Rules of participation

Rules of participation

In connection with the transition of the project to the triennial format, and in response to numerous requests from participants, in the new season it was decided to introduce a new system of project stages.

The first stage is accepting applications Attention! Acceptance of applications only at the first stage!(the number of works is not limited); selecting and announcing the list of the participants of the project; publication and presentation of selected works on the project’s online resources. Publication of e-certificates for all finalists. Announcement of the ten winners of the ONLINE format. All activities of the first stage are available in the "ONLINE" participation format

The second stage is the announcement of the list of finalists and nominees for prizes in various categories (nominees will be selected from among the participants in the second stage). Catalogue printing. Holding an international watercolour festival in Gdansk. Prize drawing among participants of the second stage. Demonstrations from master’s from all over the world, master classes, testing and draw materials and a large excursion and cultural program. All activities of the first and second stages are available in the "OFFLINE" participation format.

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To participate in the project:

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• Fill out the participant application form by clicking the button “Application form” below and upload at least 5 and no more than 7 photos of the step-by-step implementation of your original work. Where 1 photo is the starting fill or pencil drawing, and the last photo is the finished work with a signature.
• Attention!!! To participate in the competition, you must fill out all required fields in the “Application form”. All photos must meet the requirements! PHOTOS that do not meet the requirements of the rules will not be accepted for participation. Each artist will be able to send an unlimited number of applications during the selection period.
• REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETING THE APPLICATION

1. Watercolour artists over 18 years old can participate in the project.
2. Works made in watercolour at least 90% are accepted for participation.
3. Only the artist’s original works are accepted for participation; works performed on MK or under the guidance of a teacher or tutorial are not allowed to participate. Copying works of other authors is not allowed.
4. The topic of the work is free.
5. Size of work: unlimited, vertical, or horizontal orientation.
6. Photo format is jpg. Photo size from 4 to 6 MB, resolution – 300 DPI, minimum 2000 pixels on the short side. (Please make sure that your photo meets all project requirements before submitting your application)
7. The file name must be in the format: Name_Country_Work Title_Step Number_jpg. For example - Natali Sunny_Poland_Happy day_1step_jpg
8. Each photo should show only the work, without a frame, mat, tablet, and other auxiliary elements and foreign objects. The photo must be taken frontally, that is, without perspective distortion.
9.  All information must be written in English only; writing information in all capital letters is not allowed!
10. Works that have previously participated in previous seasons of the Step by Step project will not be accepted for participation.

Prize fund

For the “ONLINE” format - 10 prizes places – art materials

For the “OFFLINE” format

Project winners 

1st place - Cash prize plus a package of art materials from global manufacturers, award.

2nd place - Cash prize plus a package of art materials from global manufacturers, award.

3rd place - Cash prize plus a package of art materials from global manufacturers, award.

Prizes in the “Special Award” nomination - packages of art materials, diploma.

Prizes in the “Opening of the Season” nomination - a package of art materials, a diploma.

Prizes in the category “Honorable Mention” - art materials, special diploma.

Save the dates

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• Acceptance of applications for participation in all stages of the project (ONLINE, OFFLINE) - from January 1, 2024 to February 25, 2024
• Payment for participation in the ONLINE and OFFLINE format - from February 26 to March 14, 2024
• Announcement of the list of project finalists – March 15, 2024
• Announcement of the list of participants and nominees for the “OFFLINE” format - April 20, 2024
• Announcement of the winners of the Step by Step project in all categories - August 22, 2024 at the award ceremony as part of the Watercolour Festival in Gdańsk
• Watercolour Festival in Gdańsk for participants of the OFFLINE format - from August 22 to 25, 2024**
• Sending catalogues and prizes packages from September 1 to September 30, 2024*

Cost of participation

Submitting an application (unlimited number) – FREE

ATTENTION!!!

Dear participant, please choose your participation format. Please carefully read the full list of activities for each format. You need to choose one of them: “online” OR “offline” format.

