Mammal Illustrator of the Year 2026

Welcome to Mammal Illustrator of the Year 2026!

This year, we are accepting entries to two categories: Mammal Portraits and Behaviour; and Mammal Artivism (art that raises awareness or inspires action).

For both categories, we will select a winner, as well as extra 'Highly Commended' photographs. We will also choose an overall winner for the competition as a whole, taken from the winners of both categories.

We are taking submissions for Mammal Illustrator of the Year 2026 from November 1st 2025 until January 31st 2026. Please carefully read the below rules, ethical guidelines, and terms and conditions before submitting illustrations.

Rules:

• You can enter up to 5 photographs or scans of individual artworks, each up to 10MB in JPEG format. These should be in the highest quality possible.
• Your art must be in a 2D visual format. This cannot include sculpture, clay, resin, or other 3D works. This can include: pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, chalk, watercolour, oils, acrylic, gouache, 2D collage, mixed media, printmaking, screenprinting, digital art, pixel art, street art/murals, and more.
• You must either be 18+ to enter this competition yourself, or if under 18, get a responsible adult to submit your piece for you.
• At least one wild mammal from the British Isles must be depicted within any artwork submitted.
• Use of AI in any part of any artwork is not allowed.
• Tracing, copying, or submitting other artwork that you are not the original owner of is not allowed. You must be the sole author and owner of the copyright of all artwork entered. The Mammal Society does not accept any liability for the publication of unlawfully reproduced images. 

Terms and Conditions:

• All artwork must be your own original work. You must be the sole author and owner of the copyright of all artwork entered. The Mammal Society does not accept any liability for the publication of unlawfully reproduced artwork. 
• We reserve the right not to accept entries where the judges have concerns that the artwork used AI, was not the original work of the owner, or otherwise broke the rules.
• By entering your artwork, you agree to grant the Mammal Society the non-exclusive right to publish, feature, reproduce and use it for any purpose related to the competition, such as website blogs, press releases, social media announcements, and exhibitions.
• Prizes are as stated; no alternative can be offered. Reasonable efforts will be made to contact winners. Prizes unclaimed within a reasonable time frame will be reallocated. The judges’ decision is final. The competition may be modified or withdrawn at any time. 
• In the event of a prize being withdrawn, an alternative prize of equal value will be offered.