Adult Winner – Catriona Fraser

“I really like this beautiful painting of a hare. It has so much atmosphere and a tangible character! On a practical level it has been carefully rendered, it’s very precise but also doesn’t feel like a photograph. You can sense the hare sniffing the grasses or peeking its head through them. There’s also the considered colour scheme and close attention to the variety of different grasses. Lovely, a real jewel of a painting!” - Adult category judge, Artist Wil Freeborn

Student Winner – Alyssa Saha

"I think the painting perfectly captures a moment in time. Aylssa has chosen is a really strong image which shows a lot of emotion which I found drew me into the piece. I think she has done a great job of conveying emotion in the painting and at the same time use a colour palette which makes the piece feel quite delicate. Aylssa's portrait demonstrates she has great technical ability and it would be great to follow her journey as she evolves as an artist." - Student category judge, Artist Laurence White

Junior Winner – Yasmin Penney

“Yasmin’s drawing blew me away as it is so delicate and sensitive just like a bunny. The pencil strokes mimic the changing hair direction and length beautifully. Yasmin’s care and observation truly captures both the soft light of the fur and the beady black eyes, it rivals a Beatrix Potter! Yasmin you are an phenomenal artist, keep up the great work.” - Junior category judge, Artist Abby Hobbs

Adult Runner-Up – Fozia Shafique

“I really like urban street scenes and this painting worked for me. There’s a slight whimsical feel to it from the cute bicycle temporarily parked with its basket full of flowers to the faded pink brick wall and iron balconies it could be from a Wes Anderson movie. Its painted accurately with maybe a touch of naivety (in good way) as if it was an illustration from a story book.” - Adult category judge, Artist Wil Freeborn

Student Runner-Up - Autumn Clements

“I love the use of her vibrant colour palette - it creates a very striking image. I also really like the piece for the composition (filling the whole canvas) as well as technically being such a great piece for someone of such a young age. It would be interesting to see her transfer her skills onto a much larger canvas too.” - Student category judge, Artist Laurence White

Junior Runner-Up – Lilly-Mai Bell

“Lilly’s masterful painting expresses feeling through the composition and contrast. I really loved hearing that Lilly’s imagination took over once the painting was underway and the expressive brushwork on the tree branches light up by the moonlight is really effective. The smooth gradient of the sky contrasted with the texture of the full moon is brilliant. Lilly has created a piece here that is both comforting and lonely, peaceful and ominous; The more you look the more you feel about it, and that is exactly what a great painting should do. Congratulations Lilly, keep painting and listening to your imagination!” - Junior category judge, Artist Abby Hobbs

Student Entry – Maisy Dainty

“I love how Maisy has captured the light and the beauty of nature in this piece. The stag looks incredible and has so much detail, I really feel like I'm in there the forest with it.” - Connor Maynard, Hobbycraft Artisan, artist and Artisan Choice judge

“The piece is beautifully stylised realism with a complimentary background that both highlights the subject and shows a habitat behind. The textures within the piece show amazing technique and an artists own personal style.” - Chloe Cooper, Hobbycraft Artisan, artist and Artisan Choice judge