​Pastel Challenge

In the PANZ quarterly newsletter, and Facebook page our members are invited to submit artwork to a Newsletter Pastel Challenge.
​There are two divisions – General (non-Honorary Members); Honorary Members (APANZ upwards)
The competition is usually a theme of sorts, and will be judged.
​The winning artwork receives $100 and second place $50. Please see each Newsletter for details. 

So that you can plan ahead, here are the topics for the coming year:

Issue Date	Subject	Deadline	Challenge #	Judge
Feb/Mar 26	CAMOUFLAGED IN NATURE	15-January	#81	Nicola Reif
Apr/May 26	GLORIOUS GARDENS	15 March	#82	tba
Jun/Jul 26	BLUE & GREEN SHOULD NEVER BE SEEN (Or should they?)	15 May	#83	tba
Aug/Sept 26	THE WORLD OF MUSIC (OR SOUND)	15 July	#84	tba
Oct/Nov 26	PLAYING WITH FIRE	15 September	#85	tba
Dec/Jan 26	FAMILY	15 November	#86	tba
Dec/Jan 26	Holiday Cover	15 November	Holiday 2026	tba

CHALLENGE RULES

• ·       Entry in the Newsletter Pastel Challenge competition is restricted to paid up members of Pastel Artists of NZ (Inc)
  ·       One entry per person, per competition (except for the annual holiday cover in December that coincides with the regular themed challenge.)
  ·       All entries are judged by a number – not the artist.
  ·       All entries will be published in the next issue of NZ Pastel Artist.
  ·       An artist winning First or Second place in the Newsletter Pastel Challenge is not eligible to enter again for 2 challenges from winning entry.
  ·       Photos must be of high resolution - at least 1MB. Crop out untidy edges or easels.
  ·       Entries MUST be owned by the artist, and be the original work of the artist, NOT copied from other sources or completed in a workshop. NO AI generated images will be accepted.
  ·       PANZ strongly urges artists who use reference photos to use images they have taken themselves. When using reference photos taken by others (including downloaded from free-use websites), permission must have been obtained, and credit must be clearly stated.
  ·       No images created by AI may be used as reference for artwork.
  ·       All artwork must be 80% pastel. Any mixed media must be in a physical form or medium (No AI).
  ·       Entries received after the closing date will not be accepted.
  ·       Entries MUST have been completed within the last two years and not previously exhibited in the PANZ National Exhibition or a previous challenge.
  ·       Entries (including winners) in the Pastel Challenge may be entered into the upcoming PANZ National Exhibition. 
  ·       NO Diptychs or Triptychs please.
  ·       The entries will be collated and emailed to a recognised artist/judge(s) for assessment.
  ·       Prizes will be awarded at the discretion of the judge(s). Judge’s decisions are final.
  ·       This Challenge is not part of the PANZ Awards system. No points will be allotted to the winner.
  ·       By entering this competition, you agree that your art may be posted on Social Media.

How to enter: 
Entries via email to [email protected]
Specify Pastel Challenge number in the subject line. Attach entry image as a .jpg file.
In your email, please include:

• Your full name (sometimes it’s not obvious from your email)
• Your category (General or Honourary)
• The title of your entry
• The size of your entry
• A declaration stating: “My entry is owned by me, and is an original artwork - no AI used.”
• Pastels/pastel pencils used, and paper used.
• That the work was created within the last 2 years.

TIPS for entering the challenge:

1. Ensure your images are high resolution (at least 1MB) and cropped neatly.
2. Take photos of your work BEFORE it’s framed, regardless of what you plan to do with it. Once it’s framed, it’s difficult to get a good photo without reflections off the glass.
3. An interesting title can add to the overall experience of others viewing your art.
4. In this current AI culture we live in, anyone’s work may be called into question if it’s suspected of being an AI generated image. It’s good practice to be prepared with evidence that shows your work is an original pastel painting created by you, should you ever be asked for proof. These are some things you can do to prepare:
   • While you are creating your art, take work in progress images. Include yourself in some images, include high-res close-ups of your hand and your pastel. You can even take short videos of you creating the work as you go.
   • Take close-up photos of various sections of your painting before framing. This will show the mark-making, blending, and fine dust that pastel is known for.
   • Make a note of what pastels/pastel pencils and paper you used.
   • If you have not done any of these things and your painting is framed, then you can take a video of you re-creating a small section of the painting using the same pastels and support that you used when creating the original painting.
   • Please read the rules before entering. Inquiries to [email protected]

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