Make your mark

Quarterly Competitions

Our themed quarterly competitions offer artists the chance to challenge themselves, win real prizes and have their work judged by respected local and international artists. All skill levels are welcome, with selected works featured on The Drawing Guild blog and social media.

Judges will be accomplished artists in their chosen medium, and we’ll announce and introduce them to you during the course of the quarter.

Prizes will be announced before entries open.

Make Your Mark #1

Theme: Companionship

Companionship takes many forms. It can be found in the quiet presence of a loved one, the loyalty of an animal, the bond between friends, or even in the simple comfort of sharing a moment with another living being.

For this competition, we invite you to explore “Companionship” in their own way. Capture a relationship, connection or shared moment that speaks to what companionship means to you. It could be tender, playful, joyful, protective, unexpected or deeply emotional.

Your interpretation may focus on people, animals, birds, or the natural world — or explore companionship in a more abstract or symbolic way.

We are looking for artworks that communicate connection and tell a story beyond the subject itself.

All interpretations are welcome, and artists are encouraged to make the theme their own.

Prizes

Winner: R1250 Cash Prize, Blogpost Feature, 1 Free Entry to next Annual Exhibition

Runner-Up: R750 Cash Prize, Blogpost Feature

Depending on the amount of entries, up to 3 Highly Commended Awards

All will receive Digital Certificates. 

Deadline:
7pm 30 November 2026

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‘Jungle School’ – Nicola Jane | ‘Sunday’ Rituparna Roy

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Our Judges

Look out for Blog posts to get to know our Judges!

Angelo Aquilano

Angelo is a fine arts illustrator, working in ink and based in Johannesburg, South Africa. His architectural illustrations are widely revered.

Nicola Jane

Nicola is a UK-based artist known for her passion for Conservation and beautiful wildlife artworks. She works in both Graphite and Coloured Pencil and.

Next Deadline In...

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The Rules are Simple:

  1. Artworks can be in any style – whether its impressionistic, contemporary, realism or abstract etc.
  2. Drawing must be the hero – mediums included: Pastel, Oil Pastel, Coloured Pencil, Graphite, Charcoal and Ink
  3. Submit a clear high resolution .jpg image of your artwork via our submission form before the deadline timer runs out.  Rename your artwork file to your name and artwork title eg. John Smith – Title. Keep your file size between 2mb and 3mb.  
  4. This is a competition, not an Online Exhibition. Members enter for free, Non-Members R100 per entry.
  5. Artworks must be original and completed within the last 2 years.  Reference images must be licensed or permission given by the photographer.  AI references not permitted.  No artworks created during workshops or courses permitted.
  6. Decisions of the guest judges will be final.
  7. Artwork images may be used on social media to promote The Drawing Guild and the art of drawing.

Enter the Challenge

Add to Cart (Non-Member entries R100 per submission)