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| Joshua LaRock |
The Grand Central Academy in New York City has recently announced the winners of the 2013 Figure Drawing Competition. First place went to Joshua LaRock, who earned the title "Apelles" - in honor of the 4th century BCE Greek artist - and a $10,000 cash prize. Second place, the title "Protogenes," and a $3,000 cash prize was awarded to Katie Whipple. Adrienne Stanger took Third place, and a $2,000 cash prize (there is yet no Greek artist's name associated with Third place).
The competition was open to all artists, both students and professionals. This year, 44 artists applied for entry to the competition, from which 10 finalists were chosen. Those artists were then given 40 hours - 8 hours per day for 5 days - to each draw from the same figure. At the end of the week, judges Jacob Collins, painter and director of The GCA; painter and instructor Travis Schlaht; and Perrin Stein, Curator of Drawings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; chose from the finished drawings the top three prize winners. The drawings were evaluated during two consecutive rounds based on a 5-point criterion which assessed proportion, natural gesture, an understanding of anatomy, consistent modeling/finish, and the correct observation of lighting effects. During the judging rounds, the names of the competitors were all kept anonymous.
This August, The GCA will host another competition, this one dedicated to the art of alla prima portrait painting. Each participant will be tasked with painting six portraits in three days, with their work being judged as a group. First place will take home $1,500, while Second receives $500. The deadline to apply is July 1st; there is no application fee.
For further details on the upcoming Portrait Sketch Painting Competition, or to see the drawings by the remaining seven finalists, please visit The Grand Central Academy's blog. To see the drawings from this year's Figure Drawing Competition in progress, please visit the GCA on Facebook.
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| Katie Whipple |
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| Adrienne Stanger |