41st International Illustration Contest

Painted by Maria Dimova

Draw an original illustration of your favorite season! Show us a favorite seasonal activity or memory.

The winner of the Grand Prize will receive US$2,000. Prizes also include Clip Studio Paint activation codes that will be chosen through lottery!
Feel free to enter via X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or Facebook.

Submission Guidelines
Please submit original illustrations on the theme of Seasons.
Entry Period
September 17 - October 9, 2024, 23:59 UTC Note: The entry period is now over.
Winner Announcements
November 6, 2024 (tentative)

Prizes

Grand Prize

US$2,000 cash prize

  • Clip Studio Paint EX Activation Code (Dual-device plan, 3 years) or 10,000 GOLD
  • Social media profile picture frame (image file)
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Clip Studio Paint EXDual-device plan 3 years

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2nd Place

US$500 cash prize

  • Clip Studio Paint EX Activation Code (Dual-device plan, 3 years) or 10,000 GOLD
  • Social media profile picture frame (image file)
Picture of prize Picture of prize
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Clip Studio Paint EXDual-device plan 3 years

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3rd - 5th Place

US$200 cash prize

  • Clip Studio Paint EX activation code (Dual-device plan, 1 year) or 5,000 GOLD
  • Social media profile picture frame (image file)
Picture of prize Picture of prize
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Clip Studio Paint EXDual-device plan 1 years

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6th - 10th Place

US$100 cash prize

  • Clip Studio Paint PRO Activation Code (Dual-device plan, 1 year) or 3,000 GOLD
  • Social media profile picture frame (image file)
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Clip Studio Paint PRODual-device plan 1 years

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Honorable Mentions (5 winners)

  • Clip Studio Paint PRO Activation Code (Dual-device plan, 1 year) or 3,000 GOLD
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Clip Studio Paint PRODual-device plan 1 years

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Challenger Award (5 randomly selected winners)

We will select the winners from everyone who submits their original illustrations
  • Clip Studio Paint PRO Activation Code (Dual-device plan, 1 year) or 3,000 GOLD
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Clip Studio Paint PRODual-device plan 1 years

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Newcomer Prize (1 randomly selected winner)

The winner will be chosen from a pool of artists new to this contest. How to Enter
  • Clip Studio Tabmate 2
  • Wacom Drawing Glove
Note: If you are in a region where we cannot send you the Tabmate 2 we will send you either a Clip Studio Paint EX Activation Code (Dual-device plan, 1 year) or 5,000 GOLD
CLIP STUDIO TABMATE2 Wacom Drawing Glove

Timelapse Prize (5 randomly selected winners)

We will select the winners from everyone who submits their timelapses
  • Clip Studio Paint PRO Activation Code (Dual-device plan, 1 year) or 3,000 GOLD
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Clip Studio Paint PRODual-device plan 1 years

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How to Apply

Enter your original illustration based on the contest theme via X, Instagram, or Facebook.

Note: The entry period is now over.

The following entries will not be accepted:
・Entries that are fanart, depict real people or existing characters, products, or brands.
・Illustrations that were traced or copied from illustrations, photos, videos, etc. that were not created by the contestant.
・Illustrations created exclusively through the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Apply through X (formerly Twitter)

Post your work with the hashtag #cspcontest41 to enter!

Example of X entry
  • Please enter with your own account.
  • Image file formats: PNG, JPEG
  • If possible, please let us know what app(s) you used to create your entry when you post. Your choice of app will not affect the contest verdict.
  • Winners will be contacted by X direct message, so please make sure you are following the official Clip Studio Paint account (@clipstudiopaint) and that your account settings allow you to be contacted by us.

Apply through Instagram

Post your work with the hashtag #cspcontest41 to enter!

