David's iPad Art

Artist: David Hockney
Born: July 9, 1937
Birthplace: Bradford, Britain
Best known as: British pop artist

After his primary and secondary education in an industrial city in the north of Britain, David Hockney studied at the Royal College of Art in London.

There he mixed with students who introduced Brit Pop Art to the world. This was a youth art movement that allowed art to be appreciated by ordinary people, not just art-lovers. Hockey has always said he paints for people who would never go to an art gallery to look at a work of art.

Californian light

Hockney moved to California from London because of the pure natural light he could use every day when painting outdoor scenes.

In California, he painted a swimming pool series using acrylic rather than oil paint. Over the years, these have become his signature works.

A Hockney painting shouts vivid colours, light, bold shapes and instant recognition. Now in his 70s, Hockney has moved back to the north of Britain, where he still paints stunning still lifes and colourful landscapes.

Phone art

Hockney is a restless artist, never wanting his art to stand still. Recently, he has discovered a whole new way to paint that he believes will change the history of art. Hockney has discovered the iPad. He first explored the visual possibilities of the iPhone in 2008, experimenting with an app called Brushes. He found flowers were an ideal subject for painting with the device. Once he became used to the new techniques, Hockney once again astounded the art world with his creativity.

iPad art

Last year, Hockney got his first iPad and was immediately excited by its size and possibilities. One of the iPad's features is a backlight, which gives Hockney's paintings a new luminous dimension.

Mostly using his fingers, Hockney paints vibrant still lifes on his iPad screen. He used to carry a sketch book around in a big pocket in his coat, but now that pocket holds an iPad.

Hockney believes the combination of Brushes and iPad has a long-term future in art. His own move over to technology has already produced amazing art, and this is just the beginning. Where will this controversial and inventive artist go next with the iPad?

It's a Hockney

Complete these sentences about David Hockney with the correct word or phrase.

1 David Hockney is a (classic / contemporary) English artist.

2 He was part of the Brit Pop Art (scene / canvas) in London in the 1950s.

3 For many years, Hockney painted in California because of the long hours of natural (daylight / cloud).

4 Hockney uses vivid (landscapes / colours) in his painting.

5 He has recently begun painting with an (iPhone / iPad).

6 He uses an application called ('Canvas' / 'Brushes').

7 Hockney loves the (light / composition) this new medium gives him.

You can see some of Hockney's iPad paintings at: www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/ 8066826/David-Hockney-iPad-art-in-pictures.html

Answers:

1. contemporary, 2. scene, 3. daylight, 4. colours, 5. iPad, 6. 'Brushes', 7. light