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 WINNER OF FIRST PRIZE | 12th PORTRAITJacob Hansel Church | Oil | USA |
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TERAVARNA has merged the Figurative and Portrait Art Competitions, allowing artists to submit their creations under one unified theme as PORTRAIT. The 13th PORTRAIT Art Competition is a celebration of striking faces to soulful figures. Join and capture the essence of your subject in any style or medium, with power & personality. Win cash prizes, prestigious certificates, global exposure, and a featured showcase on TERAVARNA’s platform, seen by thousands. Let your portrait artworks speak louder than words — and show the world what only you can see!
The TERAVARNA gallery continues to uplift the spirits of artists worldwide with greater exposure and new opportunities — and this time, too, we have some surprises as add-ons, ensuring every creator can dream big!
CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION
This is an esteemed portrait art contest that centers around the captivating theme of PORTRAIT. Artists are invited to explore the endless expressions and emotions conveyed through the human face and figures, pushing the boundaries of artistic representation.
This inclusive competition extends beyond human subjects, welcoming artists to include figurative artworks and portraits of animals as well. Whether artists choose a representational or abstract approach, they are encouraged to unleash their creativity across various media for this portrait art contest.
Submission guidelines, available below, offer detailed information for artists eager to participate in this stimulating international portrait competition in 2026. Please note that the minimum age requirement for participation is 18 years. Don't miss the opportunity to showcase your talent in this renowned portrait drawing contest.
CATEGORY
All types of visual art will be considered for the portrait art competition 2026, including but not limited to Painting & Mixed Media, Photography & Digital, and Sculpture & 3D Installation.
DEADLINE
The deadline for submission is July 31, 2026. * NOTE THAT THIS DEADLINE WILL NOT BE EXTENDED.
AWARD & PRIZES
Up to $5,000 in cash prizes will be given out to winning artists. **
Lucrative prize money will be awarded to our talented participants, honoring their brilliant efforts. Depending on the number and quality of artworks submitted, the following prizes will be considered:
First Prize Award | $500-$1000
Runner-Up Prize Award | $350-$500
Merit Prize Award | $250-$350
Talent Prize Award | $100-$250
Honorable Mention Award
Finalist Award
1) Premium Marketplace Feature: The First, Runners-up, and Merit prize winners of the competition will receive a free feature on a premier art marketplace like ARTSY for 6 months. This visibility will elevate their credentials and enhance their prospect of art sales.
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The First prize winners can feature up to 10 artworks, the Runner-ups can feature up to 5 artworks, and the Merit prize winners can feature up to 3 artworks on ARTSY for 6 months.
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Talent prize winners can add a special 6-month representation on ARTSY for just $211; get your work viewed by seasoned collectors and reputed galleries on a global platform.
2) Immersive VR Showcase to Boost Profile: There will be a special VR feature for all cash prize winners, showcasing their winning artworks in a simulated environment. Displaying artworks in immersive gallery setups like TERAVARNA will attract collectors and art enthusiasts across the globe, roping in more productive engagement, accelerating sales, and global visibility for artists.
3) Global Presence through Social Media: TERAVARNA actively promotes winning artists through dedicated features across major social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and also on YouTube. They are highlighted through curated posts, stories, feeds, reels, and carousels to attract art lovers and collectors worldwide.
4) Newsletter Feature for Wider Exposure: TERAVARNA features competition winners in its monthly newsletter, which also highlights their achievements while introducing their talent to an engaged community of subscribers. These digital promotion strategies go a long way in elevating an artist’s online presence. Besides, it creates opportunities for global recognition, networking, and sales.
5) Making Art Accessible to All: TERAVARNA offers special coupons for persons with disabilities and artists participating from developing countries (refer to the TERAVARNA Foundation website for details). *
*Artists applying for physically challenged categories or representing developing regions must submit valid supporting documents to claim the coupon. The coupon will be sent via email after the necessary verification process is done. Each coupon will be applicable for one submission only. These submissions will be juried separately.
** Note that TERAVARNA doesn't promise entrant artists to win a prize in money or money's worth in any of its competitions. Instead, only artists selected by an independent jury from a pool of applicants will be eligible to receive professionally designed Certificates of Recognition. In case there are joint winners for any of the cash prizes, the money will be split evenly among the contestants. Similarly, if a category does not receive enough entries to be judged fairly within that category alone, it will be considered alongside other categories with sufficient entries. The final prize amount will depend on the total number of entries, but will always be within the indicated range.
