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 "Illumination" 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: "Comedy"

Deadline for submissions: 26 August 2026

Follow this link to submit your photos on our WuFoo form

This month's gallery: Illumination

'Lighthouses' by Colin, Christchurch u3a

I am drawn (excuse pun) to lighthouses. I drew this with Adobe Fresco and used the geometric patterns of overlapping lines to mimic the beam patterns from a lighthouse lamp.

'Corbiere Lighthouse' by Chris, Long Eton & District u3a

Corbiere lighthouse is an iconic building sat on a pinnacle of rock on the South West coast of Jersey. I took the reference photo for this in daylight but have reimagined the painting as a setting at dusk with the lighthouse lamp just becoming illuminated. Such a beautiful part of the world.

'Artificial light' by Mike, West Pennine Villages u3a

I'm interested in artificial light and how places such as petrol stations at night stand out in contrast with their surroundings.

'Heading North at Sunset' by Jac, Northallerton u3a

View from the train, final illumination before nightfall.

'Manuscripts' by Nordzin, Cardiff u3a

'Illumination' immediately brought illuminated manuscripts to mind, so I went with that. Ink and watercolour.

'LV15 Trinity light vessel' by Julie, Baddow and Galleywood u3a

This light ship provided Illumination for shipping navigation in the Bristol Channel and Morecambe Bay from 1954 to 1986. It was then converted to a residential activity centre.
Now moored on the ancient Tollesbury Wick salt marshes in Essex where it is enjoyed and admired.
Artwork in acrylic paint, pen and chalk pastels.

'December Street Scene' by Anne, Hale & District u3a

Illuminated by street lights and traffic signals on a dark winter evening.

'Bright sky' by Nicholas, Hampstead Garden Suburb u3a

My watercolour painting was inspired by the blood moon that occurred earlier in the year in the skies

'Illuminating the entrance to the dark Valley' by Salim, Harrow u3a

'Lightning' by Janet, Bradford on Avon u3a

I was inspired to do this painting after seeing lightning illuminating the sky during an electric storm in Dorset.

'Passageway' by Annie, Pontyclun/Bridgend u3a

I tried to create light in different parts of the painting (water-mixable oils). I hope I succeeded with the far end of the passsageway, the large pots, the foreground, the lamp and the window.

'Standing in the Spotlight' by Ian Weatherley, Witham & District (Essex) u3a.

I don't know why, but my very first idea on this theme was 'Standing in the Spotlight', so here is my entry, drawn in pastel pencil on textured black paper, of a plastic toy lion doing just that!

'Illuminating background' by Karen

This is painted in acrylic with illuminating background and trees with lights that have been reflected in the ground with shadows giving the impression of it having rained. Love the colours with the black.

'Corridor' by Dawn, Ilkley and District u3a

Illuminated corridor in watercolour pencil.

'Jellyfish' by Jane, Interest Groups Online

Acrylic paint on board.

View our selections from previous themes:

Paint or draw