Artists participating in different competitions often feel that it is enough just to submit a suitable artwork to be able to win a competition. However, this approach may not always work in most competitions. Yes, your artwork matters a lot, but several other factors can make or break your competition experience. In this blog, we will particularly focus on the landscape art competitions, and what you can do to bag your next big win.
What is a Landscape Art?
For those who don’t understand, landscape art is any artwork that depicts natural sceneries such as rivers, mountains, snowfall, fields, etc. Another common factor in this type of artwork is that human depiction in such artworks is either very little or not present at all. In other words, the subject matter of these artworks is different types of natural or manmade landscapes, that may or may not have human beings present in them. Even if they are depicted, it is just to accentuate the subject, and not to steal attention from the landscape.
Tips to Ace a Landscape Art Competition
Like it was stated earlier, sometimes a good artwork alone may not be enough, if you don’t take care of these other factors. Here are some tips that will help you.
1. Research the organizer
Apart from your art, your winning stakes can also severely depend on the organizer of the competition. If they have been exhibiting or organizing competitions in the past, it might not be such a bad idea to study the artworks that have previously won or the type of work the gallery usually displays. A little bit of effort in research might help you figure out the preferences of the organizer. It could be the uniqueness factor, or some particular styles that they prefer over others. Some organizers are also more inclined towards finding new undiscovered talent, so in that case you will know if the competition is a suitable choice for you or not in that case,
2. Stick to the theme
If it is a landscape art competition, make sure you stick to landscape art. Don’t try to submit artworks that divert from the theme, or only loosely revolve around landscape. Your prior research about the organizer might also help you here. In some cases, they are flexible about slightly deviating from the theme, but in other cases, they might want to choose artists who strictly stay true to the given theme. For example, some organizers might not appreciate your submission of an abstract landscape for a landscape art competition, but some may be more welcoming. Make your decision wisely.
3. The more the merrier
If you have different artwork that resonates with the theme of a landscape art competition, submitting more than one artwork may increase your chances of winning. Most competitions conduct blind jurying and judges don’t know who the artist is. However, submitting multiple artworks means that the judges will see your work multiple times, thus giving them a chance to study your work better. It is not a fool-proof technique, but gaining more visibility has almost always helped in setting yourself apart from the competition.
4. Provide proper descriptions if asked
Asking for artwork descriptions during competitions is one way of gauging if the artist understands their own work. This can be a tough nut to crack and even some exceptional artists find it challenging. However, a solid description conveys to judges that you understand your technique and you know what you are doing. Even if you are new, many judges prefer to choose an artist who understands their art and is serious about it, over someone who couldn’t even care enough to put a suitable description.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Results
Despite every tip that we have to offer, winning and losing can never be guaranteed in a competition. There are several factors that influence the outcome and it could also be something completely out of your control. However, as an artist, you should never let the conclusion of a competition affect your artistic pursuits. If you win, you may get cash prizes, free promotions, and exhibition opportunities but if you don’t, you get time to hone your craft and try again. In either case, it is always advisable to choose competitions that align with your career goals as an artist and continue giving your best.
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