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 Old Town" 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: "Urban jungle"

Deadline for submissions: 3 June 2026

Follow this link to submit your photos on our WuFoo form

This month's gallery: Into the Blue

'The sea' by Carolyn, Barnet u3a

I love the sea and I am generally a bit of a realist when I paint but decided to have a go at impressionism and this is the result.

'Loch Ness' by Christine, Caterham u3a

My picture is Loch Ness in winter giving a very blue hue. It was produced in acrylic in the pointalism style from a photo sent be friends who had moved to a picturesque Scotland.

Blue hues at sea by Dennis, Northallerton u3a

Acrylic on board

'Passage of life' by Nicholas, Hampstead Garden Suburb

My abstract watercolour shows the passage of life all in the blue.

'Chefchaouen, Morocco' by Annie, Pontyclun u3a

I saw a picture in a newspaper about a street in the blue medina, Chefchaouen, Morocco and it made me think "Into the Blue" straight away! I used my usual water-mixable oils to paint my version.

'Nectar' by Janes, Interest Groups Online

A bee enjoying nectar from a bluebell. Acrylic on canvas board.

'Dreams' by Vyanjana, Barnet u3a

Thoughts beacome dreams .....when you look......into the blue.....

'Blues' by Salim, Harrow u3a

Created at the end of the last century, blues music is a style of music that is heavily influenced by African American history. Blues music originated in the Southern United States during the late 19th century, created by African Americans.

'Egypt' by Julie, Baddow and Galleywood u3a

This painting is in response to a seascape theme set by the leader of the Artful Adventures group I have recently joined. The inspiration is from a holiday brochure and is a reminder of my own adventure under the water in Egypt sever'Egypt' by al years ago.

'Enjoying the view' by Ian, Witham & District (Essex) u3a.

A pen and watercolour image of a group of paragliders against an almost clear blue sky, having launched themselves 'into the blue' and now, presumably, enjoying the view.

'Bluebells' by Janet, Bradford on Avon u3a

I was inspired to paint ‘Into the Blue’ because I have enjoyed all the lovely bluebells on display at this time of the year. I have seen a lot while travelling along on a steam train.