Wildlife Artist of the Year 2019: Open for Entries

Each year the David Sheperd Wildlife Foundation allows artists to present their Wildlife artwork to an acclaimed panel of judges. The competition was established by David Sheperd and is inspired by ‘The Art of Survival.’

This competition stands out to me each year, as every piece is so different, portraying animals in different lights and showing how different art mediums benefit pieces in unique ways. I particularly like the use of watercolour in Wildlife Artwork as the splashes of colour can portray movement and bring life to the piece.

People from all over the world can enter this competition; hopefully this competition will allow you to meet other artists in your field. This competition has been annually happening for over 10 years and has raised an astonishing amount of money to help with vital animal work.

You have until Monday 18^th February to enter, that certainly gives you time to choose your best piece or put some time aside to paint something from scratch. All shortlisted submissions will be part of a public exhibition at the stunning Mall Galleries in London. The show will be held between 29^th May and the 2^nd of June, meaning your work will be shown in the bustling Summer months in London.

The seven categories:

• Earth’s Wild Beauty: Open to art illustrating wild landscapes, seascapes and the people who live in these environments or work to protect them.
• Animal Behaviour: Open to art which shows a real understanding of animal behaviour and a sense of character.
• Into the Blue: Art illustrating the wonderful world of water, be it ocean, seashore, wetland, river or stream. The Derek Frances Award.
• Urban Wildlife: Entries in an urban style or depicting the city life of animals and plants. Judges are looking for both originality in the habitat as well as the contrast between wild and urban life.
• Vanishing Fast (Sponsored by Martin & Emma Leuw): Art showing our vanishing world. It can be any species officially listed as endangered or threatened on the IUCN Red List – or any a landscape that is at risk.
• Wings: Art showing the extraordinary variety of winged wildlife – birds and insects, in flight or at rest. Sponsored by Barlow Robbins
• Human Impact: A new category, open to young artists aged between 17 and 25 years. Judges are looking for dynamic and political depictions of the consequences human life has had on earth’s wildlife.

Your work would be available to purchase and on the opening night the winner will be announced. Doesn’t that sound exciting? Whatever the animal, whatever the wildlife scene, pick up your paintbrush and make a nature filled scene come to life on canvas. If you’re in need of any particular products or need any guidance, use our free chat feature and we will try our best to help!

What could you win?

First prize £10,000, second prize £1,000 +7 category winners receiving £500 each.

“Entries will be accepted as high res (300dpi) jpegs entered online at www.davidshepherd.org from October 2018 or by post using the postal entry form. For online entry, please ensure the file size is 2200 pixels on the smallest side and no larger than 6MB. Entry to the ‘Human Impact’ category for young people aged 17-25 years is £10 per entry. For all other categories, entries are £25 per entry or £10 (per entry) for DSWF members.”

For more details and the T & C's, head to the Daniel Sheperd Wildlife Foundation website. 

Good luck and please tag us in your entries!

Enter here