#AlaiXPPenXmas Painting Contest Winners & 2026 Thoughts
The Human Art vs. AI Challenge: Hosting the digital tier of the holiday food painting contest required rigorous vetting, including verifying raw layer files and timelapses to fiercely protect and celebrate genuine human effort, messy sketches, and authentic learning curves over AI-generated images.
Celebrating Every Medium: Partnering with XPPen and Escape Motions successfully bridged the gap between pixels and pigments, rewarding top-tier talent across both digital painting software and traditional physical art forms.
Looking Ahead to 2026: With the festive season officially wrapped, studio focus shifts entirely to the upcoming JustMAD 2026 portfolio preparation and locking in the final logistics for the highly anticipated independent painting retreats.
Happy New Year, everyone!
I know, I know. We are nearly in February. Each year, I feel like I start the year later and later. Between organizing the logistics for the upcoming Painting Retreats and preparing my portfolio for JustMAD 2026 (more on this very soon, I promise), getting back to the "office work" has taken a moment.
But before we dive fully into the new season, I want to close 2025 properly by announcing the results of the biggest painting contest I have hosted so far.
First, a massive thank you to XPPen and Escape Motions for supporting this community. Their generosity allowed us to create a prize pool that truly bridges the gap between traditional and digital art.
The Painting Contest: #AlaiXPPenXmas
The prompt for this painting contest was simple: paint your own holiday food. It didn’t have to be a traditional Christmas dinner; it just had to be yours.
Even though we partnered with XPpen (a digital tablet company) and Escape Motions (creators of Rebelle, software), it was crucial for me to keep the painting contest open to every medium. That’s why I included my own physical products in the prize tiers. Whether you stain your hands with oil or use a stylus, the core principles of color and composition remain the same.
The Challenge: Art vs. Algorithms
I want to be transparent about the judging process this year because it brought up an issue we can no longer ignore.
AI made it difficult this time.
Every time I host a painting contest, it becomes harder to filter the entries. This year, I found myself having to reach out individually to many participants in the digital category. I had to ask for layer files, timelapses, or process sketches because there was a lingering suspicion that some entries were AI-generated images passed off as hand-painted art.
It is exhausting to have to "interrogate" creators, but I felt it was necessary. My platform and my AlaiGanuzaAcademia are spaces for human effort, for learning curves, and for the beautiful imperfections of the artistic process.
It is disheartening when people refuse to admit they used AI, but it also reinforced my appreciation for those who actually put in the work. To everyone who sent me their ugly sketches and messy layers: thank you.
The Winners
Despite the extra work in vetting the entries, we found some absolute gems. The creativity, the use of color, and the storytelling were amazing.
Here are the winners of the #AlaiXPPenXmas challenge.
👆Click/tap on each painting to see each artist's Instagram profile :)
DIGITAL PAINTING TIER (Prizes: XPPen Tablets + TraDigital Course + Rebelle 8 PRO)
#1
This painting just screams holiday card! I loved the perspective and the composition with that framing. And the light and color are greatly applied, so what else can I ask!?
That's why they're winning first place :)
#2
This one is more foodie, and I love to discover a new detail and item in every inch of the illustration. It is realistic but at the same time with pushed colors and juicy, sparkly details. Really nice!
#3
And the third one for the XPpen tablet winners is this traditional illustration. I love how cozy and warm this is. I can smell those dishes!
I personally love how it is not "finished" in the back items, but at the same time, it works nicely as a completed illustration. It has depth and focuses the interest on the main dishes. I bet most people probably didn't even see the "unfinished" plates in the past! Brilliant.
PHYSICAL ART TIER (Prizes: Prints & Goodies)
#4
This artist I recognized from my courses :P I didn't want to get biased with entries from people from AlaiGanuza Academia (and I certainly didn't want to get biased with egg paintings!), but this one was genuinely pretty. The perspective, the unique pans and cooker shape, and still, all those colors and brushwork.
That's why they'll win the biggest package I am preparing, warm from the studio.
#5
This one surprised me because of the mood! They pushed the values to achieve the atmosphere without losing all those juicy details.
Plus, I love how they added "mundane" elements to the composition without losing the vibes.
#6
This painting resonated with me because of the caption. Despite being intimidated by the intricate textures and folds in the food, they pushed it and made a stunning painting. So we are celebrating the bravery too!
Also, they painted two versions: with and without a seasonal tablecloth. Click on the photo to see them both.
#7
This one made me smile. Painting a local food that was created by them with their family.
If this doesn't scream holidays, I don't know what does!
#8
Same as the last one, I love it when artists choose the traditional food of their countries. This gets everyone closer to each other's cultures, and it is beautiful.
Also, I love the composition with not only food, but the doggy with begging eyes and the lights in the background!
#9
This painting was the more traditional xmasy looking one. We not only celebrate traditional Christmas, but every holiday, this one collects everything we all envision when thinking about holidays. The colors, the napkins, the food...
#10
This one I loved watching the progress through numerous reels. We celebrate creativity and adding all those characters, not just standing, but participating in the composition with all those plates and elements... just beautiful.
And for that, I am sending this artist the last one of the package prizes!
Plot Twist: Special Mentions
In this painting contest, the level of creativity was so high that leaving it at just 10 winners felt wrong. There were several paintings that, while they didn't make the top cut, had a "vibe" or a creative spark that I just loved.
So, I decided to add a Special Mention category for this painting contest. I will send a small envelope with stickers to the following artists as a token of appreciation for your creativity:
Special Mentions (Prizes: stickers, just because!)
Some of these get the holiday vibe, family and friends, sharing, or just pure skill that I wanted to cheer on.
I encourage everyone to check the hashtag #AlaiXPpenXMas on Instagram and see every entry, not just the winners or special mentions.
Final Thoughts
Despite the headaches with AI verification, looking at all your entries made me incredibly happy. It proves that the drive to create, to interpret reality through your own eyes and hands, is still very much alive.
Thank you for painting with me, for supporting the sponsors, and for being patient as we kick off 2026. Now, back to the easel!
1 comment
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