Perpetual Dusk

Sunset on the Northumberland coast of England. In the summer the sun sets in the north west behind the dunes at Druridge Bay. At the end of a long day drawing, painting and exploring the dunes and beach the colours suddenly change. The greens and ochres of the marram grass become dark, the sand, its surface made hilly by footprints of people and their dogs, reflects the different colours of the sky. An offshore wind picks up as the land cools rapidly down and low clouds form above the sea. The shadow of the earth begins to emerge from the horizon opposite the sun, the tide turns from its height, waves begin to quieten down as if the sea were getting ready for bed. As the offshore wind picks up the sea surface stops reflecting like a mirror and the contrast between the grey-blue of the sea and the pinks and purples of the sky at the horizon can be dramatic. For me this moment is eternal, a perpetual dusk in memory, even though it lasts only 10 to 15 minutes by the clock face.

$1609

About the artist

Lionel Playford

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I am a painter of northern landscapes and of the sea. I'm an established artist in the north of England but I'm also known more widely with for example my TV participation in the SKY Portrait Artist of the Year competition.