Lockdown Art Challenge - Find out about... David Hockney!

David Hockney is one of the most important painters of the 20th century and is very famous. He was born in Bradford in 1937 and was one of the big artists involved in the pop art movement in the 1960s. Pop art was a style of art that was bright, full of colour. It was made by lots of young artists who felt that the art they saw in galleries was a little bit boring!

Hockney lives in London, but owns two other homes in California.  His work varies, because California and the UK are very different places. California is usually always sunny, where as in England the weather changes all the time. So, when painting in England, Hockney likes to paint the seasons. In ‘North Yorkshire’, Hockney has painted a canvas of the landscape in Yorkshire, where he was brought up. Do you like the pop of orange in this painting?

David Hockney North Yorkshire 1997 © David Hockney 

His Californian paintings are colourful and bold. In his very well-known painting, ‘A Bigger Splash’, Hockney paints a swimming pool. It looks like someone has just jumped into the water. The blue is so bright that you want to get on the diving board and jump in too. And look at how tall those palm trees are! 

David Hockney 'A Bigger Splash' 1967 oil on canvas, 242-243 cm. London, Tate Gallery
www.tate.org.uk © David Hockney

Hockney doesn't just paint landscapes, he also paints portraits, lots of Hockney’s work involves painting people he loves. This is usually pairs of people. ‘My Parents’ is a painting of his mum and dad and is probably one of his most famous. Look at how he illustrates their personalities. His mother sits upright and attentive, while his father is absorbed in his paper and seems a little bit on the edge of his seat. It’s like Hockney has captured how he feels about his parents in a painting that will last forever.

David Hockney 

My Parents 1977 Tate © David Hockney

David Hockney is now an old man but he hasn’t stopped making pictures.  In fact, nowadays he often uses his iPhone, iPad and computer to create digital art! 

No. 274’, 21st July 2010 — an iPad painting by David Hockney  © DAVID HOCKNEY

Untitled 161 2009 - an Iphone Painting by David Hockney © DAVID HOCKNEY 

Margaret Hockney 2008 - an inkjet printed computer drawing by David Hockney © DAVID HOCKNEY 

Home Learning Challenge- Just for fun!

Can you use an iPad/tablet/iPhone/chrome book or laptop to draw something inspired by Hockney? There are many good (and free) drawing apps available.  Perhaps you could draw the view from your window or some members of your family during lockdown? Maybe you could have a go at a self portrait? Try and make your picture colourful like Hockney would.  

Remember to send your completed digital art into school so we can create an online gallery of your work.

Have fun art fans!!

PS. You can test your Hockney knowledge by trying the quiz here.