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Royal Society of Portrait Painters

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Royal Society of Portrait Painters

To promote the practice of and further excellence in painted portraiture

We further our aims by offering an annual exhibition and a permanent collection as showcases for contemporary portraiture; valuable prizes and a bursary for emerging talent; talks, debates and demonstrations to give insight into portraiture and a service to help anyone who would like to commission a portrait.

30/08/2026

What does portraiture mean to you?

There’s still time to put your ideas into words and enter the RP Critical Writing Prize.

We’re looking for original perspectives on contemporary portrait painting — from reflections on individual artworks and artists to wider questions around identity, representation, tradition and the role of portraiture today.

You don’t need to be an established writer. No formal qualifications or previous writing experience are required, and entry is free.

The prize offers:

£500 First Prize
Two £250 Special Mentions
Publication in the RP Annual Exhibition Catalogue 2027

Deadline: midnight, 2 November 2026

If portraiture sparks a question, an argument or an idea you’ve been wanting to explore, this is your opportunity to develop it.

Find out more and enter at www.therp.co.uk or via the link in our bio.

Images:

28/08/2026

Drawing Prize Exhibition 2026...

Open to the public:
Friday 18 Sept – Sunday 18 Oct 2026

University of Hull Art Gallery

The entries may be in, but the opportunity to experience the work is still to come. We look forward to welcoming you this autumn.

www.therp.co.uk

Image:

25/08/2026

DON’T MISS THE NEW DEADLINE — 2 NOVEMBER 2026

Entries are still open for the RP Critical Writing Prize, but there’s limited time left to submit your ideas on contemporary portrait painting.

Whether you’re a writer, artist, student or simply passionate about portraiture, we want to hear your perspective.

£500 First Prize
Two £250 Special Mentions
All three winning essays published in the RP Annual Exhibition Catalogue 2027

Entry is free, with no formal qualifications or previous writing experience required.

Deadline: midnight, 2 November 2026.

Have an idea? Now’s the time to put it into words.

Enter now at www.therp.co.uk or via the link in our bio.

Image:

23/08/2026

ENTRIES ARE STILL OPEN — NEW DEADLINE: 2 NOVEMBER 2026

There’s still time to enter the RP Critical Writing Prize and share your perspective on one of art’s most enduring genres.

We’re inviting writers, artists, students and anyone with a passion for portraiture to explore the ideas, questions and practices surrounding contemporary portrait painting.

What does portraiture mean today? How can we understand the relationship between artist and sitter, identity and representation, or tradition and contemporary practice? We’re looking for fresh, engaging and thought-provoking perspectives that contribute to the wider conversation around portraiture.

Three entrants will be shortlisted to develop their essays, with £500 awarded for the First Prize and two £250 Special Mentions.

The three winning essays will also be published in the RP Annual Exhibition Catalogue 2027, sharing your writing with an audience of artists, collectors and art enthusiasts.

There are no formal qualifications or previous writing experience required, and entry is completely free. Essays must be written in English and can explore any aspect of contemporary portrait painting.

NEW DEADLINE: Midnight, 2 November 2026

If you’ve been thinking about entering, now is the time to start developing your idea.

Find out more and submit your entry at www.therp.co.uk or via the link in our bio.

Previous winning essays are also available to read on our website for inspiration.

Image: Hero Johnson RP

21/08/2026

Entries are still open.

There’s still time to share your perspective on one of art’s most enduring genres through the RP Critical Writing Prize.

We’re looking for fresh, engaging ideas on contemporary portrait painting, whether you’re a writer, artist, student or simply passionate about portraiture.

With a £500 First Prize and two £250 Special Mentions, the three winning essays will also be published in the RP Annual Exhibition Catalogue 2027.

New deadline: midnight, 2 November 2026.

No formal qualifications or previous writing experience are required, and entry is free.

Find out more and enter at www.therp.co.uk or via the link in our bio.

Images:

19/08/2026

The open call may be over, but the RP Drawing Prize Exhibition 2026 is just getting started.

This autumn, we’ll be bringing together a selection of exceptional contemporary drawings at the University of Hull Art Gallery, showcasing the diverse ways artists explore portraiture and the human subject through drawing.

