The Derwent Art Prize is one of the world’s top art competitions, celebrating excellence in contemporary pencil art.
Created in 2012 by Derwent, the Prize invites artists worldwide to submit their finest 2D and 3D artworks crafted in any pencil—including colour, water-soluble, pastel, graphite, and charcoal pencils.
Dedicated to championing art made in pencil and supporting artists in their careers, the Derwent Art Prize presents an international exhibition at gallery@OXO, London, UK and offers a prize fund totaling £13,500 to winning artists.
Now in its 8th edition, the competition has attracted more than 20,000 entries from 75 countries.
Prizes Include:
- First prize: £4,000 + a year’s supply of Derwent products
- Second Prize: £2,000
- Young Artist Awards (Under 25s): £6,000 across two prizes
- People’s Choice Award: £500
- New Artist Award: £500
- Educators Award: £500
- Tin of Derwent Lightfast Pencils for each winner
Key Dates
3rd June 2025: Call to entries opens
13th January 2026, 5pm: Deadline for submissions closes
6th February 2026: Shortlisted artworks announced
8th April 2026: Private View and Awards Ceremony
9th – 19th April 2026, 11am – 6pm: Exhibition open to the public
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