Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour - 142nd Annual Exhibition

The 142nd Open Annual Exhibition of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour has opened at the Royal Scottish Academy building on the Mound in Edinburgh. 

RWS website

The purpose of the annual exhibition is to 

• showcase the best painting in Scotland in watercolour and water-based media.
• exhibit over 300 paintings by RSW members and other artists who responded to the call for open submissions from Scotland, the UK and around the world. 

For those of you like me who can't visit in person, you can see the artwork selected for this exhibition in the virtual exhibition which can be accessed via the website.

I'm going to highlight below the artwork which "jumped off the screen" at me.

• Heroes by Anita Barley FLS
• Arran from High Auchoirk by Jim Dunbar PRSW RWS RGI
• And listened for the sound of birds (Clermont Ferrand, France) by David Forster RSW
• Lunga Garden and the Sound of Shuna by Jennifer Irvine RGI RSW
• A September Field Edge by David E Johnston RSW
• Early Rain, North Uist by Susan Macintosh
• The Promise by Angus McEwen RSW RWS RGI
• Low Mist Kilchurn Castle by Hazel Nagl RWS RGI PAI
• The Ornithologist by Ian Ritchie RSW
• On the Incoming Tide by Ruth Thomas RSW
• November Hawes with Winter Thrushes by Darren Woodhead SWLA

What I found very confusing was that the online exhibition works in a very peculiar way. So, for example, I know I saw Anita Barley's work - because I wrote it down - but now cannot find it again! It's very confusing.....

In addition, it's just one artwork per artist online - so we don't see all 300+ paintings which are in the exhibition. Which is a pity....

141st Annual Exhibition of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour: DEADLINE TODAY

Today is the deadline for entries for the 141st Annual Exhibition of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour. 

Below are the basics you need to know for anybody who wants to enter

The Exhibition - which will be the largest exhibition of waterbed artwork in Scotland this year - will be held

• AT: Scottish National Galleries (Upper Galleries); The Mound, Edinburgh
• ON: 11th December 2021– 27th December 2021

Information Pack for the Open Entry:  RSWOpen Entrants Pack 141st

The RSW believes that painting using thin films of water based pigment is a unique skill, the mastery of which confirms the painter's commitment to their art. For the viewer, the primacy of such skill conveys a particular richness, and for those who use the medium themselves, the art watercolour provides a direct inspiration.

To this end, in our membership, exhibitions, prize giving and all other activities we will curate to promote this singular and beautiful technique.

Deadline for Entries: Works may now be submitted online until midnight on 30th October for Stage 1 selection at: rsw.oess1.uk

Who can enter: artists working in the UK

What can you enter: 

• Nature of Works: All works must be in a water based medium on paper. Works submitted must be framed, suitably presented and able to be hung. Any unsuitable presentation may prejudice the hanging of a painting.
• Inadmissable: Works which have already been shown in Edinburgh in an open Exhibition 
• Number of Works: Non Members may submit up to 2 works
• Maximum size: 1 up to 48” x 48” including frame (122 cm) plus 1 unlimited size

How to enter: Works may now be submitted online until midnight on 30th October for Stage 1 selection at: rsw.oess1.uk

Sales and commission: All exhibitors will be charged a commission of 40% on the sale price of work sold in the Exhibition.

Dates: 

• Art Work Delivery: Sunday 28th & Monday 29th November 2021, 10.30 – 4.30 
• Collection of Unselected works: Saturday 4th December 2021, 2 – 4pm 
• Private View: Friday 10th December 2021 2 – 4pm
• Exhibition Opens to Public: Saturday 11th December 2021, 10am
• Exhibition closes: Monday 27th December 2021
• Collection of unsold work: Wednesday 29th & Thursday 30th December 10.30 – 4.30

Note this condition:

Anyone selected to submit work to the gallery must adhere to the COVID safety guidelines as laid down by the Scottish Government, National Galleries and RSW. It should be presumed that a face mask/covering will be necessary when delivering work. Failure to comply with the guidelines will result in the work not being accepted.