The 26-year-old Thirroul-based artist is one of 55 finalists in this year's Archibald Prize. His acrylic depiction of Phanos Proestos buying "Yeezys" was plucked from a record-breaking 1068 entries by the judges.

"He's always on the hunt for when the new lines drop," he said of his best friend's enthusiasm for the Adidas shoe.

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"Phanos is really special to me as a friend, that's what made me most happy [about being a finalist] - that we can share in this together."

The prestige that comes with the award was welcomed, but the creative was equally as "stoked" by the fact his work would be on public exhibition and thousands would get to see this "eccentric and interesting character".

Mr Santoro first met the fellow artist and musician at the College of Fine Arts in 2013, and now play in the punk rock outfit Solid Effort together.

He said the sneaker-loving Proestos had been immortalised in many of his works previously, but never as a stand alone portrait until now.

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This year signals his debut into the Archibald Prize, but in 2019, a colourful painting of Hewitt's Avenue in Thirroul earned Mr Santoro a finalist spot in the Sulman Prize. (genre, subject or mural)

The Sulman - awarded for genre, subject or mural - coincides with the beloved Archies and also the Wynne Prize (landscape or figurative sculpture).

Finalists for all were announced on Thursday, with 2020 marking the eighth time for inclusion in the Sulman Prize for another Illawarra artist, Paul Ryan.

Three tracksuit-doting men posing in front of a old Ford Falcon, titled "Three Imaginary Boys", was one of 18 to make the final cut.

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A record number of entries were received for all three awards this year, totalling 2565 entries, beating the 2012 record of 2276.

The winner of the 99^th Archibald Prize will be announced on Friday, with the winning painting to be exhibited with finalists from all prizes at the Art Gallery of NSW from September 26 to January 10.

Finalists in the Archibald will also tour to regional Queensland and New South Wales in 2021, which includes a six-week run at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery.

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