Ships and Miniatures

Once that Threadneedle Prize twaddle is cleared away, the Mall Galleries in London will open two exhibitions worth visiting. The first is the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers, which opens on Tuesday 11 October. This features over 600 contemporary paintings and sculptures for sale as well as a special loan exhibition of Royal Portrait Miniatures, some from the 17th century. Above is Rob Ritchie's exquisite Stack of Bowls. Entry is free.
The second show opens the following day, Wednesday 12 October: the Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition. This showcases some of the finest marine artists working today. The painting below is Geoff Hunt's Trouble off Elsinore. Admission for this show is £2.50 adults, £1.50 silver surfers. Both exhibitions run until Sunday 23 October (title link).