Paul Banning RSMA, RI

Born in Trinidad in 1934 and educated at Clifton College in Bristol where he studied and excelled in furniture and interior design at the West of England College of Art. He also has a full City and Guilds Technology diploma in Cabinet making and chair making. He served two years National Service obtaining a commission in the Army before joining the furniture trade until redundancy in 1986 allowed him to change direction and follow his passion for painting, and the opportunity to develop this talent, and start a new career.

Using his drafting talents, he taught himself the skills of water media painting and his watercolours show a masterly control of the medium. He also enjoys painting in oils.

In 1993 he met up with a number of Wapping Group of Artists members on a painting trip to Egypt, and was invited to paint with them as a guest before being elected a full member in 1995.
He exhibits regularly in the major exhibitions at the Mall Galleries, and has been hung in the RA Summer Exhibition, The Singer and Friedlander Sunday Times Watercolour Exhibition 2005 and 2007, now called The Sunday times Watercolour competition, the Lynn Painter-Stainers Exhibition 2007, and 2014. The RWS/Sunday Times Watercolour competition 2009, and in the Sunday Times Watercolour competition 2010. 2011.

Prizes:
Freshfields Prize at the RWS C21 Exhibition 2000
Llewellyn Alexander Award RI 2002
Society Painting prize, Armed Forces Art Society 2005
Chelsea Art Society Painting prize 2004
Armed Forces Art Society Exhibition, best picture depicting an Army subject. 2007
The Cuthbert's Watercolour award at RSMA 2008
The Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours The Turner Watercolour Award 2011
He is also a member of the Royal Institute of Painter in Watercolour, the Royal Society of Marine Artists,The Armed Forces Art Society, The Chelsea Art Society, and Associate member of Farnham Art Society.

He travels abroad as much as possible, and this allows him to paint a wide variety of interesting subject matter.

He does Courses at Dedham in Suffolk, in March, May, and July. He is President of the Wokingham Art Society and both supports and is supported by local artists.

He has had numerous articles in both the Artist magazine, and the Artists and Illustrators