David Hockney: Drawing from Life - (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Celebrating more than 60 years of intimate portraiture by David Hockney

Published to accompany a major international exhibition, David Hockney: Drawing from Life features Hockney's drawings from the 1950s to the present day, and focuses on his depictions of himself and a small group of sitters close to him: his muse, Celia Birtwell; his mother, Laura Hockney; and his friends, the curator, Gregory Evans, and master printer, Maurice Payne. In his portrait drawings of these figures, Hockney tries out new stylistic experiments and expresses his admiration for his artistic predecessors, from Holbein to Picasso.

Featuring 150 beautifully reproduced works from public and private collections across the world, this publication traces the trajectory of Hockney's drawing practice by examining how he has revisited these five figures throughout his career. Highlights include a series of new portraits, colored pencil drawings created in Paris in the early 1970s, composite Polaroid portraits from the 1980s and a selection of drawings from an intense period of self-scrutiny during the 1980s when the artist created a self-portrait every day for two months.

David Hockney (born 1937) is considered one of the most celebrated British contemporary artists. Hockney studied at the Bradford School of Art and the Royal College of Art with R.B. Kitaj, Allen Jones and Derek Boshier. Graduating with a gold medal, he became a leading figure in pop art. His work encompasses drawing, painting, printmaking, photography and stage design.

Review Quotes

Returning to the same subjects throughout his life, Hockney shows us how to capture someone's essence on canvas.--Jo Lawson-Tancred "Artnet"

as intimate as it gets, and barely a swimming pool in sight--Robin Simon "Daily Mail"

as intimate as it gets, and barely a swimming pool in sight.--Alastair Sooke "Telegraph"

David Hockney: Drawing from Life, celebrates more than 60 years of the revered artist's intimate portraiture with texts by Sarah Howgate and Isabel Seligman. Featuring drawings from the 1950s to the present day, the book is a fascinating window into the artist's creative development and to his personal life, focusing on depictions of himself and those close to him.--Pheobe Gardner "Wallpaper*"

Derives its poignant power from its loved ones and the complex nature of relationships.--Roberta Smith "New York Times"

David Hockney: Drawing From Life [...] is about loved ones and the complex, constantly morphing nature of relationships and the people who forge them. [...] It shows the artist working, as usual, full steam ahead, in different scales and in about a dozen forms of drawing (pencil, ink, charcoal and so on) and printmaking (lithography, etchings and etchings with aquatint) as well as with composite Polaroids and an iPad. It is beyond ample as a showcase for Mr. Hockney's towering drawing gifts, openness to new technologies and his incessant work ethic...--Roberta Smith "New York Times"

Hockney has always been a confidant draughtsman. Like most young artists, his subjects were himself, those close to him, and his immediate surroundings; domestic interiors and the local landscape. These interests have remained with him throughout his working life; he still draws on every available piece of paper and his creative mind never rests.--Nicholas Cullinan "Esquire"

Over the course of 150 pieces, Drawing From Life draws us into Hockney's closest circle.--Jadie Stillwell "Interview"

The octogenarian artist is making the most of uncertain times with a newly released book showcasing portraits of his family and dearest friends.--Janelle Zara "Architectural Digest"

A stunning overview of [Hockney's] drawings from the late 1950s to the present day.--Ken Scrudato "Blackbook"

A touching, intimate look at one of the nation's best artists.--Eddy Frankel "Time Out London"

David Hockney Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery Shines Light on an Artist's Life--Chris Jenkins "Arts and Collections"

The artist's dearest friends and family are the focus of an unusual and unmissable retrospective of works on paper--Jackie Wullschläger "Financial Times"

The story of an artist in evolution.--Tabish Khan "Londonist"

From joyful sketches of old friends to a nude meeting with Picasso - when Hockney wields his pencil we see the undisguised truth--Jonathan Jones "Guardian"

The history of Hockney and his lifelong life-drawing itch, pursued now over seven decades.--Michael Glover "Hyperallergic"