Submissions

Submissions, we are looking for portraits that can be crafted in a live situation to show your skill and knowledge so your submission should reflect this.

So for example we are accepting submissions of.

Oil and Acrylic, watercolour paints etc.

Pencil and pen work, charcoal etc, or a mix.

Sculpture.

Lino cut or print making.

Digital, now we do accept digital entries, however here is my thoughts, you must be able to sit in the venue and draw from your tablet with referencing the sitter, I will not accept a taken photo, which is then layered over and traced. I am looking for raw painting, drawing or technical mechanical skill.

Submission Size. No larger than A1, we can only accept one submission per artist.

If you applied last year you can reapply this year, except Kim, lol. No offence Kim x

You will be asked to bring your submission to your heat so they can be displayed on an easel. So with that in mind if you work either digitally or on paper or its sculpture, you will have to be able to display it in this fashion, so bring a mount!!!!! If you piece is sculpture then you need to be able to display it.

When you enter your submission think about the lighting for it, take the best possible photo, keep it under natural light if possible, if it has a background then keep it uncluttered. All you are doing is reducing a possible entry if the image is poor.

We will be showing the winning creations from the heats at Twenty One after the final for one week so please make sure your creations can be hung on a wall for the show if you are successful.

IMPORTANT, this must be a new and current self portrait, if i have seen it before or find it on the internet and its older than 12 months from the 1st heat date your entry will be rejected.

Photography, unfortunately we will not be accepting photography in this competition.

Spray cans, unfortunately, due to the indoor environment, we cannot include this medium.

To keep judging impartial all submissions will be independently judged by artists from all over the world.

Heat Breakdown

All Heats and Final are held at Twenty One.

All contestants will be required onsite by 10am, no later.

Each Heat will Start at 11am, you will get till 1pm to create, then we have 45 minutes lunch break, afternoon session commences 1:45pm till 3:45pm, so you get 4 timed hours at the easel.

If you finish within the 4 hours then please work on a new piece or stay at your work station.

The sitter for each session will be anonymous until that very morning.

3:45pm time is called, judging commences and the heat winner announced.

Same time schedule for the Final.

This is a live competition so you will be painting in front of an audience.

Timeline

6th January 2024 Submissions Open

20th March 2024 MIDNIGHT Submissions Close

20th March to 24th March independent judging takes place.

24th March 2024, all successful artists notified.

31st March 2024 Lineup Announced on Social Media.

7th April 2024 Heat ONE

28th April 2024 Heat TWO

12th May 2024 Heat THREE

2nd June 2024 Heat FOUR

9th June 2024 THE FINAL

9th June - 16th June 2024. Southend Portrait Artist 2024 Show.

• Questions Questions

• Do I need to bring my own materials?

  Yes, we only provide you with a chair and easel or table.

• Can I park on site?

  Unfortunately No and note the seafront is rather expensive, if you are competing then if you can get dropped off that will be best.

• Can i use a photo reference In the heat?

  You can paint from a taken photo reference on the day, however remember this is about your skill creating from a live sitter, your phone, ipad will automatically adjust the light. There are areas at Twenty One for you to charge, however we cannot run charging leads around the venue because of trip hazard. Also if it came down to a tie, we would favour the artist that hasn’t used any photo reference.

• If I am chosen can I swap heat dates?

  Unfortunately no. Your place will be offered to another artist.

• If I have to pullout at any point will I be refunded?

  No your entry fee is non-refundable.

• Is food available at the venue?

  Yes there is a superb menu catering for all requirements.

• Whats the lowest age for the contestants?

  16 years old on the 1st April 2024 and above.

• Postal applications from any of the SS postcodes as detailed below.

Southend Portrait Artist 2024 The Show

From the 9th - 16th June we will be hosting all the finalists artwork as a show, one week only ending in a Sunday Auction of all the created pieces during the event. Proceeds going to charity.

Supporting Public

We urge you to tell all your friends and get them involved, the fantastic venue will be open for drinks and food. We will be supplying paper and pencils if they wish to have a doodle too.