The 27th Annual Pastel 100 Art Competition, organized by Pastel Journal and Artists Network, is an international pastel art contest attracting talented pastel artists from around the globe. Celebrating mastery in pastel painting, this renowned competition provides artists a prestigious platform to showcase their original pastel artworks in five distinct categories: Animal & Wildlife, Abstract & Non-Objective, Landscape & Interior, Portrait & Figure, and Still Life & Floral. As one of the most anticipated annual events in the pastel community, Pastel 100 offers unparalleled opportunities for artists to achieve recognition, exposure, and validation among their peers and art collectors alike.
Artists participating in the Pastel 100 competition have the unique opportunity to gain international visibility through the extensive promotion provided by Artists Network. Winners benefit from high-profile coverage in Pastel Journal’s spring 2026 issue, highlighting their artistic excellence and creative innovation in pastel painting. Moreover, this contest serves as a significant career milestone for many artists, enhancing their professional profiles, attracting potential collectors and galleries, and opening pathways for further exhibition opportunities.
Beyond prestige and publication, entrants compete for substantial rewards, including generous cash prizes and high-quality pastel art materials sponsored by prominent art supply brands. The competition’s rigorous judging process involves evaluation by distinguished pastel art professionals and critics, ensuring that awarded pieces reflect exceptional skill, originality, and artistic merit. Pastel 100 thereby continues to uphold its reputation as a benchmark event in the pastel art world, fostering growth, inspiration, and recognition among established and emerging pastel artists worldwide.
Entry fee: $30 per image.
Eligibility
Open to artists worldwide aged 16 or older, submitting original works that are at least 80% soft pastel (no oil pastel), including Nupastels and harder pastels considered soft.
Prize
Judges will award a total of 100 prizes including 25 category awards (five per category) across Animal & Wildlife, Abstract & Non‑Objective, Landscape & Interior, Portrait & Figure, and Still Life & Floral. Winners receive cash prizes, premium art materials from sponsors, publication in the Spring 2026 Pastel Journal, and broad exposure and recognition for their pastel work.
