Family and friends on portraits shortlist

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Peter Monkman, 44, was today shortlisted for Britain's major portrait prize with a picture of his 12-year-old daughter, Anna, entitled Changeling 2

He was first chosen for inclusion in the exhibition a decade ago for a portrait of his son, Joe, now 10.

His youngest son Ned, six, is now adamant he also wants his moment of fame.

Mr Monkman, who lives in Godalming, Surrey, is one of three artists shortlisted for the £25,000 prize, which comes with a commission worth an extra £4,000.

The other contenders are Annalisa Avancini, 35, from Trento, in north-east Italy, with a portrait of her friend, Manuel; and Michael Gaskell, 45, from Sheffield, with a picture of his son, Tom, 21.

All will be exhibited in a show at the National Portrait Gallery alongside another 53 works chosen from 1,901 submissions from around the world-a 10 per cent rise on last year.

Mr Monkman, who teaches at Charterhouse school, said: "I'm a bit of a veteran of the game - that is, the serious occupation of trying to get my work seen.

"I'm a teacher as well, so I use it as an educational tool, making a piece of work and showing my students that if you keep on trying you can get there in the end."

Mr Gaskell, who won second prize in the award in 2003, was "pleasantly surprised" to make the grade again.

But his son, Tom, is bitterly disappointed that he will not be able to attend the prize ceremony because he has his last A-level re-sit to take the next day.

"I think he's quite bowled over it's been chosen, but, in football parlance, he's gutted he can't come," Mr Gaskell said.

Sandy Nairne, the National Portrait Gallery's director, said lots of contemporary artists still wanted to engage with portrait painting.

"They come and see what other people are doing in the annual exhibition and are encouraged to have a go," he said.

The decision three years ago to abolish the age restriction to allow anyone, not just young artists, to enter also boosted interest.

The winner will be announced on 16 June. The exhibition will run from 18 June to 14 September.