Drawing & DIY Craft Workshops | Animaga Sydney 2027

Animaga Drawing Area

Discover a world of colour and hands-on artistry at the Drawing & Craft Area for Animaga Sydney next March! Located right on the convention floor at ICC Sydney, this dedicated space invites everyone—from first-time hobbyists to experienced illustrators—to explore new techniques and express their visual style.

Our weekend lineup features an expansive variety of interactive stations. Sketch your favourite characters on the community wall, master traditional origami folds, or press your own custom wearable badges to pin to your bag or lanyard. If you enjoy playing with bold colours and textures, layer brilliant patterns at the sand bottle station, assemble a glowing water bead wish jar, or paint a traditional Japanese hand fan to carry through the halls.

Our enthusiastic team will be on hand all weekend with clear guides, quality tools, and ready-to-use templates to ensure you walk away with a piece you love. Every station is completely free with your convention ticket, offering the ideal spot for friends and families to unwind, collaborate, and make distinctive physical keepsakes together.

Additional activity schedules and featured craft designs will be revealed closer to the event. Whether you want to pick up a brand-new skill or simply relax between stage shows, the Drawing & Craft Area is your home for hands-on creativity at Animaga Sydney 2027!

The Animaga Drawing Competition Returns for Animaga Sydney 2027

The Animaga Drawing Competition returns for Animaga Sydney next March, challenging artists to explore the intersection of futuristic design and functional style with our official theme: Sci-Fi & Techwear!

This prompt invites you to fuse high-concept science fiction with the structured, utilitarian aesthetic of modern tactical apparel. Whether your vision leans toward dystopian cyber-streetwear, advanced protective exo-suits, sleek cybernetic enhancements, or futuristic urban utility gear, we want to see your interpretation take form on paper and canvas. Artists across all skill levels and artistic backgrounds are warmly welcomed to submit their work across our Fine Art and Digital Art categories to build an inspiring communal gallery right on the convention floor.

Special Theme & Mascot Award

For participants looking to qualify for the Special Mascot Award, ensure your artwork incorporates the official Sci-Fi & Techwear theme while featuring at least one of Animaga’s official mascots, Annya or Maka, styled in custom futuristic gear!

On-Site Entry Requirements

To enter the competition, you must deliver your completed physical artwork in person during the Animaga Sydney weekend next March. We are only accepting physical entries brought directly to the Drawing Area on-site (or delivered via proxy by a friend); online uploads or mailed-in submissions cannot be accepted for judging. Please ensure your piece is mounted or prepared cleanly for wall exhibition and submitted prior to the Sunday deadline.

Keep an eye on our official social channels and website for announcements regarding the prize pool, judging panel introductions, and gallery display schedules. We cannot wait to see your Sci-Fi & Techwear visions light up the show floor in Sydney!

Animaga Sydney 2027 Drawing Competition Rules

At Animaga, we take pride in celebrating authentic artistry and artistic expression in all its forms. The Animaga Drawing Competition offers artists of all ages and skill levels an open platform to showcase their talent, share their visual style, and connect with fellow artists across the community.

Please review the official guidelines, eligibility criteria, and submission rules below to prepare your piece for Animaga Sydney next March.

Submission Formats & Sizes

Standard On-Site Category: General on-site submissions must be completed on the official A4 competition paper sheet, available directly at the Drawing Area during convention hours. Artworks submitted on unauthorized paper stock cannot be accepted into the standard pool.
Fine Arts Category: Traditional illustrations or digital art prints entered under the Fine Arts tier are permitted up to A3 size.
Submission via Proxy: If you cannot attend the event in person to deliver your artwork, a friend or proxy may deliver and submit your completed physical entry directly to the Drawing Area staff on your behalf during operational submission hours.

Accepted Mediums & Display Requirements

Participants are encouraged to use any traditional mediums of their choice, including graphite, ink, coloured pencils, markers, watercolours, gouache, or mixed media.

Note: All physical entries must be lightweight enough to be securely hung and displayed on communal exhibition walls without damaging the work.

Official Theme: Sci-Fi & Techwear

The official theme for the Animaga Sydney 2027 Drawing Competition is “Sci-Fi & Techwear.”

