Organized by:
City of Fabriano - UNESCO Creative City
Paper and Watermark Museum
The jury was unanimous in voting the following four artist for the 1st, 2nd (runners-up) and 3rd prizes :
(Click on the photos to see the watercolor in high resolution)
1st Prize: Liu Yi (China)
Painting: ‘Beautiful woman in a floral dress’
nominated by Stanislaw Zoladz
2nd Prize (Runners-up):
Hun Sung Jung (South Korea)
Painting: ‘Graceful Repose'
nominated by Anna Massinissa
2nd Prize (Runners-up):
Vicente Garcia Fuentes (Spain)
Painting: ‘La Fine della Notte'
nominated by Konstantin Sterkhov
3rd Prize: Naomi Tydeman (United Kingdom)
Painting: ‘Moonrise over Monkstone Point’
nominated by Konstantin Sterkhov
At their in person and online deliberation, the members of the international jury expressed their admiration for the exceptional quality of the winning works. Each painting demonstrates not only a remarkable command of the watercolour medium, but also a distinctive ability to transform technique into expressive and deeply engaging imagery.
The four winning paintings are united by their assured use of tonal values, sophisticated composition and a compelling sense of atmosphere. Each possesses a distinctive emotional resonance—works of substance, sensitivity, warmth and intrigue. Above all, they reveal artists who have pursued their own individual paths, developing unique visual languages through sustained exploration and commitment.
These are paintings that reward contemplation and, ultimately, leave us wanting to see more.
Liu Yi's painting: Beautiful woman in a floral dress
This evocative painting shows a command of watercolour at its highest level. The reclining woman painted by Liu Yi contains beautiful areas of extreme focus and areas of lost edges creating a magical atmosphere reminiscent of a lost time.Using a limited palette liu Yi shows a mastery of the medium and control of lost and found edges as well as using contrast between light and shadow showing his dexterity with the brush.
Hun Sung Jung's painting: Graceful Repose
With a limited palette Hung Sung Jung has created a beautiful portrait of an elderly woman in a white blouse sipping Tea. The use of the paper as white, a very traditional watercolour technique has been used in a sophisticated manner. The darkest areas around the face and hand create a focal point that catches the eye resting finally on the blue cup.
Vicente Garcia Fuentes's painting: La Fine della Notte
This noctourn is built on many contrasts, hot and cold, warm and cool, electric and natural, fire and ice. Broad washes with very busy textural areas is technically engaging. This painting of Iceland uses a variety of wet and dry techniques which captures the eye of the viewer.
Naomi Tydeman's painting: Moonrise over Monkstone Point
TThis seascape captures a magical moment in time. An atmospheric painting that uses granulations and gold leaf to produces a textural masterpiece. This painting of a traditional subject displays a sophisticated use of abstract elements, at the same time of suggesting realism within her subject.
Special Mentions from the Jury: The jury decided to select two paintings for a special mention.
nominated by Andrey Zadorin Belarus artist Kristina Pavlovna Melnik-Subtselna with watercolour "Madonna” Shifting between traditional to contemporary painting, Kristina mixes Iconagraphic imagery with a very modern technical approach.
nominated by Konstantin Sterkhov Russian artist Evgenia Voinar with watercolour "Hide and seek in the wood”. Living in Moscow Evgenia uses her paintings as a way to express her feelings living in etxreme conditions. Using conceptual visual language to share her inner thoughts.
Special Mentions were also made of the next eight artist receiving a high number of votes:
Jorge Corpuna nominated by Nadia Tognazzo (Peru) “Blessing of Father sun”
Olga Litvinenko nominated by Atanus Matsoureff (Russia) “Moonlight night in Florence”
Julia Ustinovich nominated by Nadia Tognazzo (Poland) “Inherited Light”
Elke Memmler nominated by Anna Massinissa (Germany) “Amaryllis”
Lillias August nominated by Konstantin Sterkhov (United Kingdom) “Two old shirts
Igor Sava nominated by Joseph Zbukvic (Italy) “Passeggiata Romana
Michal Suffczynski by Atanus Matsoureff (Poland) “Winter valley 2”
Hong Shen nominated by Rick Huang Huazhao (China) “A step at a time, a journey through life”
Museum visitors Choice
Hun Sung Jung
Lillias August
Michal Suffczynski
The jury was keen to emphasise that the process of selection extended far beyond the works ultimately receiving the highest number of votes. Many of the paintings encountered during the exhibition were compelling, thought-provoking and memorable. Some challenged conventional perceptions of watercolour; others were elusive, abstract or deeply personal. Their diversity of approaches ensured that individual works resonated differently with each member of the jury, and several remained particularly vivid in their minds throughout the deliberations.
This breadth and diversity are among the great strengths of the Fabriano Watercolour Biennale.
The exhibition brings together artists of international reputation alongside emerging voices, creating a dynamic dialogue between established practice and new directions in contemporary watercolour.
Importantly, the Biennale recognises that watercolour is no longer confined by traditional definitions of the medium or by the boundaries of a particular artistic discipline. Artists working in oil, sculpture, design and other fields are increasingly embracing watercolour as a vital means of contemporary expression, exploring its fluidity, transparency and unpredictability in new and innovative ways.
It is precisely this spirit of exploration that future editions of the Fabriano Watercolour Biennale seek to encourage.
The jury strongly believes that the Biennale should continue to embrace the full breadth of contemporary watercolour practice: from the traditional to the experimental, from representation to abstraction, and from established masters to the artists who will shape the future of the medium.
The Fabriano Watercolour Biennale is, above all, a celebration of the extraordinary possibilities of watercolour and of the international community of artists who continue to expand its language.
Our sincere thanks go to all the invited artists and jury members who generously contributed their time, expertise and vision to the 9th Edition of the Biennial International Prize, “Fabriano Watercolour 2026.”
And finally, our particular gratitude goes to Giorgio Pelligrini, Francesca Mannucci and their dedicated team, whose vision, commitment and organisation have made this remarkable international event possible.
The President of the Jury
Valentina Verlato
