Entries 2025 - The First Line

Rora - Sketch Competition Entries

An open sketchbook displaying artistic drawings lies on a textured dark surface, surrounded by assorted seashells.

#1 AR

I am a 14 year old who loves everything about living by the sea, swimming, snorkelling and sailing

Pencil drawing showing two tarot cards, The Empress and Death, surrounded by swirling green smoke.

#2 AR

I am a 14 year old who loves everything about living by the sea, swimming, snorkelling and sailing

A pencil drawing shows a bird with its wings spread, perched atop a wooden post.

#3 LB

Not polishing this and handing over a bare bones sketch feels like I am walking into a room naked. Mum of three. 20 year creative break. Not much time

A pencil and sharpener rest next to a sheet of paper displaying a sketch of a bird with wings spread.

#4 LB

Not polishing this and handing over a bare bones sketch feels like I am walking into a room naked. Mum of three. 20 year creative break. Not much time

A pen drawing shows a person lying in bed writing in a notebook, with a lamp and a cat next to them.

#5 VV

Poet, Artist and an advocate for the keeping of Notebooks”.
Attended Art Schools in Asturias, and London, but mainly self-taught and continuing…

An open notebook displays faint notes on the left page and vibrant, colorful sketches of two people on the right page.

#6 VV

Poet, Artist and an advocate for the keeping of Notebooks”.
Attended Art Schools in Asturias, and London, but mainly self-taught and continuing…

A black and white pen drawing shows a leafless tree with intricate branches displayed on a wooden surface.

#7 CC

I have been drawing and painting on and off for a long time. Painting and drawing was my passion. Websites took over. I still love to draw.

Pencil sketch showing a raised drawbridge over a canal, a fishing boat docked nearby, and buildings alongside the water.

#8 AC

I am 37 years old, I live in Yapton and I am a single parent to a four year old boy. In the last 18months I've started drawing again, I am self taught

A pencil sketch shows a rock climber with ropes and gear from behind, placed on a wooden desk surrounded by art supplies.

#9 PT
Missing Ro

I worked as a design draftsman. I started climbing with Roland in 2006 & started drawing climbers in 2013. Drawn from a photo taken by Patrick Manuel.

A pencil sketch shows a rock climber sitting on rocks with climbing ropes and gear, viewed from behind.

#10 PT
Ro at the Roaches

I worked as a design draftsman. I started climbing with Roland in 2006 & started drawing climbers in 2013. Drawn from a photo taken by Patrick Manuel.

A smiling goat is painted in watercolor on white paper, surrounded by a teal border with star and moon decorations.

#11 JM

I’m a 75 yr old artist, spent my working life as a youth tutor in schools in Surrey & Berkshire, finally retired and followed my passion as an artist

Black ink drawing shows three trees on a grassy hill with a winding path and loosely sketched clouds overhead.

#12 TN

I'm an old hippy elder of 70 years young! I did an art degree at 48 and moved down to bognor and stayed!! Love the beach so much, couldn't leave now!

A sketchbook lies open to pages with handwritten notes beside a watercolor painting of a grassy coastal path by the blue sea.

#13 JM

I love to paint & create every day, I went to Art College and now I’m creating a Visual Diary to share.

A sketchbook open to watercolor art and handwritten notes sits on a table, surrounded by paint tubes and brushes.

#14 JM

I love to paint & create everyday, I went to Art College and now I’m creating a Visual Diary to share.

Two hands gently hold each other in a pencil sketch, with a wristwatch visible on one of the wrists.

#15 MB

I retired to this area around 8 years ago. I enjoy art for fun but I am not very good at it, my movement disorder tends to interfere with it.

An open sketchbook displays a red pencil alongside rough sketches of masks, faces, and scattered handwritten notes.

#16 DE
Queen of the May

I'm an artist and art psychotherapist. I’ve made works in connection to William Blake and use found objects and London clay.

Two eyes drawn in pencil appear above cloud-like, sketchy shapes that cover the lower part of a face.

#17 RK

A student who just took GCSE Art. During GCSE Art, I somewhat lost my passion for drawing, but this is one of my first sketches since then!

