Calling all artists in Southend, the very first Southend Portrait Artist competition is open for registration.

The competition will see artists create work in real time along the seafront at Twenty One this summer.

The winner will receive £250 prize money, a trophy, art vouchers and a week long residency at Metal.

It has been organised by Andy Downes, who runs the Little Known Studio in Grainger Road, who has devised the competition to unveil the cream of the crop of artists in the area.

The closing date for entries is March 31 and it will run over four heats with the final taking place in the summer.

“I’m running a portrait artist competition for anyone currently living in the SS postal district,” said Andy.

“If it is a success, like I hope it will be, then I will look to make it a yearly event. It is a positive thing and I am looking forward to seeing the artwork that is produced.”

Andy has brought together Metal, Focal Point and The Leigh Art Trail for the competition.

The artist’s own work is bold and textural, using energetic marks to create visually striking pieces.

His catalogue of work focuses mainly on portraiture and figurative subjects. His paintings have been shown in exhibitions across Essex and London, his originals and prints collected across Europe.

Andy used to run The little known Studio in Leigh and moved to Grainger Road more than two years ago. It is a space for art life drawing classes, gallery shows and more.

You can find more on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok by searching “Andydownesart”.

The competition is in conjunction with Twenty One, The Leigh Art Trail, Lawrence Matthews, Engraving Services and The Little Known Studio.

For full details on the competition and how to enter visit www.andydownesart.co.uk/portrait-southend-competition.