How to Enter

Entry deadline: Friday 28th November 2025, 11.59pm GMT
 
Step 1
Take a good quality digital photograph or scan of each painting. Paintings should be photographed unframed and evenly lit, and cropped to the edge of the work.
 
Step 2
View the photograph on a computer to make sure you are happy with the picture quality and that it is the right way up – the judges will make their decision based on this photograph. Check the image file does not exceed 5MB (minimum of 1MB) before saving it as a jpeg.
 
Step 3
Go to royalwatercoloursociety.co.uk/competition to access the online entry form via the Zealous platform. If it’s your first time using the Zealous system, you will be asked to make an account. When you set up this account, please enter your name exactly as you wish it to appear with your work. We will also use the email address associated with your profile to communicate with you about the competition. Please ensure you enter it correctly. This system will also allow you to check back in on your submission after you have entered.
 
Step 4
You will be asked to pay for the number of entries you wish to make. Pay the non-refundable entry fee using the secure online payment service.
 
Step 5
After payment, you will be asked to provide an image of the artwork, the title, framed dimensions (in cm), medium and price. Please note you will be only able to submit one image per submission and you will need to add your first image and then it’s details before uploading any subsequent entries. You are able to re-access your entry until the closing date but you will not be able to make any changes after that point. You should consider framing, transport costs and the Gallery’s commission of 40% + VAT when pricing your work.
 
*Please be aware that VAT is included in the entry fee, however this will not show on your email receipt, so if you require a VAT receipt please contact us separately via submissions@banksidegallery.com.
 
**Entries needs to be fully completed by the deadline. You will not be able to access your submission to make changes or add additional artworks once the deadline has passed.
 
***It is strongly recommended that you upload your entry in advance of the official entry deadline time. Large volumes of traffic to the website may cause the server to crash and it may become very difficult or impossible to upload your entry. Please submit your entries ahead of time to guarantee that your application is submitted successfully.
 
Step 6
Successful entrants will be contacted by the email address provided on or before Monday 12th of January 2026. We do also try to contact unsuccessful applicants but this isn't always possible. If you haven't heard from us by the end of the day on Monday 12th of January 2026, please assume your application has been unsuccessful this time.

 

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