her sitting, she had been wearing round spectacles (right)
Gaffe: The editing gaffe didn’t go unnoticed on Twitter, with one fan writing: ‘Kylie Kwong on Anh’s Brush with Fame last night was great but so confused by what happened to her glasses’
Another person Tweeted: ‘Wondering why Anh didn’t paint the same glasses Kylie Kwong was wearing [during her interview]?’
A third fan wrote: ‘What happened with Kylie Kwong’s glasses between interview and portrait? Square on painting, round on face. But a beautiful interview once again.’
However, Kylie’s portrait actually appeared to be based on a professional photo taken a decade ago for Dumbo Feather magazine.
Format: The premise of Anh’s Brush with Fame is that Anh Do (pictured) paints his interview subject over the course of several hours during a single sitting
‘What happened with Kylie Kwong’s glasses between interview and portrait?’ Viewers flocked to Twitter (above) to express their confusion over the continuity error
As first observed by TV Blackbox, the 2012 image by photographer Toby Burrows shows Kylie wearing the same square-framed glasses as in Anh’s portrait.
At the time, an ABC spokesperson explained that ‘painting sessions are conducted over several hours on a closed set’ and that additional photos are sometimes used by Anh to allow his ‘subjects to relax and talk’.
It comes amid rumours Do is ‘refusing to sign on for another series’ of Anh’s Brush with Fame, after an ABC statement confirmed the seventh season has not yet been locked in.
Misleading: However, Kylie’s portrait actually appeared to be based on a professional photo taken a decade ago for Dumbo Feather magazine. Pictured: Anh and Kylie
TV Blackbox has reported that ‘social media backlash’ to Do’s ‘process and finished artworks’ is one of the reasons he wants to walk away.
Earlier this month, Do clarified he does paint the celebrity portraits seen on his critically acclaimed interview series.
Responding to questions from The Sydney Morning Herald Do said: ‘It’s all my own work.’
Controversy: It comes amid rumours Do is ‘refusing to sign on for another series’ of Anh’s Brush with Fame, after an ABC statement confirmed the seventh season has not yet been locked in. Pictured here with singer Guy Sebastian
He went on to reveal he prepares ‘studies’ ahead of the interview, which are created from photos of his subjects.
Those studies may be used for the final work when he’s having an ‘off day’ and doesn’t complete a work he is happy with during the interview.
Do does have ‘help’, however, from his teacher, New Zealand-born artist Paul Ryan, who is an accomplished portrait artist and 13-time Archibald finalist.
Scrutiny: TV Blackbox has reported that ‘social media backlash’ to Do’s ‘process and finished artworks’ is one of the reasons he wants to walk away. Pictured here with his portrait of Marcia Hines
Assistance: Do does have ‘help’, however, from his teacher, New Zealand-born artist Paul Ryan (pictured), who is an accomplished portrait artist and 13-time Archibald finalist
Ryan confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald he assists in the early stages of the portraits being created.
‘Yes it’s true, but Anh is a bit cagey about revealing how it all comes together. He doesn’t like me talking about it,’ he told the newspaper.
‘And he turned me down when I asked for a consultant’s credit on the show, even though every other bugger involved gets one,’ he added.
Helping hand: Ryan confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald this month that assists in the early stages of the portraits being created. Do is pictured with model and author Tara Moss
The publication claimed Do ‘played down’ Ryan’s contribution to the show, and said he just sought ‘advice’ from his fellow artist.
‘I think he may be taking a bit too much credit,’ Do said.
On Wednesday, Do confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that while he’s very much keen to sign on for a seventh series, he’s unable to do so immediately due to other work commitments – writing children’s books.
Reply: On Wednesday, Do confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that while he’s very much keen to sign on for a seventh series, he’s unable to do so immediately due to other work commitments – writing children’s books
‘This year, I’m just so under the pump to meet deadline for books, so I’ve just said to the ABC I can’t commit to something straight away but I love the show,’ he told the publication.
Anh has a publishing deal with Allen and Unwin, where he’s contracted to write 50 children’s books over the next three years.
‘When the writing workload is able to be reduced I’d love to come back and do some more,’ he added.
‘The ABC want another series and I would love to do another series, it’s just that I’m snowed under with my book commitments, which I’m enjoying very much.’
An ABC spokesperson confirmed to the publication: ‘We’re still in discussion with [production company] Screentime and we’re yet to lock in the next series of Anh Do’s Brush with Fame. We’ll let you know as soon as we have more news.’
End of an era? Anh has a publishing deal with Allen and Unwin, where he’s contracted to write 50 children’s books over the next three years. Do is pictured with TV vet Dr Harry Cooper