Example of Instagram entry
  • Please enter with your own account.
  • Image file formats: PNG, JPEG
  • If possible, please let us know what app(s) you used to create your entry when you post. Your choice of app will not affect the contest verdict.
  • Winners will be contacted by Instagram direct message, so please make sure you are following the official Clip Studio Paint account (@clipstudioofficial) and that your account settings allow you to be contacted by us.

Apply through Facebook

Follow the Clip Studio Paint official page (@celsys.clipstudiopaint) and post your entry with the hashtag #cspcontest41 to the dedicated contest Facebook group!

1. Join the Contest Facebook group

Contest Facebook group
Example of Facebook entry

2. Post your work using the hashtag #cspcontest41 to enter.

  • Submissions posted via post outside of the group are not eligible.
  • Image file formats: PNG, JPEG
  • If possible, please let us know what app(s) you used to create your entry when you post. Your choice of app will not affect the contest verdict.
Example of Facebook entry

3. Share your posted piece to your timeline to complete your entry. Please make sure all posts are set to be accessible to the public or friends.

Example of Facebook entry Example of Facebook entry Example of Facebook entry

Enter to win the Timelapse Prize (picked at random)!

Note: The entry period is now over.

If you submit your entry with a timelapse video of your creative process, you will be entered in the prize draw where 5 lucky winners will be picked at random to win a Clip Studio Paint PRO Activation Code (Dual-device plan, 1 year) or 3,000 GOLD!
Easily capture your drawing process with Clip Studio Paint's Timelapse feature and share your work on social media!

How to create a Timelapse

How to Apply

Post your Timelapse videos with the two hashtags #cspcontest41 and #cspcontest41_timelapse.

  • Enter via X, Instagram, or Facebook.
  • Make sure you include the hashtag in the text caption for your video post.
  • If possible, please let us know what app(s) you used to create your entry when you post. Your choice of app will not affect the selection process.
  • Video format: mp4, mov Length: around 1 minute
  • Any format that can be posted on social media will be accepted.

Newcomers might get a special prize to help them continue drawing more comfortably

Note: The entry period is now over.

Please tag your entry with #cspcontest41_newcomer and #cspcontest41. Then post it to X, Instagram or the Facebook group.

One lucky winner will get a Clip Studio Tabmate 2 handheld shortcut device and a Wacom Drawing Glove!

Note: If you are in a region where we cannot send you the Tabmate 2 we will send you either a Clip Studio Paint EX Activation Code (Dual-device plan, 1 year) or 5,000 GOLD

CLIP STUDIO TABMATE2 Wacom Drawing Glove

Clip Studio Paint is very useful when creating artwork!

Loved by professionals, Clip Studio Paint has loads of useful functions.
In fact, there are many features that we recommend for those who are just starting out with drawing or are new to digital drawing! Get up to three months free on computers and tablets, and use it for free for up to 30 hours every month on a smartphone.

You can start right away with a single smartphone.

There are two user interface modes in Clip Studio Paint: Simple Mode and Studio Mode.

It is now easier to draw on the small screen of a smartphone! You can easily start drawing digitally without expensive equipment.

See details here

Level up your illustrations with plenty of materials.

Over 150,000 downloadable materials and brushes are available with Clip Studio Paint. Incorporate things that are difficult to draw in your illustration!

See more materials here

Coloring can be so much fun and convenient

Enjoy detailed work with convenient Fill features such as filling areas even if they have gaps.

See details here

Automatically add shading!

Showing the automatic shading helper, Shading Assist

A must-see feature for those who hesitate to add shadows. Move the position of the light and add shadows with ease.

