RWS 'Be Part of Art 4' auction now live
Friday 14th November 2025
The Royal Watercolour Society is the oldest watercolour Society in the world with its origins tracing back to the formation of the Society of Painters in Water Colours in 1804.
On Friday 30 November 1804 the first meeting of ‘The Society Associated for the purpose of Establishing an Annual Exhibition of Paintings in Water Colours’ was held at The Stratford Coffee House on Oxford Street, London. Founder Members include Samuel Shelley, William Frederick Wells, William Sawrey Gilpin and brothers and John and Cornelius Varley. Hence the Royal Watercolour Society was born.
Today, the RWS is an artist-led society made up of an elected Membership who are amongst the finest practitioners in contemporary water-based painting. Artists work in a variety of water media including gouache, acrylic, pen & ink, pigment, collage, mixed media as well as traditional watercolour. The RWS continues to deliver exciting exhibitions exploring the intricate and diverse world of water-based media and its many applications, from its galleries at Bankside and the RWS Gallery.
This autumn, RWS members have collected 98 works to the 'Be Part of Art' auction to raise much-needed funds for the Society, including (at Lot 5) 'Vignette of the Drawing Desk' by Quentin Blake (pictured above)
This autumn, RWS members have collected 98 works to the 'Be Part of Art' auction to raise much-needed funds for the Society, including (at Lot 5) 'Vignette of the Drawing Desk' by Quentin Blake (pictured above)
The RWS is a registered educational charity and receives no government or public funding. By placing a bid in this auction, you will help raise vital funds for the RWS and ensure the sustainability and longevity of the Society for future generations to enjoy.
Online bidding is open until 8pm on Sunday 16 November, at: https://app.galabid.com/bepartofart4/items
Online bidding is open until 8pm on Sunday 16 November, at: https://app.galabid.com/bepartofart4/items