Learn from the
MH community
Explore resources from our ambassadors, including free painting instruction, tutorials, courses and workshops, as well as prizes and opportunities supported by Michael Harding. Together with our Rising Artists programme, this page reflects our commitment to supporting artists at every stage of their creative journey.
Free Hubs
Michael Harding - YouTube
The official Michael Harding channel - product demonstrations, paint-making behind the scenes, ambassador features, and technique videos straight from the studio.
Visit hub →Free Art Training
A free, open library of painting instruction from Tim Rees (Rees Atelier) - demonstrations and lessons gathered for artists at every stage, covering oil, watercolour, and drawing fundamentals.
Visit hub →Ambassador-Led Tutorials & Workshops
Courses, workshops, and video libraries from our ambassadors - grouped by their primary medium.
Daniel Wilson
Urban Anna (Astrid)
Vinessa Redford
Rosso Emerald Crimson
Prizes & Opportunities
Art prizes and competitions we are proud to sponsor this year - with live status updates so you always know what's open for entries.
Almenara Art Prize 2026
An international online painting competition offering more than €30,000 in cash awards and €35,000 in products and other prizes. Michael Harding is an official materials sponsor. Categories include Figurative, Portrait, Drawing, Landscape and Plein Air Painting, Still Life, Wildlife and Animal, Religious and Spiritual, Fantastic Realism, and a Young category.
Jackson's Art Prize 2026 — Oil
Now in its eleventh year, Jackson's Art Prize invites artists working in all two-dimensional techniques. The 2026 prize drew 16,280 entries from 110 countries, with a top award of £6,000 plus £2,000 in art materials.
RWS Open 2026 — Michael Harding Grand Prize
The Royal Watercolour Society's annual open exhibition at Bankside Gallery, London. The prize list includes the Michael Harding Grand Prize and the RWS Young Artist Award, recognising excellence in watercolour painting.
OPA National Salon 2026
OPA's annual national juried exhibition and convention, with over $100,000 in cash and merchandise awards. A separate Exhibition of Small Paintings offers up to $20,000 in awards.
NOAPS Best of America 2026
The Best of America National Juried Exhibition, open to NOAPS members. The 2026 Small Works exhibition runs May at Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, Georgia.
New Emergence Art Prize 2026
An international open call for emerging artists with a prize fund worth £5,000+. Includes the dedicated Michael Harding Oil Painter's Prize (£150+ worth of materials). Shortlisted artists featured in an online exhibition, August–September 2026.
Horse in Art 2026 — Tom Coates Best Oil Award
The Society's annual Horse in Art exhibition, featuring the Tom Coates Best Oil Painting Award and new awards for 2026. A UK charity promoting equestrian art across all media.
Ohio Plein Air Society Annual Competition 2026
The 24th annual OPAS competition, September 17–20 at Summit Artspace, Akron. Over $7,000 in prizes for plein air painters working on location.
Plein Air Southwest 2026
A juried membership paint-out hosted by the Galveston Historical Foundation. Part of OPS's programme of plein air paint-outs, exhibitions, and fellowship across the American South and Southwest.
San Diego Watercolor Society 46th International Exhibition
Now in its 46th year, SDWS's International Exhibition attracts entries from hundreds of water media artists worldwide. Show dates: September 27 – October 31, 2026.
Weardale Plein Air Festival 2026
A weekend of outdoor painting, competitions, workshops, and artist socials in the beautiful North Pennines. The 2026 festival ran 28th–31st May in St. John's Chapel, Weardale.
PAWA Plein Air to Studio Winter Exhibition 2026
PAWA's juried winter exhibition celebrating plein air painting, with a Best of Show Award of $1,000. January 9 – February 9, 2026.
Córdoba International Watercolour Festival 2026
An international watercolour festival and exhibition in Córdoba, Spain, featuring works by international masters and emerging artists.
Hampstead Art Society Annual Exhibition
Run by practising artists, the Society promotes and rewards excellence through annual exhibition opportunities, including the Works on Paper open call with cash prizes.
Palette & Chisel Academy Exhibitions
Chicago's historic Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, offering exhibitions, classes, and 60 hours of open studio per week. The Plein Air Painters Chicago (PAPC) is an affiliate organisation.
Plein Air South 2026
A plein air paint-out, competition, and sale bringing artists together for a weekend of outdoor painting and community.
"Paint what you see; not what you think is there."
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