The Royal Society of Marine Artists presents a series of special events to complement the RSMA Annual Exhibition 2024:
The following RSMA members will be demonstrating on selected days during the Exhibition.
Please come along to watch, ask questions etc...
Glazing & Limited Palettes
Thursday 19 September
10am to 12 noon
Join Greg Ramsden ARSMA for a demo where he will explore the use of glazing and the art of colour restraint within his work.
Greg will share his thoughts on composition and work through the thought process behind the use of a limited colour palette.
President's Tour
Thursday 19 September
12 noon
Join the President of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, John Scott Martin, for a tour of the RSMA Annual Exhibition 2024.
Atmospheric Coastal Light
Thursday 19 September
2pm to 4pm
Jenny Aitken RSMA will demonstrate atmospheric coastal light.
Jenny's connection to the sea means that her work brims with appreciation for our coastlines, as she captures the movement, light, and colours of the ocean.
Sailing in Watercolour
Thursday 19 September
3pm to 5pm
Srirangam Mohankumar ARSMA intends to demonstrate a sailing subject in watercolour.
Kumar's specialisation is watercolour painting. In this area he shows an instinctive mastery of skill and economy which has been recognised, appreciated and rewarded.
He uses a direct technique, which has been compared to that of Winslow Homer.
Light, Reflections and Water(colour)
Friday 20 September
10am to 12 noon
Mark Buck ARSMA will be showing how to capture light, reflections and water in watercolour.
The aim is to create that feeling of dancing reflections in a harbour setting with Schmincke watercolours on St Cuthberts Millford Paper.
Painting in Oils
Friday 20 September
2pm to 4pm
Patsy Moore ARSMA will paint in oils, a scene typical of her favoured subject matter: marine.
She says, "As I'm not a speedy painter, I shall bring a canvas, already marked out and underpainted. During the two hours, I shall be happy to paint, chat my way through my usual process and materials used, and answer questions as we go along."
Artist Talk: Painting Ships from History
Saturday 21 September
2:30pm onwards
Four celebrated members of the Royal Society of Marine Artists discuss their approaches to this ever popular subject.
The talk will be illustrated with many images of their paintings, and followed by an opportunity for questions.
Speakers: Geoffrey Huband on Narrative in painting, Geoff Hunt on Nelson's sailing navy, Mark Myers on Historic sail and exploration and Paul Wright on The age of iron and steel.
Introduced by John Scott Martin, President of the RSMA.
Free with gallery admission (£5), booking required.
Sizing Up | Plein Air Painting
Wednesday 25 September
10am to 12 noon
Christopher Slater ARSMA will work from a small plein air painting of a Cornish beach (10 x 12 ins), enlarging it to 20 x 24 inches and incorporating figures in oils.
After studying Fine Art at Sheffield University, Christopher worked as an Illustrator before a visit to an exhibition of Modern Impressionists moved him towards working en plein air.
Catching the Light
Thursday 26 September
10:30am to 12:30pm
Roger Dellar PS RI ROI ARSMA will demonstrate catching the light with a limited palette.
Roger's enjoyment of painting is the process rather than the end result. It is about finding the subject and letting it emerge. He likes to work with a limited palette adding a few brights for emphasis.
Studies to Studio
Thursday 26 September
2pm to 4pm
Roger Dellar PS RI ROI ARSMA will demonstrate how to develop small plein air studies into larger studio pieces.
Roger works from life and in the studio, and uses one of the following: oil, pastel, watercolour or gouache. He uses a sketchbook for gaining information if he is out and wishing to travel light. A large proportion of his work is created by painting a series of small oils on location and developing them later into larger, more considered pieces.
The following Awards will be presented at the 2024 RSMA Exhibition (subject to confirmation)
Each year a number of prizes are awarded. Most of the prize-winners are selected by the companies or individuals sponsoring the award.
We are most grateful for the continuing support of all our sponsors.
