Canberra artist Ross Townsend's portrait of his 88-year-old mother Jeanne is a finalist in the 2018 Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award, the winner to be announced on Friday. You can almost feel the softness of her cardigan, the tension of the thread and the texture of the tapestry, so realistic is the work.

Billed as "the nation’s most loved and richest realistic portrait prize'' - take that the Archibald! - the competition features a $50,000 award.

It is held biennially at the Bega Valley Regional Gallery, thanks to the generosity of the late Bega artist Shirley Hannan and her family.

Mr Townsend is thrilled to be among the 35 finalists, their stunning work on display at the gallery from October 27 to December 8.

He has previously painted the portrait of Canberra Raiders legend Laurie Daley, 2006 Australian of the Year Professor Ian Frazer, ex- Wallabies great Nick Farr-Jones and retired yellow Wiggle Greg Page.

So why now his mum?

"Probably because her whole life she's been so creative,'' Townsend said.

"I've been blessed in that I got my creativity from her and my grandmother. She's always been really into craft.

"And this was a chance to do a more traditional portrait.''

What does his mum, who lives in Goodwin Village in Monash, think?

"She really likes it,'' he said. "A bit freaked out by it. It's like looking outside your body at yourself creating.''

The prize is non-acquisitive and Townsend's portrait of his mum is already in high demand.

"My three daughters are already arguing over it,'' he said.

Mr Townsend recently left the forensics section of the Australian Federal Police after 36 years to concentrate on his art.

Bega Valley Regional Gallery director Iain Dawson praised the quality of entries.

“This year’s entries were our strongest ever and audiences will see works from past winners, Archibald Prize finalists, and many of Australia’s best-known portraitists,” Mr Dawson said.