With up to 120 works selected by our distinguished panel of judges, the exhibition will feature a compelling range of approaches, from powerful and expressive drawings to works that challenge and expand our understanding of portraiture.

The exhibition will also celebrate this year’s prize winners, including the £5,000 RP Drawing Prize, the De Laszlo Foundation award, the Daler-Rowney Materials Prize and the Almenara Collection Prize.

Open to the public:
Friday 18 September – Sunday 18 October 2026

University of Hull Art Gallery

The entries may be in, but the opportunity to experience the work is still to come. We look forward to welcoming you this autumn.

Find out more at www.therp.co.uk or via the link in our bio.

Image: Alan Flood, '97th Birthday'

17/08/2026

NEW DEADLINE: 2 NOVEMBER 2026

There’s still time to enter the RP Critical Writing Prize, but the new deadline is fast approaching.

We’re looking for fresh and original perspectives on contemporary portrait painting. Whether you’re a writer, artist, student or simply passionate about portraiture, this is an opportunity to develop your ideas and contribute to the wider conversation around one of art’s most enduring genres.

Three entrants will be shortlisted to develop their essays, with £500 awarded for the First Prize and two £250 Special Mentions.

All three winning essays will be published in the RP Annual Exhibition Catalogue in May 2027, reaching an audience of artists, collectors and art enthusiasts.

Entry is free, there is no age limit, and no formal qualifications or previous writing experience are required. Essays must be written in English and can explore any aspect of contemporary portrait painting.

The new deadline is midnight, 2 November 2026 — don’t miss your chance to enter.

Find out more and submit your entry at www.therp.co.uk or via the link in our bio.

Previous winning essays are also available to read for inspiration.

Image:

16/08/2026

please note our new closer DEADLINE: 2 NOVEMBER 2026!

RP Critical Writing Prize 2026...

Could you bring a fresh perspective to portrait painting? We’re inviting writers, artists, students and portrait enthusiasts to explore the ideas, practice and significance of contemporary portraiture.

£500 First Prize
Two £250 Special Mentions
All three winning essays published in the RP Annual Exhibition Catalogue 2027

Entry is free, with no age limit or formal qualifications required. Essays can explore any aspect of contemporary portrait painting and must be written in English.

Submit your entry by midnight, 2 November 2026.

Find out more and enter at www.therp.co.uk or via the link in our bio.

Previous winning essays are also available to read for inspiration.

Image:

13/08/2026

Could you bring a fresh perspective to portrait painting?

Entries are now open for the RP Critical Writing Prize, inviting new voices to explore the ideas, practice and significance of contemporary portraiture.

Whether you are a writer, artist, student or simply passionate about portrait painting, the prize offers an opportunity to develop your ideas and contribute to the wider conversation around one of art’s most enduring genres.

Three entrants will be shortlisted to complete their essays, with one awarded the £500 First Prize and two further writers receiving £250 Special Mentions.

All three winning essays will be published in the RP Annual Exhibition Catalogue in May 2027, sharing your work with an audience of artists, collectors and art enthusiasts.

Entry is free, there is no age limit, and no formal qualifications or previous writing experience are required.

Essays must be written in English and may explore any aspect of contemporary portrait painting.

Deadline: midnight, 2 December 2026

Find out more and submit your entry at www.therp.co.uk or via the link in our bio.

Previous winning essays are also available to read for inspiration.

Images: Neale Worley RP, 'Ilea', 'Varanasi man' & 'katrin'

12/08/2026

Have something to say about portraiture?

The RP Critical Writing Prize is open for entries, inviting fresh perspectives on contemporary portrait painting.

£500 First Prize
Two £250 Special Mentions
Winning essays published in the RP Annual Exhibition Catalogue, May 2027

Open to everyone — no previous writing experience or formal qualifications required.

Deadline: midnight, 2 December 2026

Enter at www.therp.co.uk or via the link in our bio.

Image: Saied Dai, 'Night song'

Address

Mall Galleries, The Mall
London
SW1

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
	9:30pm - 11:59pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
	9:30pm - 11:59pm
Friday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

020 7930 6844

Website

http://therp.co.uk/

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