David Hockney

The David Hockney exhibition 'a Bigger Picture' is on at the RA from jan 21 - apr 9th. If you get a chance over easter to visit London, definitely go.

Honestly i think its one of the best exhibitions i have ever seen, purely because of the profilic way Hockney works. His addiction to detailing the landscape and analysing it through paint is incredible. He studied at the Royal College of Art in 1959 - 62, moved to Los Angeles for a period of time, and settled back to his Yorkshire roots in stints as well. He focuses on representation of space, seasonal changes, representing the natural world and pictorial space. He uses a lot of 'artistic licence' within his work and often has worked from memory within the studio, as well as observation in the landscape.

You cannot question whether or not Hockney knows the Yorkshire landscape well, because its clear from the sheer amount of work he has produced. That he has literally devoted his entire career to explaining it to the viewer through paint. I admire his colour palette and style, for a relatively 'old' painter he works in incredibly modern ways, the vibrant colour is placed almost 'haphazardly' on the canvas. In some instances almost childlike.

In recent times he has begun using his ipad as a drawing tool, and has dispersed with his sketckbook for the timebeing, i personally am not sure what to make of this. Will this be the future for all artists?.......

I admire the fact that he creates his own work and doesnt subcontract his work out. He also still owns a vast amount of his own work. I think this proves hes genuine.........not really it in for the money, its a true devotion.