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Plymouth
Illustration 
Awards 

2026 Shortlist Galleries

New Talent 
Shortlist GalleryStudent 
Shortlist GalleryGraduate 
Shortlist Gallery

2026 Award Winners

Emerging Talent Award 

For anyone over 16 and not yet studying a degree.

Winner:

Jing Zhou
blushwilder
Jing’s submission had a strong presence and lasting effect on each of the judges. 

The work has a wonderfully contemporary feel whilst suggesting nostalgia through the colour choices and subject matter. 

The judges loved the subtle storytelling present in Jing’s work with questions being asked about the narratives on first and seconds visits to the piece.

Student Award 
For anyone over 18 and currently studying a degree.

Winner:

Myrtle Lily
myrtle_lily_
illustration
Myrtle’s multi-page submission is ambitious, curious and confident. The work is accompanied by a written narrative but it was the soft painting techniques and warming lighting effects that got the judges speaking. 

A lovely mixture of landscape, people and place. This work feels deeply personal and explorative. The judges loved it!

Graduate Award 

For anyone who completed a degree in the last 3 years.

Winner:

Yulia Shchelkunova
yuliashchelkunova
Yulia’s work is a confident mark in the space of commercial illustration. 

Characters are bold and confident and the interesting perspectives present across the submission make for an interesting an at times humorous narrative.