Connie Yang by Abby Wang

This portrait is of my mum; someone I admire deeply. She loves the beach, and in this moment, she’s taking a selfie as the wind blows through her hair. She looks joyful and carefree, as if she’s 16 again, full of youth and energy. I wanted to capture that feeling and preserve it, because it reflects the person she is to me: strong, beautiful, and always full of life.

I began with a pencil sketch, then transferred the outline to a fresh sheet. I started with a base layer of acrylic paint, building up shadows and light to bring depth to the scene. With each layer, I added more detail, finishing with highlights to make the portrait feel vivid and alive.

Portraiture has always been a challenge for me. I’ve often avoided it, worried about getting it wrong. But my mum pushes me to take risks and try new things, even when I’m unsure. Painting this portrait helped me step outside my comfort zone and showed me what I can do when I stop giving up.