The Event
Join up to 100 artists for a full day of drawing from multiple live models. Starting at 10:00 am on Sunday, April 6th, artists can work in three distinct categories:
- Long Pose Figure Drawing (6-hour pose)
- Short Pose Figure Drawing (changes every hour)
- Portrait Drawing (6-hour pose)
A note about the word “competition”: We believe that drawing with others of various skill levels drives us to work at our highest abilities. This competition is designed to foster camaraderie and inspiration within the community. Artists are not required to submit their work for judging.
- Morning Drawing Session 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
- Lunch (not provided) 1:00 – 2:00 pm.
- Afternoon Drawing Session 2:00 – 5:00 pm.
- Judging 5:00 pm.
- Winners Announced 5:30 pm.
Artists may work in dry media only, including graphite, charcoal, and pastel pencils. Loose, dry pastels are not permitted for health reasons. Artists may work up to 18″x24″. We do not accept digital art for submission for judging.
Entry to the space begins at 9:45 am in order of arrival. Seating is strictly first come, first served, and seats may not be saved for artists who are not present. Each artist will be given two chairs to work with, allowing them to place their board on the back of one chain and sit on the other. Compact easels are permitted on a case-by-case basis (space permitting). Easels may not occupy the front row of any model area.
The Judges
Savona Bailey-McClain, Executive Director and Chief Curator, West Harlem Art Fund
Nicho Lowry, President and Principal Auctioneer of Swann Auction Galleries, Appraiser on Antiques Roadshow on PBS.
Isabella Kapur, Assistant Curator of Research, The Drawing Center
Prizes
Up to $1500 in cash and prizes will be awarded across each category. Further details will be listed closer to the event date.
Important Information
No photography is allowed while models are posing. Photographing nude models will result in the immediate removal of attendees, who will forfeit their ticket, spot, and payment and will not be allowed to submit work for judging. The rooms are expected to be quiet while the artists are working. Conversations should take place outside the competition area. Phone calls and music on speakers are not allowed. We recommend earphones for those who wish to listen to music or for noise cancellation.
Organized by The Drawing Foundation in partnership with Drawing New York, hosted by the National Arts Club.
(banner) Philippe Joseph Tassaert (1732-1803), A Drawing Academy, 1764, grey black and grey wash draw with the brush over black, Private Collection.
(header) Photographs of the participants and winners of The Drawing Competition in 2024. Images courtesy The Drawing Foundation and Drawing New York.
