David Hockney’s iPad Art

By | January 17, 2015
David Hockney's iPad Series

Nowadays you can sometimes tell where David Hockney’s iPad Art is, what the weather is doing, and possibly what kind of mood he is in. Not from words, mind you, but from pictures that regularly show up in some of his close friends inbox, pictures the artist has created on his iPad using an app called Brushes. Last year, when the paintings were of pine trees, mountain peaks and steep slopes, I could tell instantly that he had been at Yosemite National Park.


 

Using the David Hockney’s iPad Art like a sketchbook

David Hockney's iPad Art
David Hockney’s iPad Art

He says my iPad is like a sketchbook, it means I have everything with me all the time that I need to produce the art.” He likes to record his surroundings, views from a window, the shelf in the bathroom, many landscapes that he visits, his pet, and even his friends, just about anything that may catch his eye, this results in what he calls a visual diary of sorts.


 

A little David Hockney’s iPad Art history

Hockney has produced his work in lots of different styles and different media for more than five decades. In the 60s, he gained international fame with his funny and cool paintings of Los Angeles life. However, these paintings were more personal than typical Pop art. Transitioning to the 1970s and 1980s, he excelled in producing superb productions for Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera. Meanwhile, he delved into creating photo collages and pioneering work with early computer drawing programs. Additionally, he explored new devices like the facsimile machine.

David Hockney Art

When Hockney first started, he produced artwork on his iPhone. However, he soon found working with just one finger awkward. He had to practice for several months before he could produce free and fresh marvelous new pieces. He adapted to the iPad even quicker. The iPad, being 8 times bigger than the iPhone, allowed him to be able to use all of his fingers. He has since begun working with a stylus. His iPhone art was pretty broad and loose. However, the iPad art has reached a different level, much more polished.


 

The most unusual thing is?

But maybe it’s the way that Hockney sends out his art that is the most unusual thing about them and not the art pieces themselves. As an original Hockney painting would cost tens of thousands, even millions of dollars. But he freely distributes his drawings digitally to close friends, he allows them to forward the art as they wish.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *