There are so many things to love about creating a beautiful piece of artwork, and it is for that reason that there are many different types of people who paint as a hobby or even do it professionally. Some of the many great benefits about this craft is that it is known to reduce the amount of stress in a person's life, and it also improves things like handwriting and coordination by improving their fine motor skills. Whether just painting for the fun of it or trying to make a career out of it, entering into a painting art competition is something many people enjoy doing.

For artists who are just starting out, it can be incredibly difficult to find a way to hone their skills. Finding a place to exhibit beginner-level artwork is challenging enough in itself, and then there is the terrifying prospect of allowing people to see your work and inviting them to share their opinions on it. When there are trained and professional judges there to analyze and provide constructive criticism, this aspect can be made much less scary.

One of the cardinal mistakes that many artists make when entering into these competitions, especially those who have never done this sort of thing before, is to submit a piece that does not stand out from the rest. An applicant must keep in mind that the judges who decide which piece wins first prize are looking at hundreds or even thousands of other pieces. This is why the winning paintings have something that differentiates them from the sea of entries.

It is a good idea to figure out one's own specialty or favorite style as a painter before entering into a contest. It is often quite easy to find competitions that are focused on a particular type of artwork, which is a good way for an artist to be judged on their best work. Other artists are amazingly talented and can work in any style that inspires them.

It is hard to have access to very many contests when one is only looking at what is happening in their hometown. For those who don't live in big cities, these events can be hard to come by. There are plenty of networks online that help people find contests all around the world.

One of the things that can be learned by looking into a contest's details is if there is any money that is awarded to the winners. Some painters are specifically looking for these types of events where they can get paid for being chosen as the best. In order to pay for these cash prizes, these types of events often require an entry fee.

There are all kinds of ways that paintings can be damaged in the process of being entered into these kinds of competitions. When artwork has to be sent in the mail, there is always the risk that it can be defaced in some way, as well as during the time that the piece is exhibited in the contest. That is why it is always a good idea to see how much money it would cost to get insurance for a piece, just to see if it might be worth it to put the artist's mind at ease.

A great way to get primed and ready for a competition is to speak with those who have won contests in the past. These are the people who know exactly what judges want to see. They can often be found online with a quick search.