Have you heard about the #MerMay challenge? Find out more about this drawing challenge and join the fun!
What exactly is the #MerMay challenge?
MerMay is an art challenge that happens in May, where artists from all around the world draw mermaids. The name “MerMay” is a combination of two words – Mermaid, and May.
It starts at the beginning of May and lasts till the end of the month – the challenge is to draw a mermaid every day during this time.
Of course, not everyone has time for drawing every day, so you can join the challenge by drawing at least one mermaid! Remember to post the drawing on your social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) and add hashtags #MerMay #Mermay2023
On the official Mermay.com site, you can find a list of prompts for each day. It’s not mandatory to stick to the list, you can use them just as inspiration.
Mermay 2023 Contest
If you participate in Mermay this year, you can win some prizes:
– @xencelabs Pen Display 24 graphic tablet
– 1-year subscription to @schoolismlive
– 2023 @lightboxexpo weekend passes
– and a PAID opportunity to design your own 12-page coloring book for @lakecoloring (illustration category only).
*And for animators, you have a chance to win a @toonboomanimation Harmony 22 Premium one-year license and Storyboard Pro 22 one-year license, as well as have your animation shared on the @pencilishstudios YouTube channel with full credit to you!
- There are TWO CATEGORIES: Illustration and Animation.
- To participate, create artwork or animation (1 minute or less) of a mermaid and post it on Instagram and/or Tik Tok with the hashtags: #DrawMerMay2023 or #AnimareMarMay2023.
- you must be at least 18 years old to participate
You MUST post ORIGINAL artwork – NO AI, and none of the art can be reused or based on others’ artwork), but the artwork does not have to be based on the official Mermay prompt list.
For more details, visit the official website: www.mermay.com/contest
MeyMay prompt list 2023:
If you don’t want to participate in the contest, you don’t have to stick to it – in this case you can create your own, individual list or use an alternative list created by another artist.
Who started Mermay?
Mermay was created by Tom Bancroft, an artist and Disney animator – best known for his creation of Mulan character – the dragon Mushu. He worked on such projects as Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Mulan, Brother Bear, and more.
You can check out this website, he also has accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, so if you are interested in his artworks, you should definitely follow him!
Also, Tom – together with his brother Tony Bancroft, runs The Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast, which focuses on the animation industry, you can listen there to interviews with many talented artists.
Previous Mermay Prompt Lists:
Other Mermay prompt lists:
#MerMay challenge artworks
I’ve seen many great artworks while browsing through #mermay on Instagram and decided to share them here. Please visit the artists’ pages!
Do you also participate in the challenge? Share your artwork in the comments!