How to increase your chances and winning an award?
Here are some suggestions:
Enter Your Best Work
Judges will reject all three entries by an artist if one of the pieces is not as strong as the other two. If you only have two great paintings available to submit to a contest, then only enter those pieces.
Enter the Maximum Number
If you have several outstanding pieces to submit, it’s always better to show judges that your talent is solid and consistent by allowing them to review three great paintings instead of just one.
Enter Pieces that are Unusual, Not Safe
Collectors may buy artwork that is safe and typical, but judges prefer works that are exceptional. When you are trying to decide which pieces to enter, ask for advice from an experienced artist or teacher, not your family or friends.
Don’t Assume Judges Will Like Artwork That is Similar to Their Own
Judges are often more critical of artwork that is similar to their own. The standards they apply to their own work are much higher than those they use for judging other subjects or styles.
Enter Work That Can Be Quickly Understood
Judges only look at digital photographs or slide entries for a few seconds, and they are more apt to respond positively to images that are immediately understood rather than those that are so subtle and require careful study. Make sure the artwork you enter is well defined and that the contrast between the values is distinct.
Don’t Enter Pieces That Push the Limits of Good Taste, Humor, Scale, or Presentation
Very few judges want to offend exhibition organizers or the viewing public by selecting work those people might consider offensive, too big, poorly framed, or politically incorrect. If you want to challenge the norms, make sure the organization, venue, and judges will welcome those challenges.
Consider Entering Work that Fits Into Less Competitive Categories
You are more likely to receive recognition for your drawings, sculptures, or acrylic paintings than for your oils in competitions in which most of the entries are oil paintings.
Don’t Take Contest Results Too Seriously
Enter Your Best Work
Judges will reject all three entries by an artist if one of the pieces is not as strong as the other two. If you only have two great paintings available to submit to a contest, then only enter those pieces.
Enter the Maximum Number
If you have several outstanding pieces to submit, it’s always better to show judges that your talent is solid and consistent by allowing them to review three great paintings instead of just one.
Enter Pieces that are Unusual, Not Safe
Collectors may buy artwork that is safe and typical, but judges prefer works that are exceptional. When you are trying to decide which pieces to enter, ask for advice from an experienced artist or teacher, not your family or friends.
Don’t Assume Judges Will Like Artwork That is Similar to Their Own
Judges are often more critical of artwork that is similar to their own. The standards they apply to their own work are much higher than those they use for judging other subjects or styles.
Enter Work That Can Be Quickly Understood
Judges only look at digital photographs or slide entries for a few seconds, and they are more apt to respond positively to images that are immediately understood rather than those that are so subtle and require careful study. Make sure the artwork you enter is well defined and that the contrast between the values is distinct.
Don’t Enter Pieces That Push the Limits of Good Taste, Humor, Scale, or Presentation
Very few judges want to offend exhibition organizers or the viewing public by selecting work those people might consider offensive, too big, poorly framed, or politically incorrect. If you want to challenge the norms, make sure the organization, venue, and judges will welcome those challenges.
Consider Entering Work that Fits Into Less Competitive Categories
You are more likely to receive recognition for your drawings, sculptures, or acrylic paintings than for your oils in competitions in which most of the entries are oil paintings.
Don’t Take Contest Results Too Seriously