WELCOME TO THE 2026 DERWENT ART PRIZE

Image: Gillian Cullen: Baubles

Created in 2012 by Derwent, the Derwent Art Prize rewards excellence by showcasing the very best artworks made in pencil by artists from around the world. We will be announcing the Shortlist for the 2026 Prize and exhibition!

The 2026 prize received over 5,000 entries by  2,100 artists in 77 countries. The selectors - Charles Villeneuve De Janti, Modupeola Fadugba and Kathleen Soriano - shortlisted 71 artworks for the exhibition. The shortlisted works will be exhibited at The OXO Gallery, London, from 9 April to 19 April 2026 and online.

The exhibition showcased a rich display of art in pencil, ranging from abstraction and experimentation to the hyper-realistic and expressive.

The Derwent Art Prize awarded prizes totalling over £13,500, including a First Prize of £4,000 plus a year's supply of Derwent products, to outstanding artists from the shortlist. 

Prizes include: 

• First Prize: £4,000 plus a year’s supply of Derwent products. 

• Second Prize: £2,000 and a box of Derwent Lightfast Pencils. 

• Young Artist First Prize: £4,000. 

• Young Artist Second Prize: £2,000. 

• New Artist Prize: £500 to an artist who has never entered the Derwent Art Prize before. 

• The People’s Choice Award, worth £500, is announced at the end of the exhibition. 

• Educator’s Award: £500