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 "Island" 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: "The 1980s"

Deadline for submissions: 26 November 2025

Follow this link to submit your photos on our WuFoo form

This month's gallery: Seasons

'Winter' by Vanda, Barnsley & District u3a

A Walk Around Newmillerdam “Winter” – acrylic ink & watercolour A peaceful winter walk captured in brushstrokes — soft light, quiet reflections, and the stillness of the season.

'Autumn fruits' by Valerie, Camberley u3a

Love the smell of autumn woodland.

'Christmas Wreath' by Corinne, Oxton and Prenton u3a

This is part of a diary type series, originally started during the first Covid lockdown. Pen and ink with a watercolour wash.

'The sun going down on a hot dry summer' by Marian, West Herts u3a

'Umbrella' by Laurie, Banbury u3a

Collage using gel printed papers. Inspired by watching a small girl battle her umbrella on a windy day in November.

'Green man' by Beatrice, Farnham u3a

I was inspired by the Green Man fertility symbol and incorporated holly, spring blossom, a sunflower and an autumn leaf to represent the seasons

'No thorns in the Vine' by Bev

Oil on canvas 180cm wide x 50cm high.

'Sh’rooms!' by Tania, Washington Village u3a

There’s something about an English woodland in Autumn that just lends itself to watercolours. The snail adds an extra bit of colour and fun.

'Storm clouds' by Carolyn, Barnet u3a

My granddaughter and I were driving in West Sussex and I was struck by the darkness of the threatening storm clouds over the golden fields so took a quick snapshot to paint it later in watercolour.

'Harvest' by Liisa, Stroud u3a

I decided to experiment with oil pastels to draw some seasonal harvest produce.

'Winter' by Dennis, Northallerton u3a

Winter not too cold but ok.— Watercolour.

"A warm Summer Welcome" by Ian, Witham & District (Essex) u3a

A pen and coloured pencil sketch of the colourful inflated arch welcoming us all to the local Summer Fair, reminding us of brighter, warmer days earlier in the year.

'Harvest for Winter' by Lichien, Farnham u3a

Chinese Brush painting, harvest for Winter. Calligraphy: an Autumn afternoon just finished gardening work, relaxing and enjoying this nice weather. It's time to play with the cat a bit.

'The tree through the year' by Brigitte, Locks Heath u3a

This was done in watercolour paint.

'Memories of Summer in Sarlat‘ by Paula, Doncaster u3a

Acrylic on canvas, 40cm x 20cm I painted this from a sketch made in situ, but to make it more meaningful I painted me and my daughter in the foreground, but as we were 35years ago.

View our selections from previous themes: