Jane McNulty is 18 years old and is still at school. The composition of her portrait shows careful thought and great maturity. Every element is carefully placed and has been thought through. The underlying composition of black, white and beige rectangles demonstrates this. In portrait painting the viewer needs to be led to face which is the prime point of focus. The cook’s head is brilliantly positioned within the abstract white square made by the cupboard. The clever use of the cooker hood shadow not only directs the viewer to the cook’s eye, but echoes its shape. A worthy prize-winner.

The Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) is dedicated to promoting the highest standards of skill, concept and draughtsmanship in painting, sculpture, printmaking and drawing.

Sourced from member artists and through open submission, the exhibition also includes selected work from schools and colleges around the country. The show also includes entries from the four finalists for the Society’s prestigious Rome Scholarship award, as well as work produced by the recipient of the Rome Scholarship from the previous year.

Most works are for sale.