David Hockney 2 paintings

Portrait of Nick Wilder is one of the finest of the famous series of California pool paintings that first established Hockney’s international status in the mid – 1960’s. This picture shows that there was a constant exploration of the relationship between painting and photography. The image seems to be flat because the artist has avoided using shadows on the portrait deliberately to emphasize the effect of the strong sunlight and the flat geometry of the scenery.

Hockney has used horizontal lines which extends across the whole image area to define the framing edge. The painting looks as if it is based on a single photograph as Hockney has recorded the image in great detail. Hockney is pointing out that this image is carefully constructed to coordinate patterns of form. The use of close ups makes the viewer feel near to the character in this picture. The artist has created darkness across the background with pin points of light which focus our attention to the character in the swimming pool.

The mood of the work is reinforced by the palette of colours Hockney has used in this picture. The blues and greens dominate the picture which creates a balanced atmosphere. The picture gives an impression of sunlight reflecting against the water in this picture which shows that Hockney studied the real light effects out in the open air. On the whole this image has a certain calmness feel due to the way Hockney has represented his style and technique of the less of the bold colours which suit this particular image. ‘The Salesman by David Hockney’

Painted in 1963, David Hockney’s The Salesman is an in-between painting, reflecting the many combined influences that flavoured his early work. In The Salesman, these various elements are manipulated to create various effects. This creates an interesting play of textures and colour, with the main character of the work appearing almost weak by contrast. The salesman seems to be an anonymous character that seems to fade in similarity to the background, is however shown by his personality and dignity by his profile view.

He appears to be engaged in a process by the custom of his own life. I think that the artist is trying to make the salesmen image a suspicious type hence the usual type of colours and patterns used to blend in the character with the background. This type of format keeps the picture straight forward scene of the salesmen in action and also it causes the image seem to be flat because Hockney has used a basic line structure to define the edge of the objects. The use of simplicity of colours makes us feel close to the character in this picture.

The artist has used bold colours to emphasis the background along with the character of the salesmen. The materials used in this picture create a powerful effect which expresses how Hockney came to make this image. However Hockney hasn’t recorded this image in great detail as expected, which in a way makes him explore the way he uses his technique in his paintings. The picture gives an impression of a typical character of a salesman. The mood of the work is reinforced by the palette of colours which has a certain quality because of the clashing colours and the shape arrangement at different angles.