London Art | 26 November – 12 December 2026
Snow-covered landscapes, piles of Penguin paperbacks and lanterns glowing against the night sky: the Royal Institute of Oil Painters‘ 2026 Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries promises to be a cosy, heart-warming hug in oils. This year’s theme is Winter Rituals. Here are five reasons to go.
1. A perfect way to feel Christmassy
Not feeling festive yet? Artists have explored the traditions, routines and gatherings that shape our winters, from decorating the tree to curling up with a book. ROI President Adebanji Alade says oil paint, with its generous qualities and vivid colours, is the ideal medium to capture the nostalgia of the season. Expect works like Adebanji’s own Mesmerised by Viktorov’s Decorating the New Year Tree and Sarah Manolescue’s Beloved Sheepskins.
2. 320 paintings you can actually buy
Every one of the 320 works is for sale, in person or online. Prices are more accessible than you might think, ranging from around £500 to £10,000, with pieces like Michelle Anderson’s Cloud and Snow at £530 and Lotta Teale’s Pile of Literature with Anna Karenina at £775. An original oil painting makes a memorable Christmas present that could become a family heirloom.
3. Art made in wartime
This year’s invited artist is Ukrainian painter Denys Gorodnychyi. Drafted into the military, he was granted permission by Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture to continue as an artist and represent his country on the “cultural front”. His three oils, including In the Winter Silence, are a moving reminder of the value of art even in times of war.
4. The best of contemporary figurative painting
Founded in 1882, the ROI is the only major national art society devoted exclusively to oil painting. The exhibition mixes established members with artists selected from an open call, plus young painters aged 30 and under competing for the Winsor & Newton Young Artist Awards.
5. Paint alongside the artists
On Tuesday 1 December, from 6pm to 8.30pm, the ROI Art Event Evening lets you paint alongside ROI members after hours, a lovely, sociable way to experience the show. Entry is £7, free for under-25s and Friends of Mall Galleries, and there’s no need to book.
Visit
Winter Rituals: The Royal Institute of Oil Painters’ Annual Exhibition
Mall Galleries, The Mall, London SW1Y 5BD
26 November – 12 December 2026, 10am – 5pm daily
£7 | Free for under-25s | No booking needed
Nearest station: Charing Cross