We challenge participants to blend high-concept science fiction with the functional, utilitarian aesthetics of modern tactical wear. While designing your piece around the official theme is not mandatory, thoughtfully incorporating the prompt into your character design, equipment details, or background storytelling will be considered favourably by the judging panel.

Originality & Human Artistry Policy

100% Original Work: Every submission must be an original illustration conceived and rendered entirely by the entrant specifically for this competition. Traced artwork, heavily copied compositions, or direct copyright infringements will result in immediate disqualification.
No Generative AI: Animaga is committed to supporting genuine human craftsmanship. The use of generative AI tools at any stage of the ideation, lineart, colouring, or rendering process is strictly prohibited.
Commercial Restriction: Digital entries submitted into the competition must not be sold as commercial prints in the Artist Alley or Exhibitor Hall during the convention weekend.

Entry Limits

Artists are welcome to complete and turn in multiple drawings for on-site wall display; however, only one piece per artist can be formally nominated and considered for competitive judging and awards.

Special Award Categories

Special Mascot Award: To qualify for this category, your artwork must incorporate the Sci-Fi & Techwear theme while featuring at least one of Animaga’s official mascots, Annya or Maka.
Best Children’s Award: Open to junior artists! To be eligible, entrants must present a valid Child Admission pass, write their current age clearly in the marked section of the submission sheet, or notify the Drawing Area crew upon hand-in.

Submission Deadlines & Winner Announcements

Hand-in Deadline: All entries must be handed in at the Drawing Area desk no later than 2:00 PM on Sunday of the event weekend. Late entries cannot be processed into the judging pool.
Winners Announcement: The official awards presentation and winners announcement will take place at 4:00 PM on Sunday.
Evaluation Criteria: Entries are evaluated on artistic execution, technical composition, creativity, and originality at the sole discretion of our official judging panel. Please remain near the area or ensure your contact details are legible on your entry sheet, as unclaimed awards may be forfeited.

Terms & Display Rights

All personal contact details collected for the Drawing Competition remain strictly confidential and will only be used for winner verification and prize coordination. Submitted physical and digital entries may be publicly displayed across the convention floor during the weekend and may be photographed or featured on Animaga’s official website, digital channels, and future event promotional materials.

We’re excited to offer an incredible lineup of prizes proudly sponsored by Wacom and MangaArts. Here’s what you could win:

Digital Fine Art Drawing Competition (Theme: Sci-fi & Techwear — Sponsored by Wacom)

1st Place: Wacom MovinkPad 11
2nd Place: Wacom One Pen Display 14
Special / Mascot Prize: Wacom Intuos M Black

Traditional Fine Art Drawing Competition

Winner: Premium Art Supply Pack (Sponsored by MangaArts)
Runner-up: Deluxe Art Supply Pack (Sponsored by MangaArts)

Onsite Drawing Competition

Digital Prize: Wacom One Pen Tablet Small (Wacom Prize Pack)
Traditional Prize: Onsite Drawing Prize Pack from MangaArts

Best Children’s Prize

Curated Children’s Art Material Pack from MangaArts

Sponsor by

Wacom Australia

Manga Arts and Comic Art Gear

Calling all manga artists, illustrators, and webtoon creators! Animaga is thrilled to present the official 2027 Manga Drawing Competition, hosted in proud partnership with Clip Studio Paint. We challenge you to push your storytelling, dynamic paneling, and character design skills to the limit by creating an original one-shot comic or vertical-scrolling webtoon.

Competition Theme: Coming Soon!

The official theme for the 2027 competition will be revealed in the coming weeks. Whether your style is action-packed shonen, emotional slice-of-life, fantasy, or psychological suspense, get your drawing tablets and pens ready to bring an original visual narrative to life once the prompt drops!

Prizes & Creator Rewards (Powered by Clip Studio Paint)

We have teamed up with Clip Studio Paint to provide industry-standard creative tools to power your digital art journey:

Grand Prize (1st Place): Full 1-Year License for Clip Studio Paint EX
Runner-Up (2nd Place): Full 1-Year License for Clip Studio Paint PRO
Participation Reward: Every artist who submits a valid entry meeting the formatting requirements will receive a 3-Month Clip Studio Paint EX Activation Code to support their future creative work!

Judging & Selection

Entries will be evaluated through a balanced split between community public voting and scores from our official judging panel. The jury features seasoned creative professionals, industry artists, and guest judges who will be revealed alongside the full competition rollout.

