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Ruth Fitton

Ruth Fitton has been fascinated by portraiture since her mid-teens. Her imagination is sparked by the human face and its unique capacity for character and communication. She taught herself to paint in oils while also studying for a BA in Music, and upon graduating began painting full time. Since then, Ruth’s portraits have garnered praise across the globe. Recent awards include 2nd Place - Figurative Work in the Art Renewal Center’s International Salon (2025), the People’s Choice Award in the Portrait Society of America International Competition (2023), a Purchase Award from the Art Renewal Center (2021), and 1st Place - Young Artist award with the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (2020). In 2023, she was elected a Member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and awarded Signature Status by the Portrait Society of America.

Ruth Fitton has been fascinated by portraiture since her mid-teens. Her imagination is sparked by the human face and its unique capacity for character and communication. She taught herself to paint in oils while also studying for a BA in Music, and upon graduating began painting full time.

Since then, Ruth’s portraits have garnered praise across the globe. Recent awards include 2nd Place - Figurative Work in the Art Renewal Center’s International Salon (2025), the People’s Choice Award in the Portrait Society of America International Competition (2023), a Purchase Award from the Art Renewal Center (2021), and 1st Place - Young Artist award with the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (2020). In 2023, she was elected a Member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and awarded Signature Status by the Portrait Society of America.

Based in London, Ruth has exhibited at Sotheby’s NYC, Arcadia Contemporary NYC, MEAM Barcelona, and the Mall Galleries, London. Her works hang in private collections, businesses, and venerable institutions worldwide. She is celebrated for her empathetic characterizations and the strong narrative element she brings to her paintings.

Ruth is passionate about painting from life, drawn to the organic experience of capturing her immediate reality in paint. This passion is balanced by a keen curiosity regarding texture, layers, and edges. Quick, immersive live studies are generally followed by extensive studio work.
  • Selected Commissions & Collections

    • Notable commissions include:

    • 2024: Portrait for the Stationers Company of Helen Esmonde, their first female Master since 1403

    • 2022: Portrait for the Merchant Taylors of Jane Hall, their first female Master since founding in 1390

    • 2018: Portrait of Viscount Mountgarret

    • 2018: Portrait of Harry Christophers CBE
  • Honors & Awards

    • 2025: Certificate of Excellence, Portrait Society of America

    • 2024: Stanley Grimm Memorial Award, Royal Institute of Oil Painters 2024

    • 2024: 2nd Place Figurative Painting, Art Renewal Center International Salon

    • 2024: 7th Place Non-commissioned Portrait, Portrait Society of America Members Only Competition

    • 2024: Winner of the Portrait Award at the ING Discerning Eye Exhibition

    • 2024: Winner of the Raw Umber Paint Off

    • 2024: Highly Commended De Laszlo Foundation Award, Royal Society of Portrait Painters

    • 2023: Elected a full member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters

    • 2023: Awarded Signature Status by the Portrait Society of America

    • 2023: Portrait Society of America International Competition; People’s Choice Award, Top 20 Finalist

    • 2022: Art Renewal Center 16th International Salon; Honorable Mention

    • 2021: Royal Institute of Oil Painters; Winsor and Newton Young Artist Award, 2nd Prize

    • 2021: Blue Review Art Prize 2021; Honorable Mention

    • 2020: Royal Institute of Oil Painters; Winsor and Newton Young Artist Award, 1st Prize

    • 2020: Art Renewal Center 15th International Salon; Purchase Award

    • 2019: Royal Institute of Oil Painters; Emerging Artist Prize

    • 2019: Michael Klein Portrait Prize; 1st Place

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