Friday, January 03, 2025

Royal Watercolour Society - FINAL CALL for RWS OPEN

You have until midday on Monday 6th of January 2025 to submit an entry to the RWS Open 2025.

This post covers:

  • what is the RWS Open?
  • why enter the RWS Open?
  • how to enter


What is the RWS Open?

The RWS Open is run by the Royal Watercolour Society (RWS). 
It was formerly known (until recently) as the Contemporary Watercolour Competition.

The RWS chooses to invite open entries for an exhibition at the Bankside Gallery via a SEPARATE open competition rather than, as most art societies do, via an annual open exhibition dominated by artwork by members.

The RWS has FINALLY stopped calling it the "the largest open-submission water-media exhibition in the world". I'm guessing that's because I kept calling them out on this - EVERY SINGLE YEAR - because it simply isn't. My last comment on the topic being.....
I think the RWS would be well advised to read and study carefully The UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code) which is the rule book for non-broadcast advertisements, sales promotions and direct marketing communications (marketing communications).
FACT: In the UK, the annual exhibition of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours selects and exhibits far more artists via the open entry to its Annual Exhibition which is way, way bigger than anything held at the Bankside Gallery. It's such a very silly idea to boast about something which it is so easy to disprove.
Around half of the 465 artworks on display in their 2024 (RI) Exhibition ....are by non-members.
Whereas, the RWS Open in 2024 exhibited 144 paintings in total - although it never ever quotes numbers for the actual entries received and the actual number hung. Nothing like numbers to bring some reality to the situation!

Instead this year, the RWS are now saying (my underlining)
the RWS Open is one of the largest open-submission water-media exhibitions in the world, attracting thousands of submissions nationally and internationally each year.
Which is fine. So I'll now stop sniping on this topic and reserve my comments for the calibre of the artwork they select instead. 

See my Review of the RWS Open 2024 for extensive comments on the quality of the artwork.
Frankly, speaking in my best "Emperor's New Clothes" voice, some might be OK in a teenagers school art exhibition - but nothing more than that. "Scrubby" and "scruffy" were two works which came into my head as I looked at some of the artworks.

I am also total dumbfounded at some of the prices people are asking for so little work, effort and/or skill. As I often comment, one can only assume that these are works by people who have no idea what price to put on their work - and what else people can buy for that sum of money.
I'm somewhat puzzled by the calibre of the thousands of entries if the artwork that was selected and exhibited was the best on offer. 

Also if (let's say - because we don't know) 2,000 entries were received, that means that only just over 7% were selected. 

I live in hope that this potentially important open exhibition will turn a corner. 
Maybe 2025 will the year?


Why enter the RWS Open?


The primary benefit of this competition is it acts as a platform for applying for membership of the Royal Watercolour Society. 

Indeed, I'd go so far as to say don't even think about applying unless you have submitted to this competition and been selected and hung!

Other benefits are:
  • your selected artwork is hung in the RWS Open exhibition at Bankside Gallery, located next to Tate Modern on the Thames Path
  • your selected artwork will appear on the websites of the Royal Watercolour Society and the Bankside Gallery for the duration of the exhibition and afterwards
  • You can become part of a network of present and past exhibiting artists
  • If you come to London for the Private View, you get to meet Members of the RWS for networking and potential Membership proposal.
  • you are eligible to win various prizes and awards (to be announced).

Potential entrants might want to ponder on the artwork they can see online that was selected for 2024 - and what the chances are of their artwork being selected before they read on.

How to enter

These are the RWS Open Submission Guidelines.


Back in 2023, I did an an analysis of the pricing of the artwork that was exhibited and those that SOLD in the RWS Open 2023 - which I recommend that those thinking about entering might want to read - see RWS Open Exhibition 2023: Analysis of prices and sales of selected artwork

My recommendation would be to "keep it real" and don't be silly about pricing

What is eligible

The Society celebrates water media in all its forms including ink, acrylic, gouache, tempera...the list goes on.
Does it go on? Really? Water soluble oil paints? Would Leslie Worth or David Prentice have had something to say about this?

I'd just like to see traditional and proper water colours used properly - with skill and expertise

However, the submission guidelines are rather more precise.
  • Any painting where a water-based medium is the main component of the work is eligible. Paintings in watercolour, acrylic, gouache, ink, any other water-based media or a combination are accepted.
  • No prints, copies, reproductions or photographs are eligible
  • All work should be on a paper support i.e. paper, cardboard, etc (not canvas, wood, plastic or any other surface)
  • There are no limitations on style or subject matter
  • Framed works must not exceed 200 x 200cm
  • The painting must have been completed in the last 4 years from the deadline date (6th January 2025)
  • The work must have been made by the applicant
  • All work must be for sale
Interestingly it doesn't insist that all work must be the ORIGINAL work of the artist - which is a very common requirement of other open exhibitions. Mainly to avoid any copyright legal battles in relation to artists who copy photos or other people's original work.

Who can enter

The Royal Watercolour Society’s annual competition is open to all artists except elected RWS Members.
The specific requirement is "Applicants must be living and aged 18 or over on Monday 4th of November 2024".

We saw a lot of submissions by Chinese artists last year....

What does it cost to enter?


FEES: Artists may submit up to 6 paintings for a non-refundable fee:
  • 1 work £15
  • 2 works £30
  • 3 works £38 (£7 discount)
  • 4 works £47 (£13 discount)
  • 5 works £56 (£19 discount)
  • 6 works £65 (£25 discount)
Students in full time higher education can submit up to 6 works for £5 per entry (on production of a valid current student ID)

Those subscribed to the Watercolour Artist Friends Scheme at Bankside Gallery can submit for free

SALES/COMMISSION: The Gallery levies a commission of 40% + VAT on picture sales.

How to submit

You need to:
  • generate a very good digital image of your painting (For guidance and advice on how to photograph your artwork, please watch the video here.)
  • review the image on your computer and make sure it is right way up and accurately represents the artwork
  • Go to royalwatercoloursociety.co.uk/competition to access the online entry form via the Zealous platform. Complete the online form.
If you can see this image you can start the process
by creating an account on the Zealous platform

Successful entrants will be contacted by the email address provided on or before Wednesday 29th of January 2025.

The Selectors 


Check out the artwork and/or background of the Selectors. Links to their websites are embedded in their names.

REFERENCE

My past posts about this exhibition. I've been reviewing it for a long time - apart from a long period when I had to stop because I found the standard of the artwork so poor that it didn't merit my time.
Posted by Making A Mark on Friday, January 03, 2025
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