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Sunset Painting: Discover the Beauty of Nature Through Art

  • 4 min read

Sunset Painting: Discover the Beauty of Nature Through Art

Above: Detail from the John Dyer painting 'Tropical Trebah Garden Sunset' which is available as an Open Edition Print.

We all love a sunset the world over and will often go out of our way to watch one and try to capture it in a photograph. Likewise, painters love to paint the setting sun and try to capture that fleeting moment when so many beautiful colours are literally thrown into the sky.

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“There is nothing more musical than a sunset.”

Claude Debussy

 

 

Above: 'African Flamingo Sunset, Kenya', 12x12 inches acrylic on canvas. Paintings of Africa by British Artist John Dyer.

Cornwall, especially the north coast, has the most spectacular sunsets, and artists John Dyer, Joanne Short and Ted Dyer have watched and painted many.

 

Above: 'Spring Sunset, Fowey'. Limited Edition Print by Cornish Artist Joanne Short

This print captures the beauty of Spring with its bright daffodils bursting with colour, reminding us of what lies ahead. The sun setting in the background creates a picturesque evening sky of light blue and oranges, setting the scene for a perfect spring evening, watching the boats bobbing on their moorings.

 

"Purchasing a sunset painting or print is the perfect way for someone to take home and cherish a certain moment in time spent on their holiday in Cornwall, watching the sun go down."

John Dyer

John Dyer. and Joanne Short, Falmouth sunset 

Above: photograph of John Dyer and Joanne Short watching a sunset in Falmouth

 Ted Dyer Fine Art Print. Open Edition Cornish Art Print. 'Summer Evening Sunset, Falmouth Harbour'. Cornwall Art Gallery

Above: 'Summer Evening, Falmouth Harbour' by artist Ted Dyer, open edition print

"Over the years, my father has painted the most amazing skies. I particularly like the painting above, which is available as a print. It is of our home town of Falmouth, where we have our house and have lived as a family for many years - it evokes memories of watching the evening sailing and having picnics on the shore together." John Dyer

John Dyer and Joanne Short, St Ives sunset 

Above: Photograph of John Dyer and Joanne Short watching the sunset in St Ives

Above: Limited Edition Print by Cornish Artist John Dyer. 'Sunset Paddleboarding at the Mount'

This limited edition print of Cornwall, signed by John Dyer, depicts the colours of the sunset beautifully, with its oranges and pinks blending into purple. The artwork portrays the calm waters of Mount's Bay and features various elements such as paddleboarders, fishing boats, dinghies, swimmers, seals, dogs, and seagulls. The painting is expressive in terms of colours, marks, and forms, making it an outstanding piece of Cornish art. It captures the warmth and lively atmosphere of summer perfectly.

Why We Love a Sunset

It is a fact that many people travel for miles to seek out a sunset.

A team of researchers at the University of Exeter explored the mental health benefits of natural phenomena like sunrise and sunset.

“Our research indicates that getting up a bit earlier for sunrise or timing a walk to catch sunset could be well worth the effort — the ‘wow’ factor associated with these encounters might unlock small but significant bumps in feelings of beauty and awe, which could, in turn, have positive impacts for mental wellbeing.”

Smalley, A. J., & White, M. P. (2023)

 

 

"research indicates that feeling a sense of awe can improve mood, enhance positive social behaviour, and increase positive emotions, all of which have a positive impact on health and wellbeing."

CMA - Complimentary Medical Association

 Joanne Short, sunset at Mawgan Porth, photograph

Above: Photograph of Joanne Short at Mawgan Porth, Cornwall

 

"I can't explain why I am so drawn to watching the sun setting, especially over the sea, but it is something I have loved all my life. The changing colours of the sky and the warm palette it creates always makes me want to capture it in paint." Joanne Short

 

Famous Sunset Paintings

Historically many famous artists have painted sunsets including Claude Monet, JMW Turner, American artists Thomas Moran and Winslow Homer and more. Below are a few examples of these artists' sunset works, which all conjure up feelings of romance and magic.

Aside from one of the world's most famous sunset paintings, 'The Fighting Temeraire', as she was tugged to her last berth, painter JMW Turner painted a spectacular collection of sunset paintings of the ocean in both oil and watercolour.

'The Scarlet Sunset', Watercolour and gouache on paper, JMW Turner 

Above: 'The Scarlet Sunset', Watercolour and gouache on paper, JMW Turner

 

'Venice; Grand Canal at Sunset' Thomas Moran 

Above: 'Venice; Grand Canal at Sunset' Thomas Moran (American 1837-1926)

 

 

'Sunset'. c.1875, Winslow Homer 

Above: 'Sunset'. c.1875, Winslow Homer

 

'Sunset at Scheveningen: A Fleet of Fishing Vessels at Anchor' 1894, by Hendrik Willem Mesdag

Above: 'Sunset at Scheveningen: A Fleet of Fishing Vessels at Anchor' 1894, by Hendrik Willem Mesdag

 

Above: Claude Monet - Le Parlement, soleil couchant

Sunset Paintings and Prints for Art Lovers at the John Dyer Gallery

Above: 'Sweeping Hillside of Sunflowers, Holywell Bay', 12x12 inches oil on canvas. Cornwall Art Gallery Painting by Cornish Artist Joanne Short

If you are looking for a painting or print of a sunset, The John Dyer Gallery has plenty to choose from. We have many sunset artworks for sale and for you to browse.

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Have you seen some art in this article you are considering purchasing?

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We look forward to hearing from you.

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