The four shortlisted artists for this year's BP Portrait Award go on show at the National Portrait Gallery in London on Thursday. The four artists are Paul Harris, Fergus Mayhew, Sara Shamma and Stephen Shankland. The award, with a �25,000 first prize, is announced on 21 June.
The winning painter is also given a commission by the National Portrait Gallery Trustees.
The four paintings will be on show until 19 September.
The winner in 2003 was 21-year-old student Charlotte Harris, who won for a portrait of her grandfather.
Last year's winner of the BP Travel Award will also show work alongside the shortlisted artists.
Record entries
Ukrainian artist Ulyana Gumeniuk, who travelled to the Russian city of St Petersburg to study after winning her prize, will show work inspired by her Russian visit.
The portrait competition is in its 24th year, and this year received a record 955 entries.
The portrait award and travel award exhibitions will travel to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter in October, and then to Aberdeen Art Gallery in December.
"Once again the BP Portrait Award has brought forward some remarkable painted portraits - from the intimate to the bold - demonstrating the vitality of this art form," said National Portrait Gallery director Sandy Nairne.
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