Key Rules & Submission Guidelines

Format Flexibility: Submissions are welcome as either traditional page-format manga/comic one-shots or modern, vertical-scrolling webtoons.
100% Original Content: All entries must be entirely original works conceived for this competition. Fan art, adaptations of existing intellectual properties, or previously published works are ineligible.
Human Creativity Commitment: This competition is dedicated to celebrating authentic human craftsmanship, technique, and personal expression. The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools at any point in the drafting, illustration, or lineart process is strictly prohibited.

Submission Schedule & Entry Links

Key dates covering the submission window, judging schedule, and official upload portals will be released alongside the theme announcement in the lead-up to Animaga Sydney next March.

Keep your drawing tablets charged and follow our official channels for the upcoming theme reveal and application form drop!

Sponsor by

The Free Drawing Wall is a dedicated open canvas for fans to contribute to a massive community mural at Animaga Sydney next March! Located right on the convention floor, this interactive space invites attendees of all skill levels to grab a marker, find an open spot, and leave their mark with original sketches, favourite anime characters, or commemorative messages.

Throughout the weekend, each individual doodle and illustration joins together to form a vibrant, ever-evolving collaborative gallery celebrating the passion and artistic spirit of the Sydney community. By the close of the event, the wall stands as an incredible visual tribute to the imagination shared by everyone who took part.

Explore the versatility and elegance of paper art at the Paper Crafting Corner and Origami Workshop at Animaga Sydney next March! Located on the vibrant convention floor, these hands-on spaces offer a relaxing, focused environment for attendees of all ages to enjoy 3D model assembly and traditional Japanese folding techniques.

Paper Crafting Corner

Transform flat printed sheets into stunning three-dimensional art! We provide an extensive selection of pre-designed templates that allow you to construct 3D character figures, decorative keepsakes, and intricate miniature dioramas. No prior craft experience is needed—simply pick a project template and follow our clear, step-by-step illustrated assembly guides.

With projects sorted by difficulty, you can start with quick, beginner-friendly builds or test your precision with complex, multi-part paper kits. Best of all, every piece you complete is yours to take home as a custom handmade souvenir of your Animaga weekend!

Origami Area

Immerse yourself in the mindful, timeless Japanese art of paper folding. Our Origami zone operates as a fully self-serve creative station open throughout the entire weekend, allowing you to drop in whenever you like and fold at your own pace.

Whether you are eager to master foundational patterns like the traditional peace crane and butterfly, or you are an experienced folder taking on intricate geometric tessellations, all necessary origami papers, folding tools, and instruction sheets are provided free on-site at the Drawing & Craft Area.

Take a relaxing creative break between stage shows, sit down with friends, and see what you can craft with a single sheet of paper!

Design, Craft, Create: Animaga Sydney 2027 Art & Craft Highlights

At Animaga, the artist in you gets to play! We have curated a vibrant lineup of hands-on activities designed to turn every visitor into an active artist, regardless of background or skill level.

From sketching iconic characters to layering brilliant coloured sands into miniature bottle art, our craft stations serve as an open playground for every visual style. Whether you are exploring with family, hanging out with friends, or visiting solo, you will find activities that are simple to pick up, with our enthusiastic crew ready to guide you through the process.

The true highlight of these spaces is the personal touch you take home. Every badge you press, every origami crane you fold, and every paper model you assemble becomes a one-of-a-kind keepsake of your convention weekend. These are more than just simple crafts—they are personal souvenirs of the artistic energy and memorable moments you experience at Animaga Sydney next March!

Make Your Own Keepsake at the DIY Badge Design Station

Design your own wearable art at the DIY Badge Design Station, a fan-favourite destination returning for Animaga Sydney next March! This is your opportunity to build a custom accessory that is entirely your own, turning a blank circular canvas into a physical piece of your convention experience.

Grab a seat and use our selection of markers, coloured pencils, and fine-line pens to start your illustration. Whether you want to sketch an iconic anime favourite, doodle a whimsical original character, or stylize your social handle in bold typography, your piece will become a one-of-a-kind highlight of your weekend. We supply everything you need, including circular paper templates, quality art materials, and the manual badge-pressing machines that transform your artwork into a finished, polished pin-back button. Our friendly crew will be right there to operate the press and help you crimp your finished badge.

