Black & whiteRaised oil5 styles · 15 sizes
A wave of sea foam dying on volcanic sand, captured at the very moment it unfolds: this is the image evoked by Undulating Abstraction. On a deep black background, a wide band of white and pearl grey material crosses the canvas diagonally, with jagged edges that look like frothing sea foam. The paint is applied thickly, forming a genuine textured 3D wave that beckons you to trace it with your gaze. This is a hand-painted oil painting, made to order: each canvas is therefore a unique piece. The work comes in five styles, from the streamlined diagonal wave to versions enhanced with golden touches or spiraling curls, and in fifteen vertical sizes, ranging from 40 x 60 cm up to 150 x 220 cm, with custom dimensions also possible. Delivered unframed, it is suitable for a raw or framed presentation, depending on your taste. In an entryway, a hallway, or above a sofa, it commands a graphic and soothing presence, standing at the boundary between abstraction and seascape.
Five styles
Style A
Style A – The diagonal wave
A wash of white foam crosses the black diagonally.
Style B
Style B – The golden shore
Black and light grey separated by a gold edge.
Style C
Style C – The splashed wash
Grey background, white splatters, black strokes, and gold lines.
Style D
Style D – The swirl
A white spiral unfurls into the black.
Style E
Style E – The cliff
A large light section facing a jagged black mass.
All five styles are available in the same fifteen sizes. Styles A, D, and E play on pure black and white contrast, while styles B and C introduce gold lines that warm up the composition.
The technique
Impasto, or paint that takes on volume
Impasto refers to applying paint in a thick layer so that it retains the shape of the brushstrokes after drying. Oil paint is particularly well-suited for this: it dries slowly, retains its volume, and can be worked, stretched, or sculpted long after it has been applied. The painter can thus build actual reliefs, ridges, furrows, and asperities that protrude from the canvas surface.
On Undulating Abstraction, this technique creates the 3D wave effect: the white, granular, and foamy material rises above the black background and creates an illusion of depth. Depending on the time of day and the angle of the light, the reliefs cast fine shadows that change the appearance of the canvas throughout the day.
What makes it unique
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Raised wave
Thick material evoking sea foam.
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Powerful contrast
Black and white to suit any interior.
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Five interpretations
Diagonal, golden shore, wash, spiral, cliff.
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Hand-painted
Original oil painting, made to order.
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Fifteen sizes
From 40 x 60 cm to 150 x 220 cm.
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Custom-made
Size adapted to your wall, upon request.
The movement of the ocean, in black and white
By foregoing color, Undulating Abstraction focuses all attention on movement and texture. Black becomes the deep ocean or dark sand; white, the foam that breaks and spreads out. The eye naturally follows the diagonal, from top to bottom, just as one follows a breaking wave.
This graphic approach makes the canvas an ideal focal point in contemporary interiors: light grey walls, polished concrete or marble floors, black furniture, and dark leather, as seen in the entryways and living rooms of our photos. The gold-enhanced styles bring a more precious touch, which dialogues with brass light fixtures and accessories.
Choosing and installing your canvas
1
Choose your style from the five interpretations, depending on whether you prefer pure black and white or a touch of gold.
2
Measure your wall and select the size: the canvas should occupy about two-thirds of the width of the furniture it hangs above.
3
Decide on the presentation: the canvas is delivered unframed; it should be framed or mounted on a stretcher bar depending on the desired finish.
4
Hang at eye level, with the center of the work around 1.50 m from the floor, and use grazing light to reveal the reliefs.
The five styles at a glance
| Style |
Composition |
Palette |
| A |
Diagonal wave of foam |
Black, white, pearl grey |
| B |
Two masses separated by a shore |
Black, light grey, gold edge |
| C |
Splashed wash and gestural strokes |
Grey, white, black, gold lines |
| D |
Spiral swirl |
White and black |
| E |
Light section facing a jagged mass |
Light grey, white, black |
Work made to order: each canvas is hand-painted upon request, which guarantees a unique piece but may extend the shipping time compared to an in-stock item. Slight variations in relief and shade from one canvas to another are part of its character.
Lighting tip: to enhance the texture, use grazing light, coming from the side or above, such as an adjustable spotlight or a wall lamp. The white reliefs will then cast fine shadows on the black background, and the wave will seem to literally emerge from the canvas.
