Brightligsea (No. 2) by James McBey (1883-1959) is an etching that captures a coastline scene of dingies on a shoreline with a crowd of people resting along the shoreline. Ships are seen on the horizon line, with more dingies surrounding them. The scene is captured by McBey in fine lines, curving to capture the natural elements such as the people and edges of the water. Where shading is needed, McBey has used only a few, thick lines to convey a slight sense of depth. The gentle lines and soft precision capture the scene with a light quality. 

McBey was a prominent etcher, often focusing on subjects from his travels. Characteristic of much of his work with etching is the soft, precise lines he uses to capture a scene that brought him to popularity, which peaked around when this etching was made. 

James McBey, 1883-1959

Born in Newburgh, on the Aberdeenshire coast, McBey was largely self-taught, although he had attended evening classes at Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen. He moved to London in 1911, and held his first exhibition of etchings at Goupil's; this was followed by a show in Glasgow in 1912 and one in Edinburgh in 1913. He gained considerable reputation as an etcher and painter, his subject-matter inspired by his many travels to Spain, Morocco, Venice and America. He was, from 1916 to 1918, an Official War Artist on the western Front in France, in Egypt and in Palestine.