Smart Arty



Smart Arty was a French artist who appeared from Series 1 to 7. He was played by Neil Buchanan who was known for Finders Keepers and Art Attack at the time.

His comic sound effect bubbles always appeared dark pink.

His first appearance on the show was in Series 1, Episode 1, when he made a black sellotape picture of Laurel and Hardy. His last appearance was in Series 7, Episode 16, when he planted some seeds in his garden.

For Series 1 Smart Arty created big pictures out of everyday objects, which Neil already did for his "Big Art Attacks" in Art Attack. For Series 2 to Series 7, he would use his magic pen to bring things to life and he got up to all sorts of stuff. He also had his magic paint which he used in some Series 2 and Series 3 episodes.

He is also a friend of Cuthbert Lilly and made a few cameos in his sketches mostly helping him solve problems such as photography and painting. He also appeared in one sketch starring Daisy Dare.

Appearance and Character traits
Smart Arty wore a blue smock (covered in paint stains) along with a black bow tie and a black beret.

His main trait was admiring his work after he had finished by doing a kissing motion with his hands, it would appear on screen as "Kiss Kiss Kiss"

Reception
Smart Arty is a fondly remembered character and many fans missed him when he was replaced by Minnie the Mini Magician. He also appeared as a cardboard cutout in 1998 in the CITV studio.

Trivia

 * The character was never acknowledged as being French, but due to his appearance it was automatically assumed that he was.


 * Smart Arty did not appear in every single episode. Although he starred in the 2nd titles of Series 4, he did not star in all of them due to Neil's wife having his 1st child.


 * When Smart Arty appeared in a Daisy Dares sketch in 1996, it was filmed in Chequers Shopping Centre in Maidstone, Kent. This was where the opening titles for the first series was filmed.


 * The music that accompanied Smart Arty's sketches was Boccherini's Menuet and Trio, from his String Quartet in E.


 * Smart Arty's sketches, along with those from "The Handymen", also appeared in the show, It's Itsy Bitsy Time! where the segment is renamed "Art to Art with Arty Art."