Congratulations to Florence Yuqing for winning The Raw Umber Studios Prize: Raw Umber Studios believes that the most exciting contemporary portraiture lies at the intersection of technical excellence and creative expression. Their annual prize, inaugurated in 2023, encourages and rewards such work. Value £2,000.
Florence Yuqing, ‘Self Familiar Yet Unknown’
Can you tell us more about your exhibiting (award winning?) painting? What was the inspiration for it?
“Self: Familiar Yet Unknown” is one of my self-portraits and part of a growing collection that began with my first self-portrait in 2023. With this piece, as with many of my recent self-portraits, I wanted to convey a sense of peace and calm.
The inspiration comes from the idea that how we see ourselves in the mirror, and how we understand ourselves internally, often differs from how others perceive us. To me, I’m familiar. I see myself every day, I live with myself, and I know my thoughts, emotions, and experiences. But to others, I might be someone they interpret in ways I can’t fully see myself.
That contrast is what I aimed to capture in this painting: the duality of being intimately known to oneself, yet unknowable to others. Hence the title, Familiar Yet Unknown.
What is the process you use for the portrait, is there a consistent pattern with each work?
I would say there is a consistent pattern in my process, as with most of my paintings. Since I started doing self-portraits, I’ve been capturing myself randomly with a camera—mostly selfies. When I’m ready to start a new self-portrait, I go through these references and pick one that matches the mood and feeling I want to convey. Of course, I also add elements as I paint that aren’t in the reference but that I think will work in the portrait, like clothing details or colours on the face. I begin with a pencil sketch, which is usually simple and quick because I get excited and can’t wait to start painting. From the sketch to the painting often takes only a few minutes, and I don’t do very detailed drawings.
As I paint, I always place a mirror in front of me. This helps me check details of my face and allows me to occasionally view the painting through the mirror. I find this very useful because sometimes, when looking directly at the painting, it’s hard to spot what’s not quite right. But seeing the reversed image in the mirror makes details clearer and shows what needs adjustment. Then I apply layers of watercolour until the painting feels finished. One of my favourite finishing touches is adding highlights in the eyes, as I find these simple small details can instantly give the portrait a soulful and lively feeling.
How long did your portrait take to make?
It took around two days to complete.
Who is the sitter?
The sitter is myself.
How did you hear about the RP and what has your experience been like working with us and Mall Galleries to date?
I’ve always known about the RP, it’s such a prestigious society, with a rich history and many wonderful member artists whose work I admire. I started following the RP on Instagram several years ago, which allowed me to stay more closely connected with its activities and exhibitions.
I submitted my own work for the first time in 2022 and was delighted to be accepted. Since then, I’ve entered every year and have been fortunate to be selected each time, this now marks my fourth year exhibiting with the RP.
It’s been a fantastic experience. The team at Mall Galleries have always been incredibly helpful. As a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, I’ve also worked closely with them during our annual exhibition, and I regularly enter open calls from other FBA societies. Overall, it’s always a smooth and positive experience, the staff are friendly, efficient, and supportive. They’ve also been supportive in the sale of my work, for which I’m very grateful.
Is there anything which you are working on at the moment or/ and you have coming up?
I’m currently working on a series of self-portraits. And as I usually paint on a smaller scale, I’m now challenging myself with larger pieces, which I hope to share soon. I also have a few exciting portrait commissions in progress.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I plan to continue entering the RP annual exhibitions. This year marks my fourth time exhibiting with the RP, and I’m honoured to have won the RP Prize for Best Small Portrait last year (2024). This year, I’ve been awarded the Raw Umber Studios Prize. It’s a huge honour to receive prizes two years in a row at such a prestigious society with such a rich history.
These awards are a wonderful encouragement and mean a great deal to me. As a watercolour artist, it feels especially rewarding to have my work recognised within such a distinguished portraiture society. It’s a real honour to know my work is appreciated.
Mark Sepple Photography, PV 2025
