What is Seascape Art?
Seascape art celebrates the beauty, power, and atmosphere of the sea. Broadly defined, it refers to any landscape painting in which the ocean or coastline forms the central focus. Seascapes may depict wide horizons, fishing boats, lighthouses, beaches, or cliffs — all capturing the ever-changing moods of the sea.
Throughout art history, seascape paintings have ranged from the literal to the abstract. Artists such as Alfred Wallis painted with a bold, primitive directness, evoking the rhythm of the tides and the life of Cornish fishing harbours. In contrast, Peter Lanyon approached the sea as an abstract experience, using colour and form to express flight, wind, and motion across the cliffs of West Cornwall.
In Cornwall, where the light and coastline are so distinctive, many painters have interpreted seascapes through a realist lens. Artists like Lamorna Birch and Stanhope Forbes captured the moods of the ocean with exquisite sensitivity, painting working harbours, rough seas, and moments of calm reflection along the Cornish shore.
Ted Dyer and the Art of the Cornish Seascape
Seascape paintings often create a sense of peace and balance, qualities that define the work of Ted Dyer. Over his distinguished sixty-year career, Ted Dyer has become one of Cornwall’s most admired landscape and seascape artists. His oil paintings capture the beauty of Cornwall’s coastline — tranquil coves, sunlit harbours, and gentle waves rolling onto sandy beaches.
His use of light and soft colour conveys the unique atmosphere of the Cornish coast. Each canvas evokes a deep connection with place, and his paintings are now highly collectable works of British art, treasured by collectors worldwide.
The Newlyn School and the Tradition of Cornish Seascape Painting
The Newlyn School of Painting, active from the late nineteenth century, played a defining role in British seascape art. Artists such as Stanhope Forbes, Lamorna Birch, and Norman Garstin were inspired by the daily life of Cornish fishing communities. They painted realistic coastal scenes — boats drawn up on the beach, fishermen hauling nets, and the shimmering light across wet sand.
Norman Garstin’s celebrated painting The Rain It Raineth Every Day captures figures walking along Penzance promenade beneath grey skies, a poignant image of Cornish weather and resilience.
Today, original Newlyn School works can be viewed at Tate St Ives, Penlee House Gallery & Museum, and Falmouth Art Gallery, where their timeless depictions of sea and community continue to inspire.
Where Do Artists Paint in Cornwall?
Cornwall’s extraordinary light and coastline have drawn artists for generations. Popular places to paint include Newlyn, St Ives, Penzance, and Falmouth, each offering a different view of the sea. The county’s luminous atmosphere and reflective beaches make it a paradise for seascape painters.
Cornwall’s artists have long celebrated its beauty, from dramatic cliffs to sheltered harbours. The light over St Ives Bay, reflected from golden sand and turquoise sea, has made it one of the most famous painting locations in the world.
John Dyer
John Dyer is one of Cornwall’s best-loved contemporary artists and a leading British seascape painter. His vibrant acrylic paintings are filled with life, colour, and energy, celebrating people enjoying Cornwall’s beaches, sailing boats in harbour, and the wildlife of the coast.
Each of John’s paintings captures a sense of joy and connection with nature. His seascapes radiate warmth and optimism, reflecting the happiness of holidays and the magic of the Cornish landscape. Collectors value his work for its bold design and unmistakable style, making his paintings among the most recognisable in modern Cornish art.
Joanne Short
Joanne Short is a contemporary Cornish artist whose oil paintings combine strong composition with a delicate sense of light. Her seascapes often feature flowers growing on the cliffs above sunlit bays, where blue seas meet green headlands.
Her use of colour is distinctive — clear, clean tones that convey a sense of calm and harmony. Each painting evokes the essence of a perfect Cornish day, offering collectors the chance to bring the spirit of the coast into their homes.
The St Ives School of Painting
Founded in 1938, the St Ives School of Painting became another focal point for artists inspired by the sea. Painters such as Terry Frost, Patrick Heron, Barbara Hepworth, and Ben Nicholson transformed the influence of the coast into abstract form. Their paintings often use geometry, colour, and rhythm to suggest the movement of waves and wind.
Later artists, including Fred Yates and Bryan Pearce, continued this legacy, painting vivid, imaginative views of St Ives, its beaches, and harbours. Their work captures the essence of Cornish life and continues to influence a new generation of artists across the region. John Dyer is an official tutor at the St Ives School of Painting in St Ives.
Discover and Collect Cornish Seascape Paintings
Cornwall’s seascape art has a beauty and vitality that continues to enchant collectors. The John Dyer Gallery proudly represents three of Cornwall’s most celebrated contemporary artists — John Dyer, Joanne Short, and Ted Dyer.
Explore our collection of seascape paintings, limited edition prints, and art posters to discover how each artist interprets Cornwall’s coastline in a distinctive and uplifting way. Every piece is available to buy online with free worldwide delivery.
