Ken Howard Autobiography Out In February

There can be few people who have done so much to promote painting in Britain than Ken Howard RA who is also a long time member of the ROI. Ken's fans - of which there are a great many  - will be pleased to know that his  autobiography is out now.

It's called Light and Dark , published by the Royal Academy Of  Arts, and out now on Amazon. You can pre-order a copy on Amazon  at the discount price of £14 - which is £6 off the cover price. I have already got mine!

Art Event Evening a Great Success

One of the really fun parts of each years ROI annual exhibtion is ther art event evenimng. Its a chnace for members of the public to come along tothe Mall Galleries, view the exhibition and actually paint alongside ROI members. This year amongst the models was a Chelsea Pensioner in his marvellous  scarlet uniform. Here are some pictures from the event.

Here's David Pilgrim receiving his prize from ROI President Peter Wileman  as the winner of the art event evening portrait competition

 David Pilgrim with his winning painting.

 David Curtis in action

Roger Dellar painting the portrait of  a Chelsea Pensioner

There's still time to catch this year ROI exhibtion which is bigger and better than ever. It runs at the Mall Galleries  until Sunday Dec 19

Two ROI Painters In The New Edition Of Artists and Illustrators Magazine

The new  January edition of the magazine is out now and features pieces by two  two ROI artists. Roger Dellar contributes an insightful piece  - Talking Technique over four pages which contains a link to a short  video demonstration he has done for the magazine.


There is also an interesting feature on Asociate Member Paul Banning in which he reflects  on his painting life.

Young Artists Shine At This Year's Show

One of the exciting parts of the ROI Annual Exhibition is the section devoted to young artists under 35 sponsored by Winsor and Newton. This year there was an extraordinarily high standard and for a wonderfully insightful review of the young artists and their work please have a look at the blog of Adebanji Alade  who himself was recently a star of that section. Adebanji is now a provisional member of the ROI and his review of this years's young artists is well worth reading:  Adebanji Aalade Blog

Adebanji also has a a one man exhibition of his own currently running in Bath at The Bath Gallery, 6 Bridge Street Bath BA2 4AS.  It's an exhibition with a difference as Adebanji - perhaps the most energetic plein air painter in Britain  -  has started a project  to paint 500  -  yes 500  - paintings of Bath in a year. This exhibition which runs throughout December is the first 211 paintings.

They really are a facinating record of one artist's  take on a city. He was painting in all weathers and even at night.  Do do and see for yourself. Here are some other images from the exhibition.

Adebanji also has new DVD out from Town House Films

Here's a taster.

Annual Exhibition Gets Off To Sparkling Start

The ROI 123rd annual exhibition got off to a glittering  start yesterday with a private view attracting a  wide array of guests. It was opened by Commendatore Antonio Carluccio  - best know for his food business but also a lover of painting. Antonio has just been made a patron of the ROI. Here he is with  President Peter Wileman and Peter's  painting of his daughter Olivia.

The 260 paintings on display were also keenly viewed by another ROI Patron - former Government Minister Michael Portillo.

Michael  Portillo chatting here with ROI member Ken Howard. And here are Ken's sparkling pictures in this year's exhibition.

Here's  Past President Dennis Syrett with his amazing painting which won the DAS Award at this year's exhibtion.

There was a great showing in the Winsor and Newton Under 35  Young  Painters section

Visitors to this years exhibition inluded Dr Sally Bulgin (left) Editor of The Artist  Magazine and Cathy Gosling from Anova Books which produces a range of excellent art book titles.

Now take a look at other members and guests looking at this years exhibtion. Don't forget double click in any image to see an enlargement

 Can you tell what it is yet? Rolf Harris by June Mendoza ROI

 Provisional ROI member Adebanji Alade (right)  discusses some of the work

 David Curtis ROI, with Presidents past and present Dennis Syrett and Peter Wileman

The Hill family from Norfolk who own  the Picturecraft  Gallery, art materials  and framing shops in the charming Georgian market town of  Holt.

 David  Curtis  ROI with ROI Treasurer  Pat Syrett

 A brace of Robins - ROI member Robin McEvoy chats with watercolour artist Dr Robin Macdonald

ROI Provisional Member Brian Ryder with that "I've just sold a painting " look

 Adrian Hill , Managing Director of the Picturecraft Gallery in Holt, Norfolk

 The legendary  painter Trevor Chamberlain  ROI in good form with some of his entries.

It's a  really  sparking show so do come along. It runs until Sunday Dec 19. Don't forget also the Art Event Evening on Dec 16 when you can come along and paint alongside ROI memers in the gallery - or just watch. Tickets availble from the Mall Galleries