Cheltenham Illustration Awards No.19: "Marvellous!"

The Cheltenham Illustration Awards are an international illustration competition run by Pittville Press, the publishing imprint of the University of Gloucestershire's illustration course in Cheltenham, England. The 19th edition has the theme "Marvellous!", a celebration of imagination, surprise, beauty, curiosity and awe. It is open to students and to emerging and established illustrators worldwide. Successful entries are published in the awards annual and shown in a touring exhibition. Submissions close on 1 December 2026.

All styles and techniques are welcome, from fantastical worlds and bold storytelling to quiet moments of magic.

The Theme: "Marvellous!"

The organisers ask you to show what "marvellous" means through a narrative interpretation. That could be a fantastical world, a strange creature, a moment of wonder in everyday life, or something small and quietly beautiful. The brief is open, so a clear, personal idea will stand out more than a literal one.

What Successful Entrants Receive

• Publication in the 19th Illustration Awards annual, with a free copy posted anywhere in the world
• Exhibition: inclusion in the awards exhibition tour, which traditionally opens at the Elwes Gallery on the university's Park Campus
• Extra prizes: portfolio reviews with invited industry specialists, to be confirmed

Judges featured on the awards website include the picture book illustrator Melissa Castrillon and the artist and maker Emily Kate Henshall.

Who Can Enter the Cheltenham Illustration Awards?

Students and emerging and established illustrators from anywhere in the world. It suits:

• Illustration students looking for a first publication credit
• Picture book and narrative illustrators
• Printmakers, collage artists and digital illustrators
• Recent graduates building a portfolio

Fees

Each submission costs £10, paid through the University of Gloucestershire online store. You can enter up to three submissions, for £20 or £30 in total.

How to Enter

Create your illustration on the theme, then submit through the button on the awards website and pay the entry fee in the university's online store. If you have questions, the organisers can be contacted by email at Pittville Press.

Previous Editions

Recent themes have included "Interconnectivity", "Future Forecasts" and "Uncanny". The awards receive entries from around the world each year, and the annuals are sold by Pittville Press. Looking at a previous annual is a good way to judge the level and range of work selected.

Tips for Entering

Interpret the theme in your own way rather than illustrating the word itself. Show a strong narrative idea in a single image, and make sure your file is high quality, as selected work will be printed. If you enter more than one piece, show range rather than three versions of the same idea.

Ideas for Interpreting the Theme

"Marvellous" can be loud or quiet. You might draw a creature from folklore, an impossible city, a moment of discovery in a child's day, or the wonder of something ordinary seen up close, like a beetle's shell or frost on a window. Think about who is amazed in your image and why, as a clear point of view helps the viewer share the feeling. Strong colour, unusual composition and careful detail can all create a sense of awe.

Before You Submit

Check that your file is at print quality, and keep a record of your payment in the university store. Successful entrants are published, so make sure the work is entirely your own and that you are happy for it to appear in the annual and the exhibition.

Things to Consider

• Fee per submission.
• Exhibition and publication, not cash prizes.
• Theme: "Marvellous!".
• Deadline: 1 December 2026.

Enter the Awards

Ready to show us something marvellous?

Enter the Cheltenham Illustration Awards

The brief and entry link are on the Pittville Press website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: November 3, 2026