Last Call for Entries for Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours Annual Exhibition 2026

You have 4 DAYS LEFT to submit an entry to the OPEN Annual Exhibition 2026 of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours.

Alongside the work of its elected members, leading figures in contemporary watercolour and water-based media, the RI welcomes both emerging and established artists who push the boundaries of the medium through traditional and experimental approaches.

 

Why enter this exhibition?

• This is the biggest exhibition dedicated to paintings in water colours in the UK.
• around 50% of the artworks are from the Open Submission

The exhibition is the largest of its kind, featuring over 400 of the finest works from around the world.

• displays a wide diversity in approaches to paintings using watercolour media and subject matter - from traditional to the more contemporary.
• although more contemporary artwork has a lower profile in the show and tends to favour acrylic and mixed media.
• relatively little of what I tend to term the "can't draw, can't paint, won't sell" school of painting which lacks application to both concept and craft

The overall impression is that most of the artists in the show, on the whole, are very much more inclined to paint natural scenes associated with the outdoors - and have a distinct preference for more traditional media.

To be more precise, last year:

• more than a third paint landscapes or cityscapes
• just under 20% painted portraits and human figures
• 14% painted still life and interiors
• less than 10% painted Marine and Coastal OR Wildlife and Animals OR other topics.
• very few people created abstract paintings

This is worth a study - in terms of what subjects get painted in what media
(from my review of the 2025 exhibition - see link above)

 

Call for Entries for RI Annual Exhibition 2026

The deadline for entries for the 214th Exhibition of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours is 2pm on Friday 23 January 2026

• Information about how to enter starts on the Mall Galleries website
• Submission is via the OESS website
• There is a single-stage virtual judging process for ALL submitted works.
• Selected works should be delivered to Mall Galleries, London, for inclusion in the exhibition by Saturday 16th March (10am-5pm)
• The Annual Exhibition opens on 25 March and closes on 11 April 2026

Who can enter

LAOTY: A video all about the Pods!

This is a fabulous new (Instagram) video about the PODS from the Landscape Artist of the Year team at Storyvault Films (who make the programme) - highlighting:

• the Production Designer Bruce French - who is responsible for the design of the pods and how they work
• the Pods and how they work

This post also takes a look at:

• some of the places the pods have been - across the UK and Ireland
• what a production designer is
• who is Bruce French?

The Pods Video

It's a fabulous short video giving your a very nearly complete insight into what they have to do and how they work (obviously somethings are "secret").

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sky Arts Artist Of The Year (@artistoftheyear)

 

 The Pods in Action - in the UK and Ireland

The Pods at Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire

See SERIES 4: Episode 1 

• Review: Episode 1 of Landscape Artist of the Year (Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire) 

The Pods at Felixstowe Docks

See Series 4: Semi Final

• Review: Semi-Finals of Landscape Artist of the Year 2018 - Felixstowe Docks

Review: Episode 1 of Landscape Artist of the Year Series 11 (2026) - Derwent Water

This is the first of my (very long) reviews of the eleventh series of Landscape Artist of the Year in 2026. I've watched and reviewed every series of Landscape Artist of the Year since 2018. 

This review follows the same format of my other reviews and considers.

• the location and weather
• the artists' profiles
• themes arising during the episode
• who was shortlisted and who won

However I do have a couple of important preambles and information about the commission before we start.

If you want to make sure you get every review of every episode in this series, might I suggest you review my page about how to subscribe - absolutely for free.

Preamble - about the "Landscape Artist of the Year" programme

The episodes are broadcast at 8pm every Wednesday evening on Sky Arts (on Freeview Channel 36 and Sky and Now TV).

