Slow Heat

James Tottman
120 x 100 cm
Oil on canvas
2026
 
‘Before the light fades’ is a series that focuses on the fleeting moments in life. The small, unremarkable memories that stay with us long after the day has passed, but don't often make the headlines. In a world of hyperbolic media and endless dramas, these paintings focus instead on simplicity: the subtle sensations, the momentary pauses, and the times when we simply exist.

James Tottman @jamestottman.art (b.1986) is a British artist best known for his figurative oil paintings with distinctive flowing lines. Born in Watford, England, he studied Animation before working as a Visual Effects Artist on major film productions, including Harry Potter and Wrath of the Titans. After relocating to Finland in 2013, he joined Remedy Entertainment, where his work deepened his interest in Surrealism and expanded his artistic language.
 
Returning to painting during the Covid-19 lockdowns, Tottman later embraced oil painting following the profound influence of Edvard Munch’s work. Today, his practice centres on the fleeting moments of joy that shape everyday life, translating them into luminous figurative compositions defined by flowing lines, natural light, and a strong sense of human presence.