Short Description
The Royal Institute of Oil Painters was founded in 1882 and is the only major British art society that promotes and exhibits work of the highest standard exclusively in oil paint. The ROI Annual Exhibition features work by many exciting emerging painters alongside the work of more established names.
A single-stage online judging of all submitted works will take place, after which selected works should be delivered to Mall Galleries, London, for inclusion in the exhibition.
Works on a Theme: HOME
This year’s special theme is ‘HOME’ – for which The ROI Themed Painting Prize is on offer to the best interpretation. However, the theme is optional, one aspect of a larger exhibition, to which oil paintings of all subjects are welcome.
Successful applicants can expect:
- To have their selected work included in the ROI Annual Exhibition at Mall Galleries, in the gallery, and online
- Eligibility to win prizes and awards
- An invitation to the Private View
- The chance to sell their work
- To be part of a network of exhibiting artists dating back to 1882 when the ROI was founded
- The possibility of election to membership (for more information about becoming a member, please visit the ROI website)
Eligibility
- Any artist aged 18 or over may enter, from anywhere in the world.
- Oils. The ROI promotes and exhibits work of the highest standard in oil paint.
- Water-soluble oil paint is acceptable if framed as an oil, so as not to spoil the general appearance of the exhibition.
- Acrylic is no longer accepted.
- Artists must submit work that has been completed within the last three years and must not have been previously exhibited at Mall Galleries.
- Submitted artworks must not be submitted to other competitions or exhibitions taking place between 9 June and 16 December 2025.
- Works should be no larger than 2.4m along the longest dimension.
- All works must be an original creation by the artist.
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
The Roger Remington Award
£4,000 for an outstanding painting
Winsor & Newton Young Artist Award | First Prize
£1,000 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials for an artist aged 30 or under
Winsor & Newton Young Artist Award | Second Prize
£600 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials for an artist aged 30 or under
Winsor & Newton Young Artist Award | Third Prize
£400 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials for an artist aged 30 or under
The Peter Wileman Award
£500 for an imaginative work
The ROI Themed Painting Prize
£500 for the standout painting on the theme of ‘HOME’
The Stanley Grimm Prize
Two awards totalling £700 (first prize £400, second prize £300), to the painters whose works receive the most votes from visitors to the exhibition
The Menena Joy Schwabe Memorial Award
An award of £250 for an outstanding oil painter
The ROI Emerging Artist Prize
A prize of £250 and the opportunity to spend a day with one of the Institute’s members, for an artist aged 30 or under
The Rosemary Brushes Award
For expressive brushwork, a voucher for £250 worth of Rosemary & Co Artist Brushes
The Small Painting Prize
An award of £250 for the best small painting on display (maximum dimension of 30.5 cm, excluding frame)
The Tony Merrick Memorial Prize
An award of £250 in memory of Tony Merrick ROI (1948-2018)
Winsor & Newton Non-member Award
£150 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials
Art Academy London Award
A prize of a term’s worth of life drawing classes (worth £125) for an outstanding emerging painter
The Artist Magazine Award
The winning artist will be featured in a forthcoming issue of The Artist magazine, print and digital editions
The Dry Red Press Award
The winning work will be published as a greetings card by Dry Red Press in their ‘Prize Winners’ range
Frank Herring Easel Award
An award of a versatile easel
The Le Clerc Fowle Medal
In memory of Anne Le Clerc Fowle, presented annually for an outstanding group of paintings
The Dartington Crystal Chalice
Presented to a member in recognition of outstanding service and contribution
Entry Fee
There is a non-refundable submission fee of £20 per work, or £14 per work for artists aged 35 or under.
Location
London, United Kingdom
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 10 October 2025
Website Link: https://www.mallgalleries.org.uk/open-calls/royal-institute-oil-painters
