We are SO excited to announce the theme for The Big Draw Festival 2026: #MakeaMark 🎉✍️💗
This theme celebrates drawing as a form of playful inquiry, reflection and expression. ‘Make a Mark’ offers space for experimentation and creative freedom, inviting everyone to see drawing as a process that helps us question, record and engage with the world around us!
And how great is this logo?! It was a pleasure working with artist and illustrator @itsjoeyyu who has brought this year’s theme to life 🫶🏼
Subscription fees start at just £12 (inc VAT) for individuals and freelancers, with the fee waived for non-fee paying schools for the second year in a row 🙌 if you’re looking to reach new audiences, inspire your local community, or simply celebrate the joy of drawing, The Big Draw Festival is your chance!
Comment ‘sign up’ below and we’ll send you the link to find out more and register 💬
That’s a wrap on this year’s Ruskin Prize exhibition and events programme! ☄️
Throughout February we welcomed thousands of visitors to our exhibition alongside our in person and online events. We had so many thoughtful conversations with visitors of all ages, and it was such a joy to see people from far and wide engaging so deeply with the works on display. If you visited the exhibition, or joined us for any of our online or in person events, comment below and let us know how you found it! 💬⬇️💙
A huge thank you and special shout out to: ⭐️ our supporters and prize sponsors @trinitybuoywharf Trust, @adfoundation , @ruskinmilltrust , @chelseaartsclubtrust , and @ruskintoday ⭐️ our fantastic panel of judges: Victoria Pomery OBE, @nshasore , @maryevansartist , @julianwildsculpture , and Nichola Johnson OBE FSA ⭐️ our shortlisted artists
⭐️ and finally, everyone who came through the doors (or joined us virtually) and made this year’s exhibition so special!
We can’t wait for next year! 💗
#ruskinprize
“I can’t draw”. 🫠
Why is it that so many of us believe we can’t draw? And when does our relationship with drawing go from curiosity and carefree exploration, to doubt and self-criticism?
Let this be your reminder that drawing is more about the process than the outcome. And drawing is for EVERYONE 🗣️ now go and make some marks! ✍️
If it’s not this I don’t want it 🙂↔️ comment ‘DRAW’ to book!
Come along next week for a fun, feel-good life drawing session at London’s best rooftop bar 💖 we’ll provide all the materials, and there’ll be a fully stocked bar just steps away with a range of alcoholic and non alcoholic options
🗓️ Tuesday 19th May
⏰ 6:30-8:30pm
📍 Roof East, London
🎟️ £6 per ticket - comment ‘DRAW’ to book!
This is a relaxed, inclusive session designed for all abilities. Come solo or with friends, and enjoy a welcoming space to create, unwind, and try something new!
CALLING ALL ARTISTS, DESIGNERS AND MAKERS
The 9th John Ruskin Prize is now open for entries!
Comment ‘RUSKIN’ to get the link
This year’s theme, ‘Not for Present Delight’ invites you to make work with consequence in mind. Work that looks beyond the immediate moment, and asks: must art serve a purpose beyond itself?
Works in all media are welcome, and the prize is open to artists and makers worldwide.
The John Ruskin Prize £9,500 in awards, with a top prize of £3,000 - plus prizes for craft, mid-career artists and under 26s.
We can’t wait to see what you make.
🗓️ Deadline: 17 November 2026, 5pm GMT
Comment ‘RUSKIN’ and we’ll send you the link to enter.
Cover @julia.polonski
Our new Walk and Draw series got off to a cracking start yesterday 💖
We had such a great time sketching away with you all in Haggerston Park, and loved drawing the adorable and almost-never-still residents of Hackney City Farm! We quickly became experts at capturing animals in the brief moments they paused before trotting, hopping, or waddling off again 😂 thank you so much to everyone who came along and made the day so special 🫶🏼
On the second Sunday of each month we’re exploring different areas and green spaces around North and East London with drawing materials in hand - these events are completely free, open to all abilities, and a lovely chance to build your confidence in drawing, explore the city in a unique way, and join a friendly community of scribblers!
You can find out more via the link in our bio 👀
📸 @brandonfew
Does your practice involve drawing?
Comment 'TBW' to enter the @tbwdrawingprize
The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize is one of the most established international open calls for drawing.
And with only one month left to enter, now is your chance!
As well as a group show at @trinitybuoywharf , selected artists will also get the chance to win a range of prizes totalling £18,000.
Comment 'TBW' to submit your work today!
Deadline: 9 June 2026
Cover: Katya Kasova
Ft. images by Kal Lawrence & courtesy of @trinitybuoywharf
Celebrating over a year of this series with some outtakes for your enjoyment ☠️ including a little sneak peek of our next video coming up on the last Tuesday of the month as always 👀
Drink and Draw at Roof East is back 😎 comment ‘DRAW’ to book your ticket for just £6!
Join us for a lively, feel-good drawing session at Stratford’s favourite rooftop bar 💖 we’ll provide all materials, so you can simply arrive and get stuck in! The session will take place under a covered marquee, meaning you can enjoy the experience whatever the weather, with a fully stocked bar just steps away offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.
🗓️ Tuesday 19th May
⏰ 6:30-8:30pm
📍 Roof East, London
🎟️ £6 per ticket - comment ‘DRAW’ to book!
This is a relaxed, inclusive session designed for all abilities. Come solo or with friends, and enjoy a welcoming space to create, unwind, and try something new!
If you have any access requirements or questions ahead of the session, feel free to get in touch, we’re always happy to help 🫶🏼
It has never been easier to enter the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize
Comment ‘TBW’ and we’ll send you the link
This year, the first round of submissions is totally digital!
Enter today, and you’ll be in for the chance to:
✨ Feature in a touring exhibition
✨ Win from £18,000 in prizes
✨ And show your work to a global audience
Comment ‘TBW’ to apply now
#OpenCall #CallforEntries #ArtOpps
Want to run a Big Draw event, but not sure where to start? Comment ‘LINK’ to join our free upcoming Insider Q&A’s 🧡
We have three fun, informal and free online sessions coming up where you’ll meet The Big Draw Team, hear from past organisers with some top tips, and find out everything you need to know about taking part in the world’s biggest drawing festival! 🌎
The first session focuses on running events in education settings, the second explores delivering events across a range of different contexts, and the third will focus on organising award-winning events 👀
Make sure to bring your questions - we’ll wrap up with a live Q&A! These sessions are ideal for anyone interested in engaging their students or audiences in creativity, boosting their community engagement, finding unique ways to connect visitors with their collection, and being part of a worldwide celebration of drawing.
🗓️ Education Q&A: Thursday 4th June, 4-4:45pm (GMT)
🗓️ General Q&A: Friday 5th June, 1-1:45pm (GMT)
🗓️ Award-winning Events: Tuesday 30th June, 12-12:45pm (GMT)
📍 Online (book via the link in bio!)
🎟️ Free!
Welcome back to Deinfluencing drawing! Today we are putting down our pens and pencils and drawing with the tools we were born with - we’re finger painting!
Not sure what to draw? Struggling with a creative block? We’ve got you!
This series is all about throwing out the pressure to create ‘perfect’ art. We want to show you that drawing is fun and freeing and not that serious. We all spend far too much time worrying if something is going to look good, or fit a certain aesthetic. Everyone is innately creative, and everyone has the right to use creativity as an outlet to express themselves - you don’t need permission or fancy supplies or training. These activities are a reminder that so much of the joy of drawing is in the process, not the outcome.
#fingerpainting #creativeblock #trinitybuoywharf #deinfluencingdrawing #drawinginspo
