Above: Cornish landscape artist John Dyer pictured at Godrevy lighthouse in the 1990s
Cornwall’s stunning coastline and captivating light have long been a source of inspiration for artists. The region’s unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage has birthed a rich tradition of Cornish landscape painting, celebrated worldwide for its vibrant colours, dramatic seascapes, and profound connection to the natural world. This article highlights some of the most influential Cornwall landscape artists featured on johndyergallery.com, each offering a unique perspective on Cornwall’s breathtaking landscapes. These artists are renowned for their original art, which captures the authentic essence of the Cornish landscape.
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The Essence of Cornish Landscape Paintings and Prints
Cornish landscape painting is known for its emphasis on light, mood, and the ever-changing environment. Artists such as the historic St Ives painter Peter Lanyon (8 February 1918 – 31 August 1964) have captured the spirit of Cornwall with a distinctive style that combines abstraction and realism, reflecting the dynamic relationship between the land, sea, and sky.
Peter Lanyon was a prominent artist from St Ives, Cornwall, known for his innovative approach to landscape painting that blended abstraction with a deep sense of place. Born in 1918, Lanyon was heavily influenced by the rugged landscapes of Cornwall and the community of artists that developed in St Ives. His work was shaped by his studies under notable artists like Ben Nicholson and Naum Gabo, as well as his involvement with the Crypt Group and the Penwith Society of Arts.
Above: Coast, 1953, Peter Lanyon, © The estate of Peter Lanyon
Beginning in 1959, he took up gliding to gain a new understanding of the land, allowing him to capture aerial views and the dynamic, ever-changing nature of the environment in his paintings. His passion for gliding further enriched Lanyon's unique perspective on the Cornish landscape. This experience profoundly influenced his work, leading to a series of paintings that depict the Cornish coast from a bird's-eye view, reflecting his innovative approach to capturing the essence of his surroundings.
Above: Zennor Storm,1958, by Peter Lanyon, © The estate of Peter Lanyon
This genre of art often features mediums like oil paintings, charcoal drawings, and watercolours, each adding depth and texture to the depictions of Cornwall’s natural world.
Influential Cornish Landscape Painters at Johndyergallery.com
Johndyergallery.com showcases a diverse range of Cornwall landscape artists, each bringing a unique approach to capturing the beauty of the region on canvas. Let's explore some of these artists and their contributions to the world of Cornish landscape art.
1. John Dyer: The Vibrant Colours of Cornwall
Above: John Dyer at the Borlase Smart studio, St Ives, with his painting of St Michael's Mount
John Dyer is one of Cornwall’s most well-known landscape artists, renowned for his use of vibrant colours and expressive brushwork. His work captures the joyous spirit of Cornwall, particularly the Cornish coast and areas like Mounts Bay and West Penwith.
Above: 'Colourful Clifftop at Wheal Coates, St Agnes', 24x24 inches acrylic on canvas by John Dyer
John Dyer’s original paintings often reflect the lively atmosphere of Cornwall’s beaches, the bustling life of its towns, and the tranquil beauty of its countryside. His paintings are characterised by a bright, optimistic palette and a dynamic sense of movement, celebrating the essence of Cornwall’s landscape. John Dyer's work is a true representation of original art, inspired by the local landscapes and his personal connection to Cornwall.
2. Joanne Short: Capturing the Light and Mood of Cornwall
Above: Joanne Short withy her paintings at an exhibition in St Ives
Joanne Short, another prominent Cornish landscape artist featured on johndyergallery.com, focuses on the play of light across Cornwall's varied terrains. Her paintings are known for their flat colour and intricate compositions that draw viewers into a serene and contemplative space.
Above: 'Seaside View from Gyllyngdune Gardens, Falmouth', 30x30 inches oil on canvas. Painting by Cornish Artist Joanne Short
Short’s work often features iconic Cornish locations like St Ives, capturing the delicate interplay of light and colour on the sea and shore. Her use of colour and composition provides a modern twist on traditional Cornish landscape painting, making her art both timeless and contemporary.
3. Ted Dyer: A Master of Mood and Atmosphere
Above: Artist Ted Dyer with one of his Cornish oil paintings in his studio
Ted Dyer is celebrated for his ability to convey the mood and atmosphere of Cornwall in his oil paintings. His work often depicts tranquil scenes of the Cornish coast and countryside, focusing on the subtle changes in light and colour throughout the day.
Above: Late Summer, North Cliffs, Cornwall. By British Artist Ted Dyer
Ted Dyer’s paintings are marked by their delicate brushwork and nuanced palettes, which reflect the quiet beauty and introspective quality of Cornwall's landscapes. His original artworks have been exhibited extensively and are held in many private collections worldwide.
Artists meeting artists
Tony Giles (1925 – 1994)
Above: Tony Giles original acrylic painting of Cornwall
While living near Taunton, Somerset Ted Dyer met and befriended artist Tony Giles. During this time Tony and his wife, Hilary, came to visit Ted and his wife Viv for an evening meal and when it was all ready to eat she came into the room they were in only to find that Tony had decided to paint using Ted’s studio and the view through to the living room with its open fire and couldn’t be disturbed ! The painting took Tony approximately 2 - 3 hours to paint in his inimitable style. This meant that the meal had to be kept for quite a long time, plenty of time to consume another glass or two of wine.
They remained in contact mostly in Cornwall where Tony was living in St Agnes as Ted and his family had moved there in 1972.
Ted is a great admirer of Tony’s paintings and when he had one of his exhibitions in St Ives he couldn’t resist buying another of Tony’s paintings to add to his collection. But his favourite painting has to be the one of his studio in Somerset.