As this is consistently one of our most popular hands-on zones, badge components are allocated on a daily basis. We recommend dropping by the station early to secure your spot before daily supplies run out. The activity is completely free for all attendees, leaving you with a personalized, wearable keepsake that captures the spirit of Animaga Sydney 2027!

Design a Functional Masterpiece at the Hand Fan DIY Station

Design a functional piece of art at the Hand Fan DIY Station, returning for Animaga Sydney next March! This activity invites you to transform a traditional uchiwa-style fan into an eye-catching canvas for your imagination, resulting in a signature accessory that is entirely your own.

Whether you want to illustrate an iconic character, experiment with bold Japanese patterns, or calligraphy a personal message, the look is completely up to you. Every fan becomes a physical highlight of your weekend—a one-of-a-kind item that is as enjoyable to paint and ink as it is to carry across the convention floor. Our crafting area comes fully equipped with blank fans, vibrant markers, coloured pens, and stencils, providing all the materials you need to bring your visual ideas to life.

Best of all, this activity is completely free for all Animaga attendees. Your finished fan is not only a stylish way to stay cool during a busy day of panels and shopping, but also a handmade keepsake to display at home long after the event wraps up. Stop by, customize your piece, and carry your own artwork with you throughout the weekend!

Layer Your Imagination into a Vibrant Treasure at the Sand Bottle Art Station

Build a vibrant masterpiece one grain at a time at the Sand Bottle Art Station, arriving at Animaga Sydney next March! This fan-favourite activity transforms fine dyed sands into miniature works of display art, offering a colourful, tactile way to capture the energy and memories of your weekend.

Begin your project by selecting from a variety of clear glass bottles in different shapes and silhouettes. By pouring and layering brilliant sands in endless combinations, you can form smooth pastel gradients, swirling desert landscapes, or bold geometric strata. As the bottle fills, your design comes alive—a dazzling piece of home decor that catches the light and stands as a distinctive keepsake from the show floor.

The beauty of sand art lies in its pure accessibility; no prior craft experience is needed, making it an engaging, relaxing activity for children, parents, and solo attendees alike. It offers a mindful break from the bustling aisles, letting you experiment freely with vibrant hues and clean textures.

Because Sand Bottle Art is in exceptionally high demand, bottles and sand supplies are allocated on a daily basis. We strongly recommend visiting the craft tables early in the day to reserve your seat before daily stock is exhausted. Take a moment to unwind, mix your favourite palette, and walk away with a handmade treasure ready to display on your shelf!

DIY Water Bead Wish Jar

Bottle up the magic of your convention weekend with a sparkling, hands-on DIY Water Bead Wish Jar at Animaga Sydney next March! This interactive drop-in activity lets you assemble a radiant sensory keepsake packed with luminous, jewel-toned water crystals that will brighten up any shelf or desk.

Take a seat and experiment with contrasting colour palettes, design dreamy layered gradients, and finish off your display bottle with a written wish or favourite convention memory tucked inside. Whether you are looking for an engaging all-ages activity with family or simply want to walk away with a custom memento, this station offers a relaxing, tactile creative break right on the show floor.

All necessary materials are supplied free on-site—including clear display jars, scoops, and a full spectrum of vibrant water beads—with no extra fees beyond your general admission ticket. Drop by the Drawing & Craft Area, explore your favourite palette, and take home a gleaming, handmade keepsake from Animaga Sydney 2027!

Note: Table space and jar supplies are allocated daily throughout the weekend while stocks last, so we recommend visiting the station early.

DIY Letter Keychain Station

Turn your favourite anime characters, ultimate biases, or personal gamertags into a wearable statement with our hands-on DIY Letter Keychain activity at Animaga Sydney next March! For just $8 each, string together vibrant alphabet blocks, playful pastel accents, stars, and colourful novelty beads to build a one-of-a-kind accessory.

Clip your finished piece onto your ita-bag, phone strap, car keys, or convention lanyard to showcase your fandom pride wherever you go. With a massive variety of charms, cords, and bead palettes laid out across the crafting tables, jump right into the fun and assemble a stylish piece of custom convention merch to take home.

Materials and workbench spots are available on a casual drop-in basis all weekend long while daily supplies last—stop by the craft tables early to pick out your favourite letters and charms!