Portrait Artists of the Year | 2026

Artit is thrilled to announce its 8th International Call for Portrait Artists of the Year 2026.

This is an open invitation to artists worldwide to submit their work and be part of a publication that celebrates the full spectrum of portraiture — from realism to abstraction, and everything in between. The finalists will be featured in our open-access, non-commercial publication, promoted across Artit's channels and platform, and seen by a wide audience of art lovers and curators.

We welcome two-dimensional visual artworks in any style (excluding photography) and encourage participation from artists of all backgrounds, cultures, and levels of experience. What matters most is your perspective — how you see, interpret, and represent the human form in today's world.

This year, as in 2025, two awards will be given. The People's Choice Award will be voted by the public, and the Jury Award will be selected by our panel of judges: Tania Rivilis, Milo Hartnoll, Ayuna Solarazure, Kevin Schott and Vanessa Van Meerhaeghe. Both winners will receive a physical award from Artit.

We believe in art as a tool for connection and self-expression, and we are committed to championing diversity and inclusivity in all its forms. We look forward to seeing your work.

*Cover Artwork by Walter Dermul: https://artit.net/artists/dermul 

✧ Publication in the "Portrait Artists of the Year 2026" Book
Finalists’ artworks will be featured in our open-access, non-commercial publication dedicated to exploring the diverse world of portraiture, which aims to showcase a wide array of perspectives, techniques, and approaches, bringing attention to both emerging and established artists. Being published in this book offers artists the opportunity to share their work with a global audience and be part of a collective celebration of portrait art.

✧ Promotion Across ARTIT’s Platform and Channels
Selected works will be highlighted on ARTIT’s online gallery, featured in curated posts on social media, and included in email campaigns to our network of curators, collectors, and art enthusiasts. This promotion ensures widespread visibility for your art, connecting you with potential collaborators, buyers, and advocates who are passionate about supporting creative talent.

Published artists will be eligible for the following titles, which celebrate excellence and innovation in portraiture:

• Artit's People's Choice Portrait Artist of the Year 2026

This award is determined by the ARTIT audience and goes to the artist whose work resonates most with the public. It’s an opportunity to engage with a wide community and have your art recognized for its impact and appeal.

• Artit's Jury Selection Portrait Artist of the Year 2026

✧ Sign Up and Create Your Profile
Register on the ARTIT platform and set up your artist portfolio. Include your name, social media profiles, and a concise artist bio. This helps introduce you to our global audience and provides insight into your artistic journey.

✧ Upload Your Artworks
Add your artworks to your portfolio, including clear descriptions for each piece. Be sure to specify the title, medium, and dimensions, and share what each artwork represents to you. We encourage you to showcase additional works to give our jury a fuller understanding of your artistic vision and style.

✧ Submit Your Work to the Call
Select the pieces that best reflect your artistic identity and align with the theme of the call. Ensure your submission captures your personal connection to the subject and resonates with the spirit of the call.

During the evaluation process, our jury will carefully review each submission for the Portrait Artists of the Year 2026 call for art, considering several key criteria. First and foremost, they will assess the artistic excellence and originality demonstrated in each portrait.

"We firmly believe that portraiture has the power to tell stories, evoke emotions, and offer profound insights into the human experience. We aim to recognize artworks that showcase exceptional artistic skill and a unique creative vision. In addition, the jury will evaluate the relevance of each submission to the theme of portraiture, focusing on how the artists bring their subjects to life. We encourage artists to present their distinct interpretations of portraiture, highlighting their personal connections and perspectives. Whether you capture the raw emotions of a candid moment, the intricacies of character and identity, or the symbolic essence of a subject, we celebrate diverse artistic expressions that push the boundaries of what portraiture can represent."

Our jury also values the multitude of narratives and cultural contexts that can be explored through portrait art. We seek works that invite viewers to reflect on the complexities of human identity, relationships, and experiences. Whether your portrait tells a deeply personal story, explores societal themes, or reimagines traditional approaches to portraiture, we welcome artworks that contribute to the broader conversation around representing the human form. Through this thorough evaluation process, we aim to curate a collection of portraits that resonate with viewers and honor the creativity and diversity of portrait artists worldwide. Join us in celebrating the rich and transformative power of portraiture to connect, inspire, and reveal the beauty of human expression.