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The history of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters dates back to the 1890’s.

Annie Heyworth
'Look Closely And You'll See My Father, Study My Face And You'll See My Mother's Eyes...', Coloured pencil
£1800
(100cm - 75cm Framed)

9,381

Royal Society of Portrait Painters

To promote the practice of and further excellence in painted portraiture

Royal Society of Portrait Painters

4 days ago

#callforentries:Are you a portrait artist?... we invite artists from all over the world to submit portraits for our 2026 Annual Exhibition!• Artists may enter a maximum of four works each, from which up to three works per artist may be selected.This prestigious event will take place at the Mall Galleries in London.@mallgalleries'The RP exhibition is an annual opportunity for artists who paint people to see their paintings hung alongside the work of their peers. As always, emerging and established talent is displayed together.' -Anthony Connolly, President RP🗓️Submission deadline: Tuesday 3 February 2026, 12 noonSubmit your work online: www.therp.co.ukBest of luck with your submissions!Images: Richard Foster RP, 'Painting in Romania'@richardffoster ... See MoreSee Less

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Royal Society of Portrait Painters

5 days ago

#CallForEntries:Annual Exhibition 2026 OPEN CALLWe invite artists around the world to submit portraits for its annual exhibition.One of the factors which makes this Annual Exhibition special is that it is selected exclusively by practising painters. They know what they’re looking at and so inclusion in the show is a truly meaningful accolade.-Anthony Connolly – President Here is the seventh glimpse from our exhibition selection film from our last Annual Exhibition... Lets look deeper into physicality and scale.You can see it in full on our youtube channel and website - via the links in our bio.The total prize fund is £35,000, including The William Lock Portrait Prize (£20,000). Submit your entries now!📆 Deadline: Tuesday 3 February 2026, 12 noonSubmit via the link in our bio or follow this link:www.therp.co.uk..Credits: Film by @icenistudiosArtist on the RP selection panel 2025 @anthonyconnollyrp@antonywilliams1410 @alastairadamsportraits@paul_brason_artist @simon_davies_painter@frances_bell_paintings @miriam.escofet.artist@benhopeartist @herojohnson.artist@jamieroutleyartist@michaeltaylor5863 @toby_wiggins_art @nealeworleywith thanks to the staff and technicians at @mallgalleries ... See MoreSee Less

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Royal Society of Portrait Painters

6 days ago

RP Benjamin Sullivan's two portraits of Nobel Laureates, Sir Fraser Stoddart & Richard Henderson have recently gone on display at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery as part of The Modern Portrait display... well done Ben!"This display collates some of the most recognisable modern and contemporary portraits from the national collection."-Scottish National Portrait GalleryImages: Benjamin Sullivan, 'Nobel Laureates, Sir Fraser Stoddart' & 'Richard Henderson' ... See MoreSee Less

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Royal Society of Portrait Painters

1 week ago

#callforentries:Annual Exhibition 2026 OPEN CALLWe invite artists around the world to submit portraits for its annual exhibition.Here is the sixth glimpse from our exhibition selection film from our last Annual Exhibition... where you can take a real look into the physicality of the works!You can see it in full on our youtube channel and website - via the links in our bio.What type of work is eligible? The Society welcomes paintings, drawings and original prints – including digital/iPad prints. Sculpture and photography are not admissible.Works should be based on a sitting or study of the human figure from life. We understand that artists may use photographs for assistance but the primary source should be from life.Works must have been completed in the last three years and not been exhibited in London previously.Works should not be larger than 2.4m along the longest dimension.All works must be an original creation by the artist. Submit your entries now!📆 Deadline: Tuesday 3 February 2026, 12 noonSubmit via the link in our bio or follow this link:www.therp.co.uk..Credits: Film by @icenistudiosArtist on the RP selection panel 2025 @anthonyconnollyrp@antonywilliams1410 @alastairadamsportraits@paul_brason_artist @simon_davies_painter@frances_bell_paintings @miriam.escofet.artist@benhopeartist @herojohnson.artist@jamieroutleyartist@michaeltaylor5863 @toby_wiggins_art @nealeworleywith thanks to the staff and technicians at @mallgalleries ... See MoreSee Less

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Royal Society of Portrait Painters

2 weeks ago

#callforentries:Annual Exhibition 2026 OPEN CALLWe invite artists around the world to submit portraits for its annual exhibition. We welcome paintings, drawings and original prints from artists aged 18 and over, in the UK and internationally.Here is the fifth glimpse from our exhibition selection film from our last Annual Exhibition... see further into the physical selection.You can see it in full on our youtube channel and website - via the links in our bio.• The total prize fund is £35,000, including The William Lock Portrait Prize (£20,000).Submit your entries now!📆 Deadline: Tuesday 3 February 2026, 12 noonSubmit via the link in our bio or follow this link:www.therp.co.uk..Credits: Film by @icenistudiosArtist on the RP selection panel 2025 @anthonyconnollyrp@antonywilliams1410 @alastairadamsportraits@paul_brason_artist @simon_davies_painter@frances_bell_paintings @miriam.escofet.artist@benhopeartist @herojohnson.artist@jamieroutleyartist@michaeltaylor5863 @toby_wiggins_art @nealeworleywith thanks to the staff and technicians at @mallgalleries ... See MoreSee Less

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Exhibition Catalogues

A History of Portraiture

Obituaries

Full List of Portrait Painters

Royal Society of Portrait Painters