The entry fee for each artwork is $20 (non-refundable).
If you'd like to enter more than 10 artworks for consideration, please go back to fill in your details and submit again.
ART WITH IMPACT: TERAVARNA will donate 5% of all entry fees, up to $250, from this juried art competition to support wildlife conservation efforts led by NGOs working to protect habitats and endangered species worldwide. Every entry gives back. Every stroke can make a difference.
FEES
TIMELINE
NOW | Art Competition Open
31 July 2026, 11:59 PM California Time
Cash Prize Notification Starts
Deadline for Entries
5 AUGUST 2026
Non-Cash Prize Notification Starts
Exhibition of Winning Artworks Starts
Cash Prize Distribution Starts***
7 AUGUST 2026
7 AUGUST 2026
21 AUGUST 2026
29 AUGUST 2026
Exhibition of Winning Artworks Ends
*** All cash prizes are given out via PayPal. If you don't have a free PayPal account, you can get one here..
IMAGE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Please make sure to meet all of the specifications outlined below:
1. Which file format is required for my submission?
-Only JPEG or JPG files are accepted.
2. What is the file size requirement for submission?
-Less than 2MB is preferred, but we will accept files up to 5MB maximum.
3. How should I crop my image?
-Your image should be cleanly cropped, showing only the artwork.
-Remove any borders, frames, backgrounds, or unnecessary elements.
4. How clear should my image be?
-Ensure your image is in sharp focus, not blurry.
-The artwork should be clearly visible from a front-facing view.
Disclaimer: Please note that TERAVARNA does not accept AI-generated artworks for submission.
HOW TO APPLY
STEP 1: Choose the number of artworks you'd like to submit from one of the options below.
STEP 2: Click on the number of artworks and proceed to make a payment. You can pay by PayPal or via credit card.
STEP 3: After successful payment, you'll be redirected to a page where you can upload your images and other details.
NOTE: If you have any issues with your image submissions, please email us at info@teravarna.com and we'll promptly get back to you
HOW MANY ARTWORKS ARE YOU SUBMITTING?
TERAVARNA's only official email ID is info@teravarna.com. If you receive messages from any other address, please forward them to us for verification before responding. Your safety is our top priority.
Still Not Sure If You Should Participate?
Let us convince you otherwise...
Drawing a portrait and depicting emotions is one of the challenging genres of artwork. Artists who are adept at drawing faces on a canvas and interpreting feelings are quite good with emotions. They know what a person feels and express it skilfully with their colors and brushes. Let the world witness your portrait magic on canvas and other figurative forms by participating in the best portrait drawing art contest of 2026! TERAVARNA presents a trusted international platform where you can send your entries and compete with other artists.
The prime reason for participating in an international portrait drawing contest is to gain admiration from a global audience. Your masterpieces have the right to get exhibited and witnessed by the world of art aficionados. You can be a renowned artist giving birth to a new artistic trend. Become one by getting your work admired and assessed by world-renowned critics.
The jurors for this portrait art contest are experts chosen from experienced profiles across the world. Get a unique chance to be admired by these exemplary critics and learn from your experience. Whether you are a budding portrait artist or a professional painter, you can participate in our exhibition following the genre protocols.
We organize portrait painting competitions digitally to provide a brilliant platform for painters and art aficionados to connect with each other. This portal will give you an international platform to become established like the creators of famous portrait paintings. The rewards are no less mind-blowing! The winners will get cash prizes up to $5,000 and honorary mentions in art magazines, social media platforms, and other portals. Cash prize winners can boost their profiles with a free representation on a revered platform like ARTSY for 6 continuous months (for the first prize, runner-up, and merit prize winners). Besides, new VR displays will showcase the winning artworks in a simulated environment to attract collectors and art enthusiasts across the globe. These rewards will inspire you to keep pushing boundaries in your creative endeavors.
Keep an eye on this page for the latest information about the upcoming portrait art competition. Go through the guidelines well and prepare your artist’s profile. Prove your artistic skills to the world and win accolades. Be a part of this creative contest and establish your career as a portrait artist!
