u3a - Paint or Draw (POD) - a monthly art challenge

Send in pictures of your original artwork on a monthly theme to feature in our online gallery. No prizes, just prestige!

Are you a dab hand with a paintbrush or pencil?
Do you want to develop your skills or are you simply interested in the world around you and how to capture it in a piece of artwork?

We are running a monthly challenge to encourage people to paint or draw a piece of artwork, then take a photo of their work and submit their pictures via our online form. We are going to be posting a different theme each month and inviting u3a members to submit photos of their creations on that topic.

This is not a competition and it is not about your artistic ability – what we want from you are interesting pictures, possibly different perspectives on everyday scenes or objects, anything which has inspired you to paint or draw. Peter Akers, a member of the paint or draw network, has shared his helpful tips on Starting out in pastels, Sandra Foster has some tips on Acrylics and David Wrigley, another member, has shared some thoughts on Watercolours. We will be extending this network of members so please do contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to find out more.

At the end of every month, we will choose and publish up to 15 photos of artwork on an online gallery for each theme to share the pictures with all of our members. Just upload your photo using the form below (you will receive an acknowledgement once submitted). Follow the links at the bottom of the page to view previous galleries.

Please only submit one photo per person. Your photo of your artwork should also not include any recognisable people.

The theme "the 1980s" is now closed. Thank you to all those who submitted photos of their artwork on this theme. This is just a selection of the fantastic pictures that were sent in. It was very difficult to choose as they were all brilliant and much appreciated.

The theme for this month is: "Reversed"

Deadline for submissions: 11 February 2026

Follow this link to submit your photos on our WuFoo form

This month's gallery: Not quite what it seems

'Wardrobe or window ' by Shirley, Chesterfield u3a

Is the subject a wardrobe door or window? Digital sketch on a Samsung tablet.

'Seeing the unseen' by Annie, Grantham and Branston u3a

'Goat Shed' by Valerie, Camberley u3a

I have smartened up my tool shed. Now I have a goat shed.

'Line and colour' by Colin Pelton, Christchurch u3a

An abstract use of line and colour with freeform elements and geometric patterns. Sketchbook drawing on tablet.

'Port Hole' by Kare, Tenbury Wells u3a

This is an abstract piece but shows a boat coming into Port Hole. Not what it seems as we expect a port hole to be a window on a boat or ship.

'Hot Lips' by Chris, Long Eaton & District u3a

This was a great theme to work with. So many options for a bit of surreal Dali-esque artwork. I tried to make the chilli peppers as realistic as possible but retaining some characteristics of lips. This was painted with acrylic paint on smooth artboard

'Sheep or?' by Dennis, Northallerton u3a

This was a pencil sketch of a sheep standing on or by a wall. Then I saw either fish or chicken legs in the foreground, then a Magpie just to the side followed by a seal's head laid down at the side or a chicken leg.

'Follow my leader' by Stephanie, Saxon Shore u3a

My two daughters are the inspiration for much of my work.

'Sinister or friendship?' by Christine, Caterham u3a

This was produced using acrylic pens in the pointalism style.

'Rotting tree stump' by Sue, Carlisle & District u3a

This was inspired by a photo of an old rotting tree stump, but as I painted it (acrylic on canvas) I enhanced the colours and it took on the appearance of a flower.