We received almost 100 fantastic responses to our challenge to draw a portrait of Bumpman, a character who appears in several sculptures in our current exhibition Paloma Varga Weisz: Bumped Body. Some entries also included creative writing, responding to our extension activity to write a story or a poem exploring who you think Bumpman is.

We were excited to receive so many brilliant pieces of artwork, many of which explore and express themes of isolation, loneliness, patience and reflection that are so relevant to many of us during the current lockdown.

When we were looking through all the wonderful entries with Paloma, we decided that as the standard of drawing was so high, we will display all the Bumpman portraits entered in this competition in a digital exhibition in our reception area when we reopen.

Although entry to the competition has now closed, you can still use our drawing and teaching resources to take on your own #BumpmanPortrait challenge:

Under 10s

Winners: Ewan Foord, 8 and Luke, 10

We received over 30 beautiful drawings in the under 10s category. Some were very colourful, some abstract and some finely detailed, but they all captured the Bumpman's character and facial expression brilliantly, as he gazes towards the sky.

Many used just pencil effectively, while others used bright colours, printed textures or even breakfast cereal to capture the texture of the sculpture. Poems and stories to accompany some of the drawings depicted Bumpman as a lonely, thoughtful character who eventually found friends, weathered a storm, or embraced his uniqueness.

“We all have a story. Mine is a little bumpy.”

Hannah Khan, age 9

11-18

Winners: Jad Idris and Catherine Spencer

The 11-18 category included a range of brilliant artwork from very talented teenagers, many of whom used colour very effectively to capture the highlights and shadows of the sculpture. Some used bright tones and lots of contrast, while others created fine detail in pencil, or used subtle hints of colour to add detail.

Some of these entries placed Bumpman in a new setting, including inside a box, in front of a bramble bush, or surrounded by abstract lines. Others gave Bumpman a new seat, for example a toadstool, playing on his pixie-like appearance, a park bench, or atop a bumpy globe in Thinking out of this bumpy world by Jad Idris.

Several stories or poems were entered alongside drawings, telling engaging tales of Bumpman's attempt to escape the gallery, his trials of being bullied for his appearance, or his love of relaxing in nature.

Adult

Winners: Julie Arnall and Garry Barker

Rich textures and intricate details were used to great effect in the adult category. Many drawings showcased the potential of media such as pencil or watercolour to create a range of qualities in mark making, and the layering of tones to create contrast, bringing Bumpman and his setting to life.

These entries spanned a range of artistic styles, with some altering Bumpman's features to interpret the sculpture in new ways. Others used clever layering and transparency, altered perspectives or even textiles in the embroidered piece by Amelia Baron, to depict the character.