A pencil sketch shows a person looking out a window, with handwritten text on the right describing feathers appearing and drifting down.

#18 JS

Graduate of fine art from Chi uni in 1999, bereaved in 2002 and now helping others to heal through the use of art and blue space - Saltwater Creations

A heart split by a door and a feather is sketched on one page, with a handwritten story on the opposite page in a spiral notebook.

#19 JS

Graduate of fine art from Chi uni in 1999, bereaved in 2002 and now helping others to heal through the use of art and blue space - Saltwater Creations

A pencil sketch shows a leopard lying down with its body relaxed, detailed spots visible, and its head turned to the left.

#20 RE

I'm a mum of two boys, aged 10yrs and 16yrs, I'm currently a dispenser for Boots Pharmacy and training to be a technician. I've always enjoyed drawing

A pencil sketch shows a jaguar walking forward through tall grass, viewed directly from the front.

#21 RE

I'm a mum of two boys, aged 10yrs and 16yrs, I'm currently a dispenser for Boots Pharmacy and training to be a technician. I've always enjoyed drawing

Four black-ink sketched hands display different gestures against a white background in a simple line drawing.

#22 JG

I'm a watercolour artist that loves to sketch and draw and likes my art to speak for me.

Charcoal drawing depicts swirling smoke and abstract figures, capturing dynamic movement and chaotic energy in the scene.

#23 MJ

I've been painting & drawing all my life, especially the sea. I'm also a psychotherapist.

Figures stand by brick structures with a curved gate, under a large sun, with mountains and trees in this charcoal drawing.

#24 MJ

I've been painting & drawing all my life, especially the sea. I'm also a psychotherapist.

The Mad Hatter sits at a tea table in a black and white drawing, gesturing with surprise, with several tea cups before him.

#25 DS

I'm 16 years old and I’m going to college to study fine art and design since it’s always been my passion.. i love to do art in my free time!

Alice sits at a mad tea party with the March Hare and the Mad Hatter in a black-and-white sketch.

#26 DS

Im 16 years old and I’m going to college to study fine art and design since it’s always been my passion.. i love to do art in my free time!

A pencil sketch of an iguana’s head appears on white paper next to a pen and eraser resting on a wooden desk.

#27 SH

I’ve loved art since I was young and haven’t stopped drawing since.

Pencil sketch showing a short-haired character with an intense expression and the roman numeral VI tattooed on their face.

#28 BH

I’m 15 years old, I am a triplet. I like to draw fan art of my favourite series. I also like painting in watercolour.

A charcoal drawing shows a fantasy creature with antlers, a long tail, and fur standing in a forest.

#29 DN

I am 13 years old and love filling my sketch books with all sorts of drawings. I especially like drawing heads and animals.

A pencil sketch depicts a tabby cat glancing over its shoulder in a notebook labeled with the date 25th July.

#30 HJ

I started drawing in my 50s and have drawn portraits of all my friends on Facebook, all the bishops in my church, and lots of cats and dogs!

A pen sketch on paper shows a church steeple and trees beside a black ink pen.

#31 HJ

I started drawing in my 50s and have drawn portraits of all my friends on Facebook, all the bishops in my church, and lots of cats and dogs!

A partially finished realistic pencil drawing of a man's face is surrounded by various pencils and art supplies.

#32 JS

I am a 17 year old college student taking A-Level fine art.
Self taught artist and love the freedom of a pencil on paper.

A sketchbook page features a realistic drawing of a hand holding string, surrounded by pencils and charcoal sticks.

#33 JS

I am a 17 year old college student taking A-Level fine art.
Self taught artist and love the freedom of a pencil on paper.

A person is shown crouching with hands placed on the ground, leaning forward and looking straight ahead.

#34 HJ

I love my pencils and draw daily. At 65, self taught with 4 yrs practice behind me, art is a voyage of discovery, venturing into places unknown.

A pencil sketch depicts a nude figure kneeling with head bowed and arms extended forward, resting on the floor.

#35 HJ

I love my pencils and draw daily. At 65, self taught with 4 yrs practice behind me, art is a voyage of discovery, venturing into places unknown.

