STAEDTLER International Creative Challenge 2026
Become one of the “STAEDTLER Upcoming Artists of the Year 2026” and win fantastic prizes!
From 1st August 2026, we are calling on all creatives aged 18 and over to enter our art competition, no matter whether you're just at the start of your creative journey, or more advanced. Share your artwork on the theme “Around the World” with us. We want to show off your creativity - and reward it!
So whether you’re painting and drawing with graphite pencils, coloured pencils, felt-tip pens, watercolours, or acrylic paints: show off your talent for the chance to win great prizes! 🏆
The theme: Around the World
Travel through art - capture the places you dream of, the journeys you remember, and the destinations that inspire you - shaped by people, cultures and traditions.
Create your “Around the World” artwork and take your chance to win in several prize categories:
🎨 Most Skilful Composition
For artworks with a strong layout, balance and impressive artistic technique.
💡 Most Creative Interpretation
For the most original and imaginative take on the theme “Around the world”.
✏️ Most Outstanding Use of STAEDTLER Products
For artworks that demonstrate an exceptional use of STAEDTLER products.
Important: To be eligible for this category, the STAEDTLER products used must be visible in the uploaded image.
❤️ Fan Favourite
For the artwork that captures the hearts of the community.
(You will find the link to the public vote further down in the entry section during the entry period.)
🌍 Country Winner
Plus, one national winner will be selected in each participating country by a local jury member.
1. CREATE
Create a hand-drawn work of art on the theme “Around the world”.
(We celebrate analogue art: AI-generated images are not accepted. If an entry raises questions, we may review it. Winners may be asked to submit their original artwork.)
Need some inspiration?
Explore the gallery of entries submitted so far - without voting. Your own artwork will also appear here no later than 3 working days after submission.
2. UPLOAD
Take a clear photo of your artwork from a top-down perspective and upload it by 31st October 2026, 23:59 UTC to enter the Creative Challenge.
Please note: only one image per upload is allowed. If you would like to participate with several artworks, please upload each image separately.
3. VOTE for your “Fan Favourite”
After review, your submission will appear in the voting gallery no later than 3 working days after upload.
You can cast up to three votes for your favourite artwork until 8th November 2026, 23:59 UTC (one vote per image), and help decide who will become the “Fan Favourite”.
Please note: all votes must be submitted in one session. You cannot return to the voting gallery later to vote again.
4. WIN great prizes
An expert jury will select the winners in the different STAEDTLER Creative Challenge categories.
In addition, the community will choose the “Fan Favourite” through the public voting.
One Country Winner will also be selected in each participating country.
The prizes up for grabs 🏆
🥇 Most Skilful Composition
€1,500 travel voucher + STAEDTLER product package worth €500 + prize certificate
🥇 Most Creative Interpreation
€1,500 travel voucher + STAEDTLER product package worth €500 + prize certificate
🥇 Most Outstanding Use of STAEDTLER Products
€1,500 travel voucher + STAEDTLER product package worth €500 + prize certificate
🥇 Fan Favourite
€1,500 travel voucher + STAEDTLER product package worth €500 + prize certificate
🥇 Each Country National Winner
STAEDTLER product package worth €500 + prize certificate
Our jury
I’m Emma Towers-Evans, a hyperrealistic graphite artist and educator. My work is recognized for its detail, symbolism, and precision, and I teach students worldwide through my online drawing school, Learn Realism. As a Creative Challenge jury member, I’m excited to encourage bold experimentation and celebrate creativity, growth, and each artist’s unique perspective.
I’m Kalliopi Lyviaki, a self-taught artist working across watercolours and mixed media, rooted in observing and translating everyday life. Being a jury member feels very special to me. I want to encourage curiosity, creative courage, and trusting your voice to express meaningful, personal stories through art.
We’re the Team STAEDTLER, a jury of employees who have worked closely with our products, their features, and creative possibilities for many years. For this category, we’re excited to celebrate artworks that make outstanding use of STAEDTLER products and show how the right tools can bring creative ideas to life.
I’m Ntethelelo Mncwango, a South African visual artist and muralist known as LELO THEART. My work explores storytelling, identity and emotion, blending realism and abstraction across murals and illustrations.
Inspired by personal experiences, I create meaningful, immersive artworks that connect and transform the spaces they inhabit.
Find the right tools for your next creative journey!
Whether you’re just starting out, creating for fun, or refining your artistic skills - discover STAEDTLER products that help bring your ideas to life, from the first sketch to the final detail.
For beginners and hobby creatives
Design Journey is more than just a product range. Alongside ✓ specially designed products for beginners and hobby artists, you can discover ✓ extensive drawing courses covering a wide range of creative techniques, as well as ✓ plenty of inspiration for your next work of art.
For advanced creatives and artists
Discover premium quality artist tools engineered with precision to bring your imagination to life and meet the highest demands. Designed for sketching, drawing and illustrating, the Artist Series range offers superior features and performance - so every stroke brings you closer to brilliance.