ART BATTLE ARTIST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND COMPETITION RULES
Art Battle is a time limited live art competition. Artists create works on canvas and audience vote determines winners and progression through the global tournament. You can read more about the Art Battle Story and tournament here.
Artists must register and apply to compete. Competitors are chosen by Art Battle for each competition. Most events are open for all artists to apply, some are strictly invitation only.
This page answers lots of questions! Please read carefully for information on: rules, auction, artist payments, guests, Art Battle Apps, voting, allowed materials, how to apply, canvas size, paint, timing, winners, tournament structure and more. If you still have questions after you have read this whole page, please email artists@artbatte.com
Event Format
12 artists are split into two 20 minute qualifying rounds. The top 2 painters from each round as determined by audience vote will paint a second time in the 3rd / “Final Round” with a new canvas.
Art Battle Open Materials Rules
- Artists have 20 minutes to create their competition artwork (30 minutes in some championship rounds)
- Artists must use the blank canvas provided at the competition as the surface for their artwork
- The artwork must be placed on the easel as provided at the conclusion of the round
- Artists are encouraged to bring their own mediums and tools. A limited set of acrylic paint is provided by local Art Battle producers. Artists are encouraged (but not required) to bring outside medium — Allowed mediums include: acrylic paint, ink, oil paint, charcoal, pen, pencil, watercolor, and more. Water based* *aerosol, airbrush, oils with solvent are permitted only at some venues, but restricted at others – audience safety and comfort is the main consideration in materials being allowed or not
- The use of reference images are permitted, but not required. Any reference images must be printed or prepared on paper
- Pre-made images (collage), including stencils, are not permitted. Creation of stencils ‘at the easel’ and during competition time is permitted
- The local/global audience votes for the best artwork in each round, and the winner(s) advance to further rounds/events
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SELECTION PROCESS
How are artists selected to paint in Art Battle?
Artists submit their work and apply online at artbattle.com/register and are selected based on competition space availability and quality of submission. Use this link to apply and share with your artist friends!
How will I know if I am selected to paint?
If you are selected, you will receive an official invitation by email from your local Art Battle. You must complete the confirmation form in your official invitation to participate. This email will contain all of the information needed for your event including contact information for your local Art Battle producer.
Is there a fee to participate?
No, there is never a fee for Artists to participate in Art Battle.
SUPPLIED MATERIALS AND WHAT TO BRING
What is provided and what should I bring?
Selected Artists should bring their brushes and any other tools they would like to use. In the Open Materials rules, artists are also encouraged to bring their own mediums and printed reference images from home.
Art Battle will provide canvas, basic selection of acrylic paint, easels, water containers, palettes, and mixing plates.
How big is the canvas?
18×24 or larger in Rounds 1 and 2, 20×24 or larger in the Final Round. Any significant change in canvas size will be noted prior to the event by your local organizer.
What acrylic colors will Art Battle provide?
- Titanium White
- Black
- Primary Yellow
- Primary Red
- Primary Cyan
- Burnt Umber
- Burnt Sienna
*This is the base list of paint that will be available, additional colors may be available at the event, all paint is medium to heavy body acrylic.
For permitted materials, please refer to the rules above. If the rules above do not clarify, please feel free to email artists@artbattle.com with any questions.
AT THE EVENT
When should I arrive?
Artists should arrive at the “artist call time” listed in your artist invitation. Typically this is 30 minutes before the doors open to the public.
Is Art Battle All Ages?
This can differ from event to event (usually based on venue restrictions), please contact your local organizer if you are unsure.
Do I have to pay to get in, and can I bring a guest?
Artist entry into the event is free, and in most cases selected Artists may bring 1 free guest unless otherwise noted by the event organizer.
Once I get to the event what can I expect?
You will check in with your local organizer, and they will go over with you what round you will be painting in, competition rules and how you can expect the night to unfold.
How should I prepare to paint at the event?
If you are in round number 1, you will prepare your palette 10-20 minutes before the timer begins. If you are in round 2, you will prepare your palette while the first round artists are painting. If you are voted into the final round, you should prepare your palette as soon as your name is announced. Your easel and canvas for all rounds will be set up for you already.
How many paintings in total will I have to paint at the event?
Participating artists are guaranteed to create one painting, and will create a second painting if voted into the Final Round.
Will you announce times and winners during the round?
Yes, timing will be announced every few minutes by our MC to alert audiences and artists of remaining painting time. Winners will be announced once the votes have been counted.
VOTING AND AUCTION
Auction and Voting
Audiences can vote, bid and follow their favorite artists at the event they are attending as well as other events all over the world using the Art Battle App – Search “Art Battle” in the app store or on google play to download. Be sure to download the app before your event so you can vote too!
Works created at Art Battle will be silent auctioned with 50% of the proceeds going to the artists. Your local organizer will let you know the expected timeline and method of payment at the event. Works that are unsold at the event remain the property of Art Battle to be made available for future sale with the same sales agreement of 50% to the artist.
*In some cases where an Artist is invited to paint in a special or private event these details may differ, this will be made clear by the local organizer at the time of booking.
EVENT WINNERS
Event winning artists move on to higher (regional, city or state, then national, international) levels of competition depending on location. Art Battle will contact you with further details, congratulations!
*All rules and details provided on this page are subject to change at the discretion of Art Battle. Significant predetermined changes or differences will be noted to the artist at the time of booking.
Are you interested in, or know someone who is interested in hosting an Art Battle?
Check out our local partner application here: https://artbattle.com/organize/
More questions?
Email our Artist Team at artists@artbattle.com