Duane Wakeham (American B. 1931 - ) Late Afternoon on the Beach. This atmospheric and magical view of a single nude male figure on a California beach is imbued with lovely, unexpected colors and textures which rise up to a sky that is a pale shade of green. The blond young man has been sunbathing on a towel stretched along the sand, and seems to be placidly examining the viewer -- the painter -- from afar. The artist is Duane Wakeham, who is widely known and admired for his landscapes, often in pastels. However, he has also been interested in the nude, executing many drawings over the years that have been exhibited only rarely. So this painting is an early and important exception in his body of work. The painting is oil on canvas, and retains its original frame. It is signed in the lower righthand corner.