Technical specifications
| Title |
Undulating Abstraction |
| Technique |
Oil painting, hand-painted |
| Medium |
Canvas |
| Finish |
Raised texture, 3D wave effect |
| Palette |
Black, white, grey; gold touches (styles B and C) |
| Styles |
A, B, C, D, E |
| Sizes |
40x60, 50x70, 60x90, 70x100, 80x120, 80x140, 90x130, 90x150, 100x160, 100x180, 110x170, 120x180, 130x180, 140x200, 150x220 cm |
| Custom |
Possible upon request |
| Frame |
Not included (delivered without stretcher) |
| Production |
Made to order, unique piece |
Before ordering: the canvas is delivered without a frame or stretcher bar; plan for framing or mounting on a stretcher to hang it. Thick paint reliefs are sensitive to impacts and friction: handle the canvas by the edges and avoid laying it face-down. Keep it away from humidity and direct sunlight.
A work to give… or to treat yourself
For a housewarming, a significant birthday, or the furnishing of a new professional space, an original painting is a gift that stands the test of time. The black and white of Undulating Abstraction has the advantage of fitting into almost any interior.
Discover all our canvases in our Wall Art collection, complete the atmosphere with our lighting fixtures, and browse our decor ideas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the five styles?
All five styles share the same spirit, a textured dialogue between black and white, but each offers its own composition. Style A is the diagonal wave of foam, most faithful to the work's title. Style B separates two masses, black and light grey, with a thin gold edge. Style C mixes a grey wash, white splatters, black strokes, and gold lines. Style D curls the white material into a spiral, while style E opposes a large light section to a jagged black mass.
Is the texture really raised?
Yes. The oil paint is applied in thick layers, creating real reliefs on the canvas surface: ridges, granulations, and irregular edges evoke the foam of a wave. This is not a printed effect or a photograph of a texture, but hand-painted material that is perceptible to both touch and sight. The exact intensity of the relief may vary slightly from one canvas to another, as each work is created individually to order. Grazing light highlights this volume particularly well.
What sizes are available?
Undulating Abstraction is available in fifteen vertical sizes: 40 x 60, 50 x 70, 60 x 90, 70 x 100, 80 x 120, 80 x 140, 90 x 130, 90 x 150, 100 x 160, 100 x 180, 110 x 170, 120 x 180, 130 x 180, 140 x 200, and 150 x 220 cm. Small sizes are suitable for a hallway, bedroom, or office, while large XXL sizes become the centerpiece of a living room, spacious entryway, or a wall under a high ceiling. If none of these dimensions match your wall, a custom size is possible upon request.
Is the canvas delivered with a frame?
No, the canvas is delivered without a frame or stretcher bar. This choice gives you complete freedom for the final presentation: you can have it mounted on a stretcher for a gallery-style, sleek, and contemporary look, or surround it with a black or gold floating frame, as shown in some of our staging photos. A professional framer can advise you based on the chosen size. Please factor this detail into your project, as the canvas must be stretched or framed before being hung on the wall.
Can I order a custom dimension?
Yes, a custom dimension is possible. This is the ideal option if you want to cover a specific wall section, an alcove, a space between two doors, or a specific ceiling height. Since each canvas is painted on demand, the artist can adapt the composition to the format you specify while maintaining the spirit of the chosen style. For any custom size request, contact us before placing your order with the desired style and exact dimensions so we can assist you.
Why is the lead time longer than for a standard item?
Because your canvas is not taken from a stock: it is hand-painted upon request after your order is placed. This method guarantees a unique work, created specifically for you, but it involves the time required for painting and the subsequent drying of the oil, which is slower than other paints, especially when the material is thick. Only then can the canvas be prepared for shipping. If you have an important date in mind, do not hesitate to contact us before ordering.
Where should I hang Undulating Abstraction?
Its black and white contrast allows it to adapt to many spaces. In an entryway or hallway, a vertical format creates a spectacular welcoming effect, as shown in our photos. Above a sofa, a large format structures the entire living room. In an office, it adds dynamism without overcrowding. It pairs particularly well with contemporary interiors: grey or white walls, mineral floors, black furniture, leather, and metal. The styles with gold lines also blend very well with brass and dark wood.
