The Rocky Shore of Wastwater 1972 by William Heaton Cooper R.I. (1903 - 1995)

Wastwater, the deepest lake in England at 258 feet (79 metres), is a striking glacial lake in the Wasdale valley. It’s surrounded by towering fells, with Great Gable at the head of the valley and Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England, rising up to the west. In this dramatic painting of the lake and its iconic scree slopes, William provides a unique perspective. He concentrates on capturing the rock forms, using tonal values to reflect the fleeting sunlight, and contrasts it to the deep blue of the lake, with the flecks of white paper shining through to represent the windswept surface.

“Here, in the foreground, are two layers of rounded slabs, one laid upon the other as the layers of volcanic ash cooled into place. Then came the ice that left the upper surfaces in curving wave-like forms, while frost and water power revealed the vertical cleavage of each layer.

“Across the lake, the screes fall sheer into the water in curtains of various greys. The lake itself—the deepest in England—has a definite blue-green hue where it reflects the dark mountain. Nearby through the clear water I could see the rock slabs continuing until they disappeared into the green depths. All is so still near the shore, gulls are nearly always flying over its surface.

“As most painting consists of rock, for which I mixed burnt sienna and ultramarine in varying proportions, the interest centred very greatly upon the rock forms, for which the tone values were of the greatest importance in suggesting sunlight.

“All along this north-western shore there are many bays and rocky headlands. The granophyre outcrops by the lake have been the cause of some of the bays being graced by shores of palest pink shingle, and the mosses and brackens bring a richness of colour to the wildest lake in England.” – William Heaton Cooper, Mountain Painter p.32.

Inner Print Sizes:

• Framed - 463 x 372mm / 18.2 x 14.6 inches (Inner Print: 317 x 208mm / 12.5 x 8.2 inches).
  
• Mounted - 434 x 344mm / 17.1 x 13.5 inches (Inner Print: 317 x 208mm / 12.5 x 8.2 inches).
  

Notes:

• Frame & Canvas dimensions may vary slightly due to the slight variations frame width.
• Please allow +/- 5% on all measurements to allow for human error when measuring, rounding & conversions. For an exact measurement of your desired frame, please contact us.
• Canvas Prints do include the frame and come as seen in the photo.
• Canvas frames may vary slightly in color. If you’re ordering multiple canvases or already have a canvas and would like the frame to match, please get in touch.
• Loose Print sizes are the size of the inner picture. All loose prints come with an additional white border, ranging from 30mm to 85mm depending on the print size. This can easily be cut off with a ruler and knife.