• The Series has 9 episodes - at 9 different locations in total (6 Heats + semi-final + Final + Commission)
• Six Heats are held at each of the six locations which were filmed last summer in the 
• Lake District (Derwent Water and one other location)
• London (St James Park and The Thames from HMS Wellington, London)
• Dover (Dover Castle, Kent and Dover Ferry Point, Kent)
• as has happened in the past there are urban structures than landscapes.
• 48 artists are selected from "c.2,000 applications" (they always say this and I'm not sure I believe them).
• Each selected artist arrives with their submission landscape (which I will keep coming back to repeatedly regarding its importance)
• Eight of these artists compete in each heat on location in a pod 
• Each artist has 4 hours to paint the location landscape the artists are given - from the pod they are assigned (unless you rebel as some have done in the past - and turn round / wander off / etc!)
• 50 wildcard artists also attend each heat - although we see very little of them
• Three pod artists are shortlisted and their submission artwork and heat painting are considered together
• The Judges have changed since the last series - see below
• the winner of each heat moves forward to the semi-finals
• The Semi Final and Final look as if they will be at two very big structures
• The Ouse Valley Viaduct, West Sussex
• Falkirk Wheel, Scotland
• In the Semi-Final all the heat winners and one or more wildcard winners will compete for the three places in the final
• The three Finalists produce two paintings - a commission (prior to the final) and a painting in the Final - in 4 hours. 
• One artist is chosen as Landscape Artist of the Year
• The Winner receives a £10,000 commission to produce a landscape artwork for a nationally important museum or art gallery 

The Series 11 Commission

The £10,000 Commission Prize for 2026 is to create a landscape of Ireland's Holy Mountain, the pyramid shaped Croagh Patrick - an important pilgrimage site in County Mayo, in Ireland.

Croagh Patrick in County Mayo, Ireland - the subject of the commission

Croagh Patrick, nicknamed 'the Reek', is a mountain with a height of 764 m and an important site of pilgrimage in County Mayo, Ireland. The mountain has a pyramid-shaped peak and overlooks Clew Bay, rising above the village of Murrisk, several kilometres from Westport. It has long been seen as a holy mountain.

The painting commissioned (by Sky Arts) will be on view in The National Gallery in Dublin after the series finishes being broadcast in Spring 2026.

What we need to know about the Commission

THE VERY BIG QUESTION FOR ME

Do the Judges KNOW what the commission subject is going to be when the heats start and they start selecting "the best artist"? 

• I would have thought you would have to - in order to be able to make sensible decisions for the "client commission". Note that I'm working on a "horses for courses" principle here. (i.e. you're probably NOT going to choose a portrait artist for a major landscape commission. However within landscapes, people also have preferences - expressed by their output eg urban vs rural; structures vs land) 
• Surely - in principle - EVERY finalist ought to be somebody who could do a very good job of the commission?
• However, a recent conversation I had suggested that might NOT be the case.....

I think this is something that needs to be spelt out.... 

Maybe in this next series being filmed this summer...???

Surely the whole scope (the locations) and intent (who are the best artists?) of the ENTIRE LAOTY Series should be focused on who is the best artist to deliver the Commission?

You would think so wouldn't you.....?

Preamble - about my reviews

Kate Bryan is no longer a Judge for Artist of the Year

You, like me, may have missed the announcement from Kate Bryan that she has stepped down from being a Judge for Artist of the Year Programmes created by Storyvault Films for Sky Arts.  She's been a Judge for both series for 13 years.

• That's Portrait Artist of the Year 
• as well as Landscape Artist of the Year - which was announced last June - see A new Judge for Landscape Artist of the Year!

The announcement came via a post on her Instagram account (see below) - and NOT via the Artist of the Year account.  Which I thought very odd. Normally any well planned announcement goes live contemporaneously. 

(The latter was of course in the middle of its social media marketing in the week run up to the launch of the 11th Series of Landscape Artist of the Year - and you don't "pull focus" on one of your major social media plans!)

Here's the text of the announcement

Post on Kate Bryan's Instagram account 5 days ago (Sunday?)

What's very unclear is what's next

I'd love to know the reason why....

