Celebrating one of four artists Florence Yuqing for winning THE RP PURCHASE PRIZE

Q. How long did your portrait take to make? Is there anything about the process you’d like to share?

The portrait took me around four to five hours to complete. This drawing feels quite special to me, as I don’t usually focus on drawing. When I paint, I tend to move into the painting process quite quickly, and the initial sketch is always very brief and light, it usually gets covered with paint almost immediately. This time, I decided to preserve that fleeting stage of the drawing, a quiet moment that often disappears too soon.

Q. Is there anything about the sitter you’d like to share?

It’s a self-portrait. I’ve been working on a series of self-portraits recently, mainly in watercolour, so this is one of the first in pencil.

Q. What is your background with portraiture?

Portraiture has always been a central part of my practice since I began painting at a young age. My work explores the beauty of the flesh and the delicate nature of human beings, often in watercolour. In all my past exhibitions, portraiture has been my main focus, and I have undertaken portrait commissions for international clients.

Q. Where do you take inspiration from?

I draw inspiration from daily life and the people around me, as well as sometimes from music. Lately, I have been focusing mainly on self-portraits and imagined characters. Inspiration usually comes as an idea, which I sketch on paper to see if it aligns with my imagination. Once the drawing clicks, I move into the painting process.

Q. Do you have anything exciting coming up?

I’m pleased that my painting Made of Dreams has been shortlisted for the main prize of the Cass Art Prize 2025, as one of 15 finalists. There will be an exhibition from 24 October to 1 November 2025 at the Copeland Gallery. In the meantime, I’m working on more self-portraits and imagined portraits, and I’m also exploring graphite works following my drawing Self, For Now, which won The RP Purchase Prize.