BAE Systems Naval Ships Award
For the best work capturing the story of British Shipbuilding – People, Ships and Shipyards. The work will capture some of the rich history in British shipbuilding through the ages and looking into the future with particular focus on people, skilled crafts, trades and emerging technologies. The work will embody the characters and passion of the British shipbuilding community and bring to life the essence of this historic British industry.
Value: £5,000.
The Baltic Exchange Award
For an outstanding work related to the maritime industry, selected by the Society’s President and the Chairman of the Baltic Exchange. Including works related to trade (ports, cargo vessel, etc), ship building, safety at sea, the crew, the RNLI or NCI. The Baltic is an historic membership organisation at the heart of the international shipping industry, providing services relied upon by shipping markets worldwide
Value: £2,000.
The Murray's Commercial Fishing Award
For a work in any medium depicting commercial fishing.
Value: £500 for the first prize and £100 for the second.
The Sea Pictures Gallery Award
Two prizes of £500 for a work of distinction by an RSMA member and non-member.
Value: £500
The Kenneth Denton Award
For a work on the theme ‘The Sea in all its Moods’, Made possible by the generosity of late member Kenneth Denton.
Value: £500.
The Charles Pears Award
For an outstanding work, in any medium by a non-member. To be judged by the RSMA Selection Committee.
Value: £500.
Robert Abraham Memorial Prize
For the best oil painting by a full member of the RSMA at the bequest of the late member Lorraine Abraham. The annual award is dedicated to her husband Robert.
Value: £500.
The RSMA Award for the Best Small Painting
For a work in any medium measuring no more than 30 cm (12”) along its longest length (excluding frame). Made possible by the generosity of a member.
Value: £300.
The RSMA New Generation Award
Awarded by the Society, the successful artist will receive £250. Open to all artists aged 35 or under at the close of submissions.
Value: £250.
The Winsor and Newton Oil Prize
For a notable oil painting.
Value: £250 worth of Winsor & Newton materials to be chosen by the winner.
The Topbond Marine Award
For works depicting marine engineering or construction activities in harbours, estuaries or marine waters within the UK.
Value: £250.
The Marine Quarterly "Sea from Seaward" Prize
For a painting of a boat or ship as seen from the seaward that demonstrates individuality of technique, viewpoint and interpretation. The winning work may be featured as the cover image on a future issue of the publication.
Value: £100.
The Classic Boat Prize
The winner will receive a year’s subscription to Classic Boat and a profile feature in Classic Boat Magazine
Value: Year’s subscription to Classic Boat and a profile feature in the magazine.
The Artist Magazine Award
For the most deserving work, as judged by the Magazine. The winner will be interviewed for a feature in The Artist magazine, print and digital edition.
Value: Feature article in The Artist magazine.
NEW COMPETITION - National Historic Ships - Afloat-or-Ashore Painting Competition - £1,000 First Prize plus other great awards to be won.
The Royal Society of Marine Artists
The Royal Society of Marine Artists is the focal point for much of Britain's finest contemporary marine art, and many of the country's leading marine artists are elected Members of the Society.
This country is an island nation with a proud maritime heritage. The coastline of Britain and its principal islands measures some 19,400 miles, presenting a wide variety of often spectacular scenery.
The sea is part of who we are as a nation. It is this heritage and this environment that we aim to celebrate.
Whilst much of our work is representational in the broadest sense, our styles, choice of subject matter and painting medium vary enormously. Some of our Members specialise in thoroughly researched historical subjects, others capture the thrill of modern yacht racing; some enjoy muddy creeks and quiet harbours, others find beauty in super-tankers and cargo vessels; some find inspiration on the deep sea, others explore what's under the sea.
But no matter what we paint, or in what style, no matter whether we paint en plein-air or in the studio, the sea is always our main source of inspiration.
The Royal Society of Marine Artists
17 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5BD.
Telephone: 020 7930 6844
Registered Charity No. 289944