It's a Goodbye rather than a See You All Later.

Given the timing, I wounder whether it might be linked to an annual renewal of a contract - or not as the case might be.

People normally have a plan, a Grand Plan or at the very least a "to do" list before jumping ship.  However, based on her website and Instagram, it's unclear what Kate Bryan's is - as her message above says nothing. Her website also needs a major update. 

So my queries start with:

• Does her Curatorship of the  ever growing Art Collection for Soho House now require more of her time
• Is she trimming and refining her portfolio of interests and client and making them more focused and profitable?
• Is there something completely new in the offing?
• Does she want to spend more time with her daughter?

I have found one thing - and I can well understand why this might be thought of as a bit of a conflict of interests.

There is a new art competition - and I can do no better than to quote from the news I found. Although this was announced last November - with few ripples hence I've only just found it.

A collaborative competition between Hisense and VIDAA Artwork is being run in partnership with Portrait Artist of the Year and Landscape Artist of the year judge Kate Bryan

Launched by TV manufacturer Hisense, the contest has one top prize of £1,000 and a 55” Hisense Canvas TV. The winning piece - along with those of 19 other finalists - will be unveiled at an exclusive exhibition at Dolby House in London.

All 20 creations will then be showcased on Hisense’s new Canvas TV, a 4K QLED television designed to resemble framed artwork. When switched to Art Mode, it turns any living room into a gallery.
Daily Mirror 14 November 2025

Whatever the reasons, Kate Bryan is no more in relation to Artist of the Year. She was my least favourite Judge, by a long way and for a variety of reasons which I won't spell out here.

PLEASE can the next Judge be an active portrait artist

It will be interesting to see who replaces her on Portrait Artist of the Year which kicks off in April.

I can think of any number of portrait artists who would do extremely well in the role.

I'm very happy to make recommendations of people I know who are

• excellent portrait artists;
• with good critical faculties - specifically related to portraiture and commissions; 
• who are also articulate; and 
• "perform" well in front of cameras.

There's another important criteria which I'd be happy to spell out to Storyvault Films.

Readers' Comments on The Great Pottery Throwdown

Yesterday I hoped my commentary How Pottery Throwdown is a better programme than Artist of the Year might have some resonance with readers of my blog.

I was surprised to see how very many thought 

• my analysis was spot on
• offered a few more views of their own.

So today is a READERS SPECIAL. Below you'll find comments left on my post when it was published on my Facebook Page yesterday

There were a number of themes - and I've organised the comments under the themes. Any emboldened comments are due to me highlighting them in bold.

Participating Potters in The Great Pottery Throwdown 2026
(Facebook 30 December 2025)

I highly recommend subscribing to The Great Pottery Throwdown Facebook Page. Always guaranteed to make you feel good!

What makes Throwdown special?

Totally agree-it’s a very skilfully put together programme, with an approach that seems very supportive and yes educational. The judges are very skilled in their field and respond with useful feedback and in a way that is positive and specific.
It’s thoughtful, gentle and actually about process and creativity and skill. Jo York Art

I totally agree with your assessment. There’s one more aspect of Throwdown that brings me joy, and that is how close the participants get to each other. There’s a real sense that they develop lifetime friendships and a community of likeminded people. And they help each other, whether it’s carrying things to the drying room, or flipping something heavy over. I remember an episode where one potter asked another for advice. The advice given was real advice, intended to really help. Diana Hume

Very much agree. I am a painter and art teacher but I prefer Throw Down to L/PAOTY. Much more interesting, educational and a pleasure to watch. Sue Bradley Artist

Plus a lot more in the section on the Judges..... 

