Anh Do addresses rumours about ABC show Anh’s Brush with Fame

TV host Anh Do has responded to reports claiming his show Anh’s Brush with Fame is set to be axed by the ABC after six seasons.

TV host Anh Do has responded to reports claiming his show Anh’s Brush with Fame is set to be axed by the ABC after six seasons.

On Wednesday, the portrait painter told Confidential that while he’s on board to host a new season, he is unable to immediately sign on due to other work commitments including his publishing deal with Allen and Unwin which requires him to write 50 children’s books over the next three years.

“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,” Do said.

Anh Do and Jimmy Barnes.

Anh Do and Alan Jones.

“When the writing workload is able to be reduced I’d love to come back and do some more.

“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 spokesman said, “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.”

Do, a three time Archibald Prize finalist, first began hosting the series in which he paints and interviews celebrity subjects in 2016.

Over the years, his celebrity guests have included the likes of Jimmy Barnes, Alan Jones and Guy Sebastian.

Anh Do as he appears on the show.

Anh Do and Carrie Bickmore.

In May, season 6 peaked at 558,000 metro viewers.

Earlier this month, a gossip column claimed Do’s art teacher and longtime friend, Paul Ryan, was paid to help Do in “bringing the portraits to life”, however Do said this was: “100 per cent untrue”.

“He sometimes gives me advice but he doesn’t touch my paintings,” Do said.

Ryan added: “I just want to clarify that I give Anh advice on his paintings but I’ve never touched them. He does them all himself. Anh is a wonderful artist and the best student I’ve ever taught.”

Deb Hutton on the show.

Do is a three time Archibald Prize finalist.

Anh went on to clear up misconceptions about how long it takes to paint his subjects.

“A normal sitting takes four hours but some of the guests who come on the show tell me they only have two hours so I know it’s unlikely that I’m going to end up with a painting that I’m completely happy with,” he said.

“So I come in prepared with a nearly finished painting for those days but I always finish the painting on the day. I’ll work on the eyes and mouth to infuse the painting with the mood or feeling that I’ve gotten from the guest from our chat.

“The fact is, if my guests are coming in for two hours, I know I’m probably not going to come up with something that’s good enough so I come in prepared with an almost finished painting but I always finish them on the day and that doesn’t always happen, sometimes I start and finish on the same day.”