u3a - Paint or Draw - 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 "Mud" 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: "Hoax"

Deadline for submissions: 17 December 2026

Follow this link to submit your photos on our WuFoo form

This month's gallery: Cathedral

'A modern day spire' by Christine, Caterham u3a

My painting was inspired by a photograph my grandson took while in London. Painted using watercolour and pen.

'Coventry Cathedral' by Fran, Kenilworth u3a

I was moved by the Coventry Blitz Anniversary lightshow a few years back and found photos on Google from the Where Light Falls Project of the time, when the old cathedral was lit so spectacularly. Crowds came out to watch despite bad November weather conditions.

'Saint Magnus Orkney' by Anne, Branston u3a

Saint Magnus Orkney

'Gothic Sky' by Colin, Christchurch u3a

Loosely based on the design of Salisbury Cathedral, this sketch was drawn with charcoals and pastels then finished with sandpaper and the image post processed with an Adobe filter. An attempt to capture the sky-piercing architecture of this incredible structure.

'All Saints' by Elaine, Northallerton u3a

My Cathedral is the ‘big church’ All Saints’ at Northallerton. Painted in acrylics from a photo taken early morning with the sun rising from the east.

'John Piper' by Patricia, Dartmouth u3a

Inspired by John Piper I was trying to add some drama to this lovely window of a ruined ecclesiastical building. I enjoyed to use of orange and purple in setting the rich tones then leaving the surrounding stone work softly suggested to focus the attention on the window structure. Maybe darker background colours would have added more drama but may have detracted from the delicate structure.

'Venice' by Julie, Long Eaton & District u3a

My Venice painting showing their Cathedral in the distance

'St Michael's College Cloisters' by Karen, Tenby Wells u3a

This is a picture of St Michael's College Cloisters. The college is attached to the church at St Michael's. This a is mixed media piece and the architecture and flooring is what appealled to me most. No cathedrals in Tenbury Wells, just churches.

'Salisbury Cathedral' by Julie, Waterlooville u3a

Salisbury Cathedral, I have visited here a few times.

'France' by Jo, Cardiff u3a

I love France and a trip to this mediaeval town was the inspiration for this painting.

'Listed building' by Anne, Hale & District u3a

A grade 1 listed building in the heart of Manchester, parts of which date back to the 1400s. It was extensively restored in Victorian times and again after bomb damage in World War 2.