u3a - Paint or Draw

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 "From Afar 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: "Rooftops"

Deadline for submissions: 4th December 2024

Follow this link to submit your photos on our WuFoo form

This month's gallery: From Afar

'Alexandra Palace' by Deborah Peaty, Palmers Green & Southgate u3a

This painting in Acrylics was inspired by the wonderful panoramic view over London seen from Alexandra Palace. One of the best free views of the city.

'Godrevy Lighthouse' by Kate Haskell, St Austell u3a

Inspired by my recent trip to Carbid Bay Hotel Spa in St Ives. The perfect late summers day looking out towards Godrevy Lighthouse.

'Crummock Water' by Anne Alnaimi, Dulwich u3a

My watercolour was painted from a photograph that I took on a visit to Crummock Water in the Lake District. It is a view to the far distance that I think is extraordinarily beautiful. I have been painting in watercolours for some time now and particularly enjoy landscapes.

'Tuscany' by Hurst, Hassocks' and Ditching u3a

A view of Tuscany hillside from a window . Painted using watercolour.

'Leprechaun' by Carol Reid, Torrevieja u3a

Actually he looks a bit like my brother who is Irish and far away. It started as an abstract watercolour and then the leprechaun arrived with acrylics. I think I'll call it Wishing Well. In every sense.

'Austria' by Anne Gill, Sully u3a

Measures a metre square in acrylics. Mountains from Austria.

'Along the cliff tops' by David Wrigley, Fleet and District u3a

I recently visited the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland. From Downhill beach, the cliffs stretch away, with the unusual sight of Mussenden Temple perched on the very edge in the distance.

'Murmuration' by Julie Gilson, Long Eaton and District u3a

Murmuration from our local park, in watercolour.

'Jewel of a Planet' by Angie Stanbury, Haslemere u3a

I was inspired by actor, William Shatner; who on going into space at age 90, was profoundly overwhelmed by seeing Earth. He was bought to tears as he stared at our beautiful planet. On returning, he spoke of the contrast between our vibrant, life-filled planet and the dark, empty void of space which lead him to reflect on mortality and the fragility of our existence. I wanted the focus to be on our jewel of a planet.

'London sunrise' by Rita Foster, Bishop's Stortford u3a

This picture is in watercolour, a scene of London's sunrise from a distance.

'Balloon' by Janet Amor, Bradford on Avon u3a

This is my interpretation of it as I thought that the people in the balloon were looking down at the people below from afar and the people on the ground were looking up at the balloon from afar.

'St Gaultier' by Lorna Walding, Runnymede u3a

My view of St.Gaultier far away in France where I stayed in the summer.

'The moon' by Susan Shaw, Hawkwell Village u3a

The moon viewed from afar.

'Stormy' by Paula Harmer, Doncaster u3a

I made this picture using watercolours as a challenge because it differs so much from my usual medium, soft pastels, and my usual subject, animal portraiture. Although it was indeed a challenge, I do believe that is what helps us grow as artists, whatever the level we operate at!

'Lost bear' by Salim Quraishy, Harrow u3a

A lost bear looks from Afar the Canadian Rockies & thinks thr Rockies look the same as the American one.

View our selections from previous themes: