Creative arts teacher at Bristol-based St Brendan’s Sixth Form College Richard Twose was a picture of happiness after being shortlisted to the final three for the BP Portrait of the Year Award.

The 51-year-old’s painting was one of 2,377 entered in the competition worldwide and will be exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery.
If Mr Twose wins, he will be awarded £30,000 — one of the largest global art competition prizes — and be commissioned to paint a portrait for the gallery’s permanent collection.
The shortlisted portrait is of Jean Woods, who was featured on Channel 4 documentary Fabulous Fashionistas as an example of stylish pensioner.
Richard first spotted the 76-year-old working in a local shop and chose to paint her portrait after being impressed with her “contemporary, edgy style”.
College principal Michael Jaffrain said: “We are very proud of what Richard has achieved, he is a hugely talented artist and all of his colleagues and students are rooting for him.”

Cap main image: Creative arts teacher Richard Twose painting at his easel. Inset: His portrait of Jean Woods