A talented Twickenham artist has been shortlisted to win a national drawing competition with a top prize of £6,000, writes Maria Anthony.

The Jerwood Drawing Prize is the largest and longest running annual open exhibition for drawing in the UK and Paul McLoughlin, 36, of Church View Road, has beaten thousands of entries to be shortlisted.

More than 3,000 entries were submitted for consideration by the distinguished panel of judges including Iwona Blazwick, the director of Whitechapel Gallery, and Tim Marlow, writer, broadcaster and director of exhibitions.

Mr McLoughlin was only one of 60 artists that were selected.

He said “It was a big surprise because of the amount of people involved.”

The shortlist comprised of students fresh from art school, relative newcomers and established artists and other nominees include Liam Allan and Sally Taylor.

Mr McLoughlin, who was born in Salford, has a strong background in art having studied at various institutes including Slade School of Art. His entry for the Jerwood prize consists of a series of drawings of trees from the local area, including Twickenham Green.

In his written statement, he wrote: “I have chosen trees where a particular line of sight allows an unobstructed view of the entire tree.”

- Jerwood Drawing Prize Exhibition, Jerwood Space, London, from Wednesday, September 14 to Sunday, October 30.