Royal Society of Portrait Painters Annual Exhibition 2027

About this call

The Royal Society of Portrait Painters invites artists anywhere in the world to submit portraits for its annual exhibition at Mall Galleries, London, shown alongside work by the Society's members. Submissions are open from November 2, 2026 to February 2, 2027. The prize fund is over £35,000: The William Lock Portrait Prize of £20,000 for the most timeless portrait with a real feeling for paint, with two special mention prizes of £2,500; the Almenara Collection Award, a £5,000 purchase prize for a work for sale at no more than £5,000; The Faringdon Prize of £5,000 for the most distinguished drawing; The de Laszlo Foundation Award of £3,000 for an artist aged 35 or under, plus four £500 Highly Commended awards; the Raw Umber Studios Prize of £2,000; the RP Prize of £2,000 for the best small portrait (no more than 38 x 30.5 cm unframed); and £1,000 of Daler-Rowney materials (prizes subject to final confirmation). Selected artists are invited to the Private View, may sell work or receive commissions, and may apply for membership of the Society. The exhibition runs May 6 to 15, 2027.

Who can apply

• Open to applicants of any nationality
• Medium: Painting / Drawing / Printmaking
• Entry fee: £22
• Open to artists aged 18 or over from anywhere in the world. Paintings, drawings and original prints (including digital/iPad prints) are accepted; sculpture and photography are not. Works should be based on a sitting or study of the human figure from life (photographs may assist, but the primary source should be from life), completed in the last three years, not previously exhibited in London, and no larger than 2.4m along the longest dimension. Up to four works per artist, of which up to three may be selected. Fee: £22 per work, or £14.50 per work for artists aged 35 or under, non-refundable. Entries are made online through the Open Exhibition Submission System: one JPEG or PNG image under 5MB showing the complete work, up to two optional detail images, and the title, medium, size (cm), year of completion and price (if for sale) of each work. Pre-selected works are delivered unwrapped to Mall Galleries on February 27, 2027 for final selection, except from international artists, who are selected online only and ship work only if selected. Works for sale must be priced at least £300 (framed prints £180, unframed prints £120), including 45% commission plus VAT. Artists without a UK residence must register for a UK VAT number before Receiving Day. Frames or stretchers must take mirror plates with 12mm screws; plain, simple framing is advised, and metal frames, unprotected glass edges and clip frames are not accepted. Artists cover delivery and collection costs.