Above: 'Ted's Studio', oil on canvas by Tony Giles, 24th October 1970, The Glebe, Creech St Michael, Taunton, Somerset
Tony Giles was the son of a train driver and born in a railway cottage near Taunton Station in Somerset, artist Tony Giles had a lifelong connection and interest in trains and railways. As a youngster, he would travel down to Penzance on the train, often in front of the leading carriage. This kindled a love of Cornwall where he happily relocated with his wife Hilary in 1961.
Such was his passion for trains that he built a gauge 1 model railway in his garden in St Agnes with tunnels and viaducts. He was a compulsive painter and painted predominantly industrial Cornish landscapes linked to the mining and clay industries of the area - railway lines, viaducts alongside chapels, Cornish mine shafts and engine houses.
Fred Yates (1822-2008)
Above: John Dyer at an exhibition of Fred Yates paintings at Penlee House
Born in Manchester in 1922 artist Fred Yates was originally inspired by the paintings of LS Lowry and his industrial-style paintings of people going about their business. He gave up his profession as a teacher in 1969 and moved to Cornwall, dedicating his time to painting. Working outdoors he painted landscapes, clifftop and beach scenes and general scenes of local village life around the Cornish coast. He used rough boards and household paint initially, moving on to thick impasto oils, many of which took several weeks to dry.
Above: Artist Fred Yates pictured painting a watercolour of Falmouth harbour in 1990. Photograph by artist John Dyer.
During his time at art college, John wrote his dissertation on Fred Yates and met him several times. John remembers him delivering paintings to his first first Falmouth art gallery the same day he’d painted them, leaving a trail of oil paint on the carpet as he walked across the room.
"Fred Yates was an extraordinary painter, a true master at capturing moments in time and distilling the joy and essence of his subjects into rich, vibrant oil colours. I had the privilege of spending time with Fred in the late 1980s and early 1990s and was constantly amazed by how he connected with his subjects through paint. Though he was a man of few words with a somewhat gruff exterior, his true nature was nurturing and generous. He was selective about where he exhibited his work, always preferring to support others rather than seek the spotlight. If he liked you, he might choose to exhibit alongside you or even gift you a painting! Watching him create his impasto paintings on my kitchen table in the gallery was extraordinary, and witnessing how he rescued a delicate watercolour (as seen in the photograph above) after accidentally spilling dirty water across it was a true lesson in artistry."
John Dyer.
Jack Pender (1918-1998)
Above: Original painting on board by Jack Pender that uses the forms of boats in Mousehole harbour and the gap of the harbour entrance set against the blue sky, horizon and waves of the sea to create an abstracted composition. 48 x 48 inches.
The son of a fisherman, Jack Pender was born in the fishing village of Mousehole in 1918 and lived there for most of his life. As an artist, he was influenced by his grandfather who had started painting when he retired. Pender started his studies at Penzance School of Art, alongside Peter Lanyon, breaking off during the war, studying art in Athens during his posting and attending both Exeter and then the West of England College of Art. Jack Pender taught art for several years in Plymouth, returning to his beloved Mousehole in Cornwall in 1956. He continued to teach in a secondary school in Penzance for many years whilst painting town and seascapes around the area, but especially in and around Mousehole.
One of the first paintings I bought was a large Jack Pender piece at an auction in Penzance in 1992. I was immediately drawn to its size and composition. That same afternoon, I received a call from a gallery to let me know I had just made my first ever sale—a print of my own work! Since then, I’ve always had a special fondness for the Jack Pender painting, which now hangs proudly in my studio. Later that year, I happened to run into Jack at the Ship Inn in Mousehole. We had a wonderful conversation about art, paintings, and art buyers—who, he told me, he always prayed for!"
Joanne Short
The Unique Appeal of Cornish Landscape Art
What sets Cornish landscape art apart is its deep connection to the environment and the natural world. The artists featured on The John Dyer Gallery are inspired by Cornwall's unique geography and climate, capturing its rugged beauty in a range of mediums. From oil paintings that convey the rich textures of the land to acrylic paintings that highlight the biodiversity of the region, each piece offers a new way to experience Cornwall’s landscapes.
In conclusion, Cornish landscape art offers a window into the breathtaking beauty of Cornwall, capturing the region’s unique light, vibrant colours, and dynamic environments. John Dyer, Ted Dyer and Joanne Short continue to inspire viewers with their passion for Cornwall’s landscapes, making their work a must-see for art lovers everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cornish landscape art?
Cornish landscape art refers to artworks inspired by the landscapes of Cornwall, a region in the UK known for its stunning coastal views, dramatic cliffs, and unique light. This genre includes a range of mediums such as oil paintings, charcoal drawings, and watercolours.
Who are some notable Cornish landscape artists?
Notable Cornish landscape artists include John Dyer, Joanne Short, and Ted Dyer, all of whom are featured on Johndyergallery.com. These artists are known for their unique styles and contributions to the Cornish landscape painting tradition.
Why is Cornwall a popular subject for landscape painting?
Cornwall's diverse landscapes, from rugged cliffs to serene beaches, along with its distinctive light and changing weather, make it an ideal subject for landscape painting. The region offers endless inspiration for artists seeking to capture the beauty and spirit of the natural world.
What mediums are commonly used in Cornish landscape paintings?
Common mediums in Cornish landscape paintings include oil painting, watercolours, and charcoal. These materials allow artists to capture the textures, light, and mood of Cornwall’s landscapes in a variety of ways.
Where can I purchase original Cornish landscape artworks?
Original paintings and prints by notable Cornish landscape artists can be purchased from Johndyergallery.com, which features a wide range of original art celebrating the beauty of Cornwall.