Why the Format works

it’s mainly the format which lends itself to better showcasing the contestants’ skills (one big project which can be practiced and prepped plus a shorter test which is not revealed in advance) Hil Beavan 

The Great Pottery Throwdown is a gem! We get to know the potters over several weeks and care about them. As a group, they are so supportive of each other and the judges genuinely want them all to do well. I’m a painter, but this is my favourite programme to watch. Sarah Clark

Art versus Craft

I love the Pottery one, watch it religiously. Your comparison is spot on Katherine. I think the difference stems from the age old craft verses art problem that most people in the art world seem to suffer from, i.e. they seem to be afraid of the “craft” of art, the mastery of skills and techniques. It is almost like the magic circle, such a mysterious secret, that to really show and explain the process would not be good for the general public.  Sarah Wimperis 

The Judges

The Throwdown Judges 2026
Rich Miller and Keith Brymer Jones

Keith Brumer Jones 
25 March 2025

Last year, I had the good fortune to meet Keith Brymer Jones at Grayson Perry's exhibition at the Wallace Collection. I of course did the naff fan thing and introduced myself and said how much I enjoyed the show!

This is what you had to say.....

The warmth of the two Pottery judges of course makes a massive difference to setting the tone, and you never feel they look down their noses at anyone’s work even if it is not to their personal taste. This means that they can be straightforward about their comments, which always have a kind spin - even when something gets splatted in the Bucket of Doom! And of course they deliver their judgments directly to the contestants rather than behind the easels in a secret discussion. Hil Beavan

I love Pottery Throwdown! And how Keith gets so emotional when someone does good. He truly cares. Patty Henderson

Such kindness shown, and encouragement and I could go on….  Jane Duncan

The judges seem to care about the potters & their work &, yes, your comments about criteria for making & judging are spot on. Cath Allwood

Plus contrasting how the Judges behaved with the Judges in PAOTY/LAOTY

When they go around to each contestant during the makes, they often give helpful advice on what they see as the pitfalls to come. 

The po-faced inane utterances of the infamous trio from PAOTY and LAOTY are the very opposite. Kate Pearce

I wished that the PAOTY or LAOTY gets more detailed crit by the judges at the end. I found their cursory opinions often very vague and feels some of the artists were short changed for their efforts. I don’t see the points to show their discussion for the selections when the actual paintings were hidden from the viewers. It makes it look less serious about art than making a TV show. Yoriko Cole 

and my final word on the contrast with PAOTY/LAOTY 

You only have to read the comments on just about every review I write of every PAOTY / LAOTY episode to realise that very many viewers are very critical of the Judges. Mostly in relation to wiffle waffle language and the obscured way in which they talk about the judging.

What would be interesting is to change the judges and see if people were still critical i.e. is it the format or is it the judges? Making A Mark

About the Throwdown Judges

Here's a teeny bit about both of them. 

• They are, of course, THE REAL THING i.e. practising potters - except they make ceramics and tiles! 
• They've both been at it for a very long time - and they run their own businesses!

Keith Brymer Jones

Many people know me as the judge on the popular TV show, the Great Pottery Throw Down, but my real job, and my passion, is ceramics. I have been a ceramicist and design expert amassing both knowledge and experience for over four decades. Not only have I been successful with my own collection of ceramics, the award winning ‘Word Range’, I also work collaboratively with both British & International designers, artists illustrators & fashion houses. 

Rich Miller

Richard studied ceramics at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design, graduating in 2003 . For the last 19 years he’s been running Froyle Tiles, a handmade tile company based in Surrey. Specialising in the bespoke production of high fired stoneware tiles, they have to date carried out a range of commissions for a variety of notable architects and designers.

and should Love Productions be reading.....

At least one reader out there would like Love Productions to tackle Printmaking as well!

Although I watch all the programmes you mention TGPT is definitely my favourite. I’m not a potter but I am an artist and a printmaker and would love to see the firm behind the Pottery, Sewing Bee and Bake off tackle Printmaking- with a different technique each week and a technical challenge as well.. I think it would be interesting and informative- the general public have no idea of the work involved in producing print based artwork! Drusilla Cole, Former Senior lecturer at University of the Arts London