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Participation in the format “ONLINE” - 25 euros

Included in the price:

•  receiving an e-certificate (on request, a printed certificate can be sent by mail*)
•  publication and presentation of the participants’ works on the project’s online resources
•  participation in the drawing of 10 prizes in the online stage*
•  the winners' works will be printed free of charge in the catalogue of the Step by Step project.

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Participation in the format “OFFLINE” - 70 euros 

Included in the price:

•  free participation in the format “ONLINE”
•  participation in the prize draw in all categories of the Step by Step project.
•  receiving a package of promotional products and a package of dot cards from the Step by Step project.
•  certificate of participation, awards, diplomas (in case of a prize), catalogue***.
•  participation in the award ceremony and banquet within the framework of the festival in Gdansk in the summer of 2024.**
•  sending the catalogue and a full package of promotional materials to the participant’s address*.
•  participation in the selection for printing in the second edition of the book “Watercolour Step by Step”

Book "Gold Edition"

After the fourth season of the Step by Step project, the book “Watercolour Step by Step” will be released.

One copy of the book "Watercolour Step by Step" - 320 pages, book format 33*24 cm, hardcover, super cover, high-quality digital printing, gold embossing, super packaging for each copy. The contents of the book are from 2 to 6 pages for each participant (including a creative biography, works with step-by-step descriptions, photos of the best works, palettes, contact information, etc.).

Additionally, the book will contain articles about the latest trends in watercolours, international organizations, projects, studios; review articles about popular art materials, articles from world-famous watercolour master’s and many useful articles).

The book will also include the best works of the fourth season of the Step by Step project.

Participation in this stage is only by personal invitation (participants in the “Step by Step” section will be selected from among the participants in the “OFFLINE” format).

Work on the book will begin in the fall of 2024. The book will be presented as part of the watercolour festival in the spring-summer of 2025. The festival program includes an exhibition of participants' works, a drawing of numerous prizes, watercolour demonstrations and master classes, presentations, and a large excursion program.

Details of the stage and exact dates of the events will be announced in the fall of 2024.

First edition example

For those wishing to publish an article in a book about their studio, project, organization, production of art materials, etc., please write to: [email protected]

Send all questions to email: [email protected]

“*” - Shipping is at the expense of the organizers and is included in the cost of participation. (in case the recipient does not receive the parcel (due to the fault of the recipient), or in case of an error in writing his address when filling out the application, re-shipment is at the participant’s expense)

“**” - Participation in the full festival program (demonstrations of skill, master classes from world-famous artists, testing of art materials, a drawing for festival participants, excursion program) for an additional payment (within the cost of activities). the number of places to participate in the program on August 22-25, 2024 is limited. The plein air program will be announced in April 2024. Participation by appointment by email: [email protected]

“***” - It is possible to participate in the “OFFLINE” format of the project without receiving a printed version of the catalogue and parcel. Upon request by email:  [email protected]

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The organizers of the project reserve the right to refuse participation to the artist, without explaining the reasons, with a full refund of the artist's funds.

The project organizers reserve the right to make changes to the project programs by notifying the participants in advance.

The project rules do not provide for the possibility of a refund for participation in the event of a participant’s (participant’s initiative) refusal to participate in the Step-by-Step project after April 30, 2024.

ATTENTION!

  The project is not a representative of any of the existing world watercolor communities, clubs, or organizations. The project is carried out with the aim of popularizing watercolor art and exchanging experiences between watercolor artists from all over the world. Step by Step is not a commercial project. All funds received from the project participants will be used EXCLUSIVELY to organize the current season of the project. All activities within the project are carried out on a voluntary volunteer basis. Without receiving material benefit or income.

The project is patented in the international copyright database and is private intellectual property.

License number: 89081 from: May 29, 2019

Julia Kochetova

[email protected]

© 2024 by Julia Kochetova.

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