A student from Ceredigion has been shortlisted in a national art competition which is being judged by one of London’s most popular art critics.

18 year-old Phoebe Phillips from Llechryd, submitted a portrait of an elderly man to the National Open Art Competition, which she created using acrylics. The Coleg Sir Gâr foundation art student who is staying at the college’s School of Creative Arts to pursue a degree, has been shortlisted with a number of other emerging and professional artists who are all waiting to hear if they have been awarded prizes and exhibition space to showcase their work across the country.

The judging panel includes art critic Brian Sewell and other distinguished artists and industry representatives.

“I am amazed at being shortlisted,” said Phoebe. “I entered my painting which I did as my summer holiday project, never expecting to get anywhere.”

Although the competition invited work on any subject, Phoebe was drawn to portraiture as a challenging and intriguing subject matter.

She added: “Despite having had the opportunity to work with lots of media at college, painting has remained my favourite and working from a photo, my aim was to transmit my interpretation of the character and the emotions it evoked in me.

“I chose acrylic paint as it allowed me to produce the texture and definition the portrait demanded.”

Around 100 pieces of artwork will be selected for exhibitions across the UK and a number of prize awards will be decided on September 9.