Royal Society of Portrait Painters
Submit up to four portrait paintings, drawings, or original prints based on the human figure from life for consideration in the annual exhibition.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- annual cycle, check dates
- Entry fee
- Not listed - check the source
- Award
- $40,000
- Location
- Mall Galleries, London
- Exhibition window
- May 7, 2026 → May 19, 2026
- Applicants notified
- Mar 3, 2026
- Size cap
- ≤ 94.48" max dimension
About
Overview
The Royal Society of Portrait Painters invites artists worldwide to submit portraits for its annual exhibition. The society welcomes paintings, drawings and original prints from artists aged 18 and over. Selected artists will have their work exhibited at Mall Galleries, London, where works may sell and commissions may be placed.
Key Dates
- Submissions open: Monday 3 November 2025, 12 noon
- Submissions close: Tuesday 3 February 2026, 12 noon
- Notification of pre-selection: Wednesday 11 February, 12 noon
- Receiving Day (if pre-selected): Saturday 28 February, 10am to 5pm
- Notification of final selection: Tuesday 3 March, 12 noon
- Exhibition opens: Thursday 7 May, 10am to 5pm
- Exhibition closes: Tuesday 19 May, 5pm
Eligibility
Any artist aged 18 or over may enter from anywhere in the world. Works should be based on a sitting or study of the human figure from life. Works must have been completed in the last three years and not previously exhibited in London. Sculpture and photography are not admissible.
Media & Requirements
The society welcomes paintings, drawings and original prints, including digital/iPad prints. Works should not be larger than 2.4m along the longest dimension. All works must be an original creation by the artist.
Submission Process
All work must be submitted online through the Open Exhibition Submission System (OESS). Upload one image per submission in JPEG or PNG format under 5MB. Two optional additional detail images may be submitted. Also provide the title, medium, size (cm), year of completion, and price if for sale per work.
Prizes & Awards
- The William Lock Portrait Prize: £20,000 plus two runner-up prizes of £500 each
- The Almenara Collection Award: £5,000 purchase prize
- The Faringdon Prize: £5,000 for the most distinguished drawing
- de Laszlo Foundation Award: £3,000 for artist aged 35 or under, plus four Highly Commended awards of £500 each
- Raw Umber Studios Prize: £2,000
- RP Prize for the Best Small Portrait: £2,000 for portraits not more than 38 x 30.5 cm unframed
- Daler-Rowney Materials Prize: Materials to the value of £1,000
Submission Limits
Artists may enter a maximum of four works, from which up to three works per artist may be selected.
International Artists
All international submissions will be selected online only. International artists will need to ship their work to the gallery if selected, on a date to be announced.
- Award
- Total prize fund over £40,000 including The William Lock Portrait Prize (£20,000), The Almenara Collection Award (£5,000), The Faringdon Prize (£5,000), de Laszlo Foundation Award (£3,000), Raw Umber Studios Prize (£2,000), RP Prize for Best Small Portrait (£2,000), and Daler-Rowney Materials Prize (£1,000 value)
- Entries per artist
- Up to 4
- Theme
- Portrait paintings, drawings, and prints of the human figure based on life study.
- Eligibility
- Any artist aged 18 or over from anywhere in the world; works must be based on a sitting or study of the human figure from life and completed in the last three years.
- Audience
- Artists aged 18 and over, from the UK and internationally
- Size & format
- Works should not be larger than 2.4m along the longest dimension.
- Format
- Ship your work in
- Also worth noting
- Works should not be larger than 2.4m along the longest dimension.
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.