See details here
The painting app used by professionals

The painting app used by professionals

CLIP STUDIO PAINT
Ver.3

Windows / macOS / iPad / iPhone / Galaxy / Android / Chromebook

Submission Rules

  • Contestants must post their entries using their own accounts on X or Instagram with the #cspcontest41 hashtag during the submission period. If entering via Facebook, contestants must join and post their entries to the group below. For entering the Timelapse Prize, please post with both #cspcontest41_timelapse and #cspcontest41 hashtags.
    For any entry, please make sure your post is visible to the public.
    Contest Facebook group
  • We cannot accept entries by X, Instagram, Facebook message.
  • Entries posted with the wrong hashtag(s) will not be accepted for the contest.
  • Entries will be judged on quality, thematic relevance, and originality. Although not a deciding factor, retweets and likes of entries will also be taken into consideration during the judging process.
  • Only original artworks for which the contestant owns the copyright will be accepted for the contest.
  • We are unable to respond to inquiries regarding selection results, selection criteria, etc. for individual works.
  • Submissions may be created with any software

    Note: If you don’t own any digital software, you can try creating your submission with the free trial of Clip Studio Paint.
    CLIP STUDIO PAINT

    Clip Studio Paint Free Trial
    Windows/macOS:
    3-month free license

    Download here

    You can also download and use the mobile version here.

  • Illustration file format: PNG, JPEG
    Timelapse video format: mp4, mov Length: around 1 minute
  • You can submit illustrations of any size, but we recommend A4 size entries at 300 dpi (2480 x 3508 pixels). You can also submit smartphone-size images of 854 x 480 pixels.
  • With the exception of the Grand Prize, prize winnings will be transferred via Paypal. We request that prize winners provide us with their address as well as their PayPal account’s email address.
    Note: The winner of the Grand Prize and other winners who cannot accept transfers via Paypal will have their winnings transferred by bank transfer. In this case, we will need your bank account details, full name, address, and phone number.
  • Winners are responsible for any fees incurred when withdrawing their winnings from their bank or PayPal account.
  • Prize winners will retain copyright of their submissions, but the submissions may be displayed in Clip Studio Paint and on websites and services managed by Celsys for promotional purposes.
  • You can submit works you have already made public if they match the theme.
  • Please do not submit works that you have submitted to other contests at the same time. You may submit them to other contests once the results have been announced.
  • A single contestant may submit multiple entries.
  • Social media "Likes" will be taken into consideration for the decision, but are not the ultimate deciding factor.
  • If an entry does not meet all of the following conditions, does not match the contest theme, or if Celsys otherwise judges it inappropriate, will not be considered. Applicants who do not meet the following conditions will not be individually notified.
    When applying to enter the contest, please keep in mind that your entry will be viewed by a diverse set of people of different nationalities, cultures, and ages.
    • Entries must not discriminate against mental or economical disadvantages, and must not include defamatory elements or profanity.
    • Works must not violate individual privacy.
    • The entry must not depict nudity or sexual content.
    • Entries must not depict child prostitution, pornography, or abuse.
    • Entries that disrespect anyone's freedom of religion, politics, belief, occupation, sex, etc.
    • Entries that are in breach of the law, public order, or morality.
    • Entries that are fanart, or depict real people, or existing characters, products, or brands.
    • Entries that include any tracing or copying from illustrations, photos, videos, etc. that were not created by the contestant.
    • Illustrations created exclusively through the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence)
    • Entries that contain socially offensive content.
    • Entries must fit the contest purpose.

Disclaimer

  • The submission period and date of result announcement may be subject to change without notice.
  • Prizes and awards may be withdrawn even after the winners are announced if it is found that a contestant has violated any of the contest rules. If withdrawn, any prize money or rewards will be returned by the recipient. Usage of the social media profile picture frame will also be forbidden.
  • Celsys will contact you in English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese (traditional), or Korean.
  • Please comment kindly on other people’s submissions. Inappropriate comments will be removed.
  • Contest winners will be contacted after the results are announced via direct message on X/Instagram, or as a comment on their Facebook post. If we do not receive a response within two weeks, we will assume that you have declined the award and prize.

All personal information sent with your submission will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
CELSYS Privacy Policy (English) Operated by CELSYS, Inc. This contest is operated by Celsys, Inc. It is not supported by, operated by, or affiliated with X, Instagram, or Facebook.