Painting like David Hockney is not about strict imitation, but rather about embracing his vivid use of color, experimental spirit, and personal view of the world. Known for his iconic poolside scenes, portraits, and digital art, Hockney’s style is deeply rooted in bold expression, modern composition, and a love for everyday life. If you want to explore how to paint like David Hockney, you need to understand his artistic evolution and the elements that make his work unique. Learning to channel your creativity through his approach can transform your own artistic voice.
Understanding David Hockney’s Artistic Style
The Use of Color
One of Hockney’s most striking features is his fearless use of color. He often employs rich blues, greens, oranges, and yellows that give his works a fresh, luminous quality. His colors do not always reflect reality, but rather the emotion and sensation of a scene. To paint like David Hockney, practice breaking away from realism and instead use colors to enhance mood and atmosphere.
Subject Matter
Hockney’s paintings frequently focus on subjects from daily life swimming pools, friends, landscapes, and interiors. He has a gift for turning ordinary settings into something extraordinary. When choosing subjects for your paintings, look around you. Your home, garden, friends, or neighborhood can all serve as inspiration. It’s not the subject that matters most, but how you portray it with color, light, and form.
Perspective and Composition
Hockney is known for manipulating perspective. In many of his works, he flattens the depth or uses multiple angles in one image. This is especially noticeable in his interior scenes. To paint in his style, experiment with unusual viewpoints. You might choose to paint a room from above, or include several different vantage points in the same image. This gives your painting a more dynamic, storytelling quality.
Tools and Mediums Used by Hockney
Traditional Painting Tools
Hockney has used a wide range of materials throughout his career, from oils and acrylics to watercolors and colored pencils. Acrylics are a great starting point for beginners because they dry quickly and allow for layering. Choose bright, opaque paints and a variety of brush sizes to mimic his bold application of color.
Digital Painting
In later years, Hockney embraced digital tools like the iPad and iPhone. Using apps such as Brushes, he created vivid digital drawings that retained his traditional style but explored new possibilities. If you’re tech-savvy, consider trying digital painting software to explore color and composition more freely. This can be a low-cost and forgiving way to study his techniques.
Steps to Paint Like David Hockney
1. Choose a Familiar Scene
Start with a place or subject you know well. This could be your living room, a