Glasgow boy's painting is chosen for the London Royal Summer Exhibition

The artwork of Adam Ritchie, 8, has been selected from 22,000 submissions to be part of the Royal Summer Exhibition, held by the Royal Academy of Arts and visited by thousands annually.

It all started when Adam, who attends Hyndland Primary School, took an interest in an after-school art class.

After a five-week course, he had compiled his own portfolio of work and was told by the school that he should submit a painting to the Young Artists’ Exhibition.

Adam and his mum Alexandra.

Adam, from Partick, submitted a painting depicting a woman with an elongated neck, to which his mum Alexandra said: “Everyone keeps joking and saying it’s a portrait of me!

“But Adam says it isn’t, it was just something they were studying in the class.”

The portrait was in fact inspired by the work of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, who typically painted surreal-looking figures with long faces, necks, and bodies.

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Months went by after they submitted the picture, and eventually, Adam and his mum received some very exciting news.

Alexandra said: “We submitted it in early February and didn’t think anything of it and then we got the confirmation to say that it will be on display.

“Then I got told that we could go and see it in London prior to it going on display in July.”

Adam said: “I can’t believe it’s been chosen to go on display as I wasn’t sure it was that great! But it definitely makes me happy and proud of myself.”

Alexandra is also beaming with pride for her son and what his creativity and hard work have achieved for him.

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She said: “I thought the painting was really impressive and to think, he was only seven when he did it.

“It just shows you he’s put so much effort in and really listened in the class and taken it all in.

“It’s just amazing, he was just painting in his after-school class and now it’s going to be on display and loads of people getting to see it.

“It’s definitely upped his confidence and I think he’ll continue to paint.”

The family are delighted that the painting is not only going on display but they have been made another offer too.

Alexandra said: “The Royal Academy of Arts has asked if we would like it priced for sale if we wanted to sell it, but I’d rather keep it framed in the house. It’s special.”

Despite his mum’s desire to hang on to the piece for sentimental reasons, the young artist may have other ideas.

Adam said: “I’ll take £300 and no less.”

Alexandra added: “I think he’s a wee entrepreneur in the making!”