Now in its 33rd year, The Sunday Times Watercolour Competition is the largest and most prestigious watercolour competition in the UK. Hugely popular with artists, gallery visitors and readers of The Sunday Times, the competition aims to celebrate and reward excellence and originality in the medium of watercolour. This year the competition will be open to both UK and international artists.

Entry is through an online entry process. Entry fee is £15 per work. Artists may enter up to 4 works only.

The closing deadline for online submission is 5pm, Thursday 24 September 2020. The panel of judges will review entries through a digital submission process. No works will need to be delivered for a physical selection. Please note that notification of all results will be sent by email only.

Each year the panel of judges represent experts in their field. The judges will be looking for work that makes the most imaginative or otherwise impressive use of a water-based medium. The judges’ decision will be final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into.

The following prizes will be awarded during the exhibition. The shortlist and winners will also be announced in The Sunday Times Culture and on The Sunday Times website:

First Prize – £3,000 and £1000 of gift vouchers to use at Cass Art stores

Young Artist Prize* – Exhibition opportunity in the Art Space at Cass Art Islington or Glasgow and £500 to cover expenses

Second Prize – £1000, £695 Maimeri Blu Set, £750 worth of Arches Watercolour Paper

Third Prize – £500, £150 Maimer Blue Set, £500 worth of Aquafine Watercolour Paper

In addition all successful artists will get a Aquafine 24 Half Pans Set! 

*For artists aged 25 and under

Many thanks to Cass Art and Daler-Rowney for their generous prizes.

October 2020 – January 2021
Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery
Market Place, Basingstoke, RG21 7QD
Please click here for opening times, free entry

February 2021
Mall Galleries
The Mall
London SW1