The 19th Cheltenham Illustration Awards invite illustrators to explore the theme Marvellous!, celebrating imagination, surprise, beauty and the unexpected. Organised by Pittville Press at the University of Gloucestershire, the international competition seeks narrative illustrations that capture a sense of wonder, from fantastical worlds to the quieter magic found in everyday life.
The theme is open to personal interpretation, giving artists freedom to explore what they find extraordinary. All illustration styles and techniques are welcome, whether the work draws on fantasy, storytelling or observations of the familiar. The organisers are particularly interested in visual narratives that communicate a distinctive interpretation of the theme.
The judging panel for the 19th edition includes illustrators Viet Huy Lam, Melissa Castrillon and Emily Kate Henshall, whose work spans children’s books, publishing and illustrated products. Submissions must be made through the online entry form available on the Pittville Press website. The deadline is 11:59 pm on 1 December 2026.
Entry fee: £10 per submission. A maximum of three submissions is permitted per person, costing up to £30 in total.
Eligibility
Open to students and emerging and established illustrators worldwide, although the 2026 call does not explicitly confirm a minimum age or further submission restrictions.
Prize
All successful entrants will have their work published in the 19th Cheltenham Illustration Awards annual and receive a complimentary printed copy, posted anywhere in the world. Selected illustrations will also feature in the awards’ touring exhibition. Additional prizes are planned, including portfolio reviews with invited industry specialists, but these and any further awards have yet to be confirmed.