100% Hand-Painted Oil
Breaking Waves I shows a single large wave caught mid-break in a pale grey sea, with a low band of cloud overhead and no other element in the frame. The water carries many slightly different temperatu...
- TryArtWork
- Catalog
- Artists
- David James
- Breaking Waves I
-
✈️ Free Worldwide Shipping & Production Times
-
🛡️ 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee & Returns
-
🎨 100% Hand-Painted Oil Art
Our benefits
-
-
Free Worldwide Shipping -
Museum-Quality Standards
Features
“Breaking Waves I”
by David James
| Overview | |
|---|---|
|
Author
|
|
|
Color
|
Blue,
Green,
White,
Dark Blue
|
|
Tags
|
Ocean,
Water,
Seascape,
Nature,
Marine,
Blue,
Storm
|
| Concept and Style | |
|
Topics
|
Seascape , Marine
|
| Painting Details | |
|
Alternate Titles
|
Seascape With Crashing Waves
|
|
Art Movement
|
Maritime Art
|
|
Historical Events
|
19th-Century Maritime Exploration
|
| Visual and Stylistic Elements | |
|
Brushwork/Texture
|
Bold And Dynamic
|
|
Focal Point
|
The Breaking Wave
|
|
Light Source
|
Reflected Ocean Light
|
|
Objects
|
Waves , Sea , Sky , Ocean , Water
|
|
Orientation
|
Horizontal
|
|
Perspective
|
Expansive Perspective
|
| Original Masterpiece Features | |
|
Creation Process
|
Oil On Canvas
|
|
Inscriptions/Signatures
|
Signed By James
|
|
Provenance
|
Private Collection
|
| Influences and Related Works | |
|
Influences
|
Seascape Painting
|
|
Related Works
|
Stormy Seascapes
|
| Exhibition and Market Information | |
|
Criticism & Reception
|
Admired For Its Dramatic Representation Of The Sea
|
|
Cultural Significance
|
Symbolizes The Force And Majesty Of Nature
|
|
Current Owner
|
Private Collection
|
|
Exhibition History
|
Private Exhibitions
|
|
Public Domain Status
|
Public Domain
|
Did you see an error in the description or specifications? Let us know about it!
Report an error
Description
“Breaking Waves I”
by David James
Breaking Waves I shows a single large wave caught mid-break in a pale grey sea, with a low band of cloud overhead and no other element in the frame. The water carries many slightly different temperatures of grey — warm, cool, faintly green — and the foam is laid in thick textured passages that catch the light at the top of the wave.
The hand-painted oil reproduction keeps the variety of greys and the physical texture of the foam, which is the part of this kind of marine work that defines it and that print cannot match. The canvas is hand-finished in oil and built in multiple layers; the surface is part of the picture rather than just the carrier of an image.
The image suits a wall with steady, cool natural light: a hallway, a sitting room above a low sofa, a bedroom wall with linen and pale wood. A simple white or pale wood frame keeps the temperature of the picture intact. Standard sizes are offered; custom sizes are available for a particular wall. The reproduction is hand-finished on stretched canvas and ready to hang.
Collector's Guide PDF
“Breaking Waves I”
by David James
Reviews
“Breaking Waves I”
by David James
Q/A
“Breaking Waves I”
by David James
Experts answer questions
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What does Breaking Waves I depict?
-
What visual and technical challenges does the wave subject present?
-
What is the tradition of wave painting in Western art?
-
How does a print of Breaking Waves I work in an interior?
Additional Information
“Breaking Waves I”
by David James
- Quotes
- Interesting facts
- Best Rooms & Interior Pairings
- Hand-Painted Reproduction Notes
- Composition, Colors & Visual Details
“The ocean’s power has always inspired artists to attempt the impossible.” David Cordingly
“Wave paintings capture a moment that exists for only a second.” Christine Riding
“The breaking wave is one of nature’s most dramatic performances.” Geoff Quilley
“Marine painters must understand the sea as well as paint it.” Brian Lavery
“In the breaking wave, artists find the sublime.” E.H.H. Archibald
#1. Marine Specialist. David James specialized in dramatic seascape paintings capturing the power of the ocean.
#2. Wave Dynamics. The painting demonstrates careful study of how waves form, crest, and break.
#3. British Tradition. The work continues the British tradition of marine painting that dates back centuries.
#4. Atmospheric Effect. The painting captures the spray and foam of breaking waves with remarkable fidelity.
#5. Popular Subject. Dramatic wave paintings have always appealed to collectors fascinated by the sea's power.
This work fits hallways, lounges, and similar spaces. It also works as part of a small gallery wall when paired with restrained companion pieces. warm cream walls and natural linen in a classic interior set it off well. The depth and atmosphere reward a viewing distance of several feet, while the brushwork rewards a close approach. It works equally well above seating or as a feature wall on its own.
Studio handling of this piece begins with the changing tone of the sky, followed by the focal point — the breaking wave. Layers build slowly; the painter waits for each pass before adding the next so the surface holds depth. In landscapes, the painter holds finer brushwork for foreground texture while the background stays softer. Hand-painted oil reproduction on canvas — close to the spirit of the original, made by a painter and not a printer.
Distance and surface read in clear sequence, with The Breaking Wave drawing the eye. Across the picture the eye picks up waves, sea, sky, ocean, and water, none overstated. Light is handled with restraint, modeling rather than dramatizing the forms. Color is led by blue, green, white, and dark blue, giving the surface its temperature. Paint is built up in measured layers, the surface holding both finish and quiet variation. The whole reads as a single arrangement; the parts hold their own when examined.