A pencil sketch shows an angel beside a gothic door, surrounded by gravestones and a rose, with handwritten poetry nearby.

#36 E-J L

I am a parent carer of two boys, an artist, poet, and a fan of William Blake, as well as an advocate for families with disabled children.

A set of colored pencils and loose pencils next to a hand-drawn gate, an angel illustration, and a handwritten poem on paper.

#37 E-J L

I am a parent carer of two boys, an artist, poet, and a fan of William Blake, as well as an advocate for families with disabled children.

A red lobster is depicted in a watercolor painting with loose, abstract brushstrokes on a plain white background.

# 38 MC

It took 5 minutes to paint as a house warming present. 1 hour before arrival.

A tree is sketched in pencil on white paper, with various art supplies spread out around it on a cluttered desk.

# 39 DT

I’m an artist and gardener, living in Bognor Regis, greatly influenced by my love of nature.

A sketchpad displays a pencil drawing of a tree, surrounded by pencils and erasers scattered on a messy table.

# 40 DT

I’m an artist and gardener, living in Bognor Regis, greatly influenced by my love of nature.

A pencil sketch depicts an hourglass, a human skull, a skeleton hand, and text from William Blake’s poem about eternity.

# 41 EN

I am retired and 80 next year. I paint, draw and write whenever I can. I live in NE of England.

Dynamic abstract pencil sketch featuring swirling lines, organic shapes, and textured shading throughout the composition.

#42 RG

I'm a poet, performer, writer and playwright. I'm also a facilitator of I'm a mother and grandmother, I love sketching.

An abstract drawing in pencil and charcoal features swirling organic shapes and textured patterns filling the entire composition.

# 43 RG

I'm a poet, performer, writer and playwright. I'm also a facilitator of I'm a mother and grandmother, I love sketching.

Bare tree branches drawn in pencil are shown with a pale yellow sun softly glowing in the background.

#44 LM

Having discovered my neurodivergence in adulthood, I embrace the different perspective this brings. Nature delivers peace, intrigue and inspiration.

A sketchbook featuring a tree drawing and two green leaves lies on top of yellow-green foliage.

#45 LM

Having discovered my neurodivergence in adulthood, I embrace the different perspective this brings. Nature delivers peace, intrigue and inspiration.

Hand-drawn Valentine's card featuring mythical creatures and the handwritten message All ma heart love Steve x.

# 46 SM

I’m a Blakean poet and punk. My drawing, done for Helen this Valentine’s Day, based on Blake’s Fountain of Life, is about Heavenly Light

A pencil sketch shows a person wearing glasses and a scarf, with handwritten notes visible along the right side of the page.

#47 HE

I’m an artist and lover of William Blake. When I draw Steve he always reads. My tutor in Art School said - “A day without drawing is a day wasted.”

A pencil sketch shows a vase holding flowers with detailed blooms and leaves, drawn on plain paper.

#48 NF

I'm a creative writer and lecturer, and find drawing relaxing. I don't do it nearly enough, so thank you for this invitation to see the world anew.

Entries 2025 - The First Line

Rora - Sketch Competition Entries

#1 AR

#2 AR

#3 LB

#4 LB

#5 VV

#6 VV

#7 CC

#8 AC

#9 PT Missing Ro

#10 PT Ro at the Roaches

#11 JM

#12 TN

#13 JM

#14 JM

#15 MB

#16 DE Queen of the May

#17 RK

#18 JS

#19 JS

#20 RE

#21 RE

#22 JG

#23 MJ

#24 MJ

#25 DS

#26 DS

#27 SH

#28 BH

#29 DN

#30 HJ

#31 HJ

#32 JS

#33 JS

#34 HJ

#35 HJ

#36 E-J L

#37 E-J L

# 38 MC

# 39 DT

# 40 DT

# 41 EN

#42 RG

# 43 RG

#44 LM

#45 LM

# 46 SM

#47 HE

#48 NF

The 1st Line – Student Prize

#9 PT
Missing Ro

#10 PT
Ro at the Roaches

#16 DE
Queen of the May