new exhibitors information

WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY PAINTING IN mINIATURE?

The Hilliard Society is committed to encouraging new artists into this intricate art form and we know it can sometimes be daunting to enter work in a new exhibition. 

ONLINE PRE-SELECTION SUBMISSIONS

For artists unsure if their work would qualify as miniatures under the Hilliard Society guidelines, we offer an optional service for aspiring miniaturists to find out if their work might be suitable. First time exhibitors will still need to send work in the usual way for Selection Day, but this free service allows them to get an idea of eligibility before paying for postage/entry (please note - a positive assessment at pre-selection does not automatically ensure acceptance).


WHO CAN SUBMIT WORK ONLINE?

First time entrants from anywhere in the world are welcome to submit good quality images of their work for pre-selection. You may submit up to five works. This is a free service, intended to give you an initial appraisal before sending your work for the normal exhibition selection process. It is completely optional and you are very welcome to simply send your work in the usual way whether or not you have exhibited with us before. If you are 25 or under please let us know when you submit your images.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SEND YOUR IMAGES?

Good quality images of your work should be sent to arrive by 12th March 2027 (see below).

WHAT HAPPENS AFTERWARDS?

You will be notified by email with the comments from the pre-selection committee. If you have been successful, you will be invited to send your work to the Exhibition Selection Committee in time for the hand in date, along with your entry form and fee, in the same way as other exhibitors. 

Please note that the quality of artwork juried into the Exhibition is very high and a positive pre-selection appraisal does not automatically ensure your work will be selected for the final Exhibition. If you have been unsuccessful we will do our best to give you the reason to encourage you to try again another year.

COST:   There is no charge for submitting entries for pre-selection. If you are subsequently invited to submit entries for the Exhibition, Non-Members may submit up to FIVE miniature works at an Entry Fee of £12 per work. This covers handling and administrative costs and is non-refundable. If you are 25 or under there is no entry fee to pay.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW TO HAVE A GO?

A miniature painting can be worked on any media and in any medium - bearing in mind that a smooth surface is required to execute the miniature techniques of fine detail and brushwork. It should be of good composition and tonal balance when viewed from a distance and, by virtue of its detail and fine execution, should stand up to close inspection. Mounts should be accurately cut and frames of high quality and not overwhelming.

Maximum sizes - Rectangles 4.5 inches x 6 inches (11.43cm x 15.24cm); Squares 4.5 inches (11.43cm); Circles 4.5 inches (11.43cm) in diameter. Sculptures maximum size is 10" (25.4cm) in any dimension. This should include the outer size of the frame, as larger sizes may influence selection. Please also note these are 'maximum' sizes - most miniatures are considerably smaller. 

See Materials and Guidelines for helpful information and a video to help with framing queries. Please also have a look at the current exhibition online.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR IMAGES FOR PRE-SELECTION

*Please submit a clear photograph of your framed work with a ruler alongside (as in the example shown) together with your name and email, to arrive by 12th March 2027 (submissions arriving after this date cannot be accepted).

*Please use Smash (free) or similar file sharing service to send you entries to:

submissions@hilliardsociety.org.

*Please do NOT send your photographs via email. Unfortunately entries sent this way will not be viewed.

(If you have any issues using Smash or another file sharing service, please email submissions@hilliardsociety.org for assistance).

*You will be then notified results and if successful, invited to submit your entries by post for Exhibition Selection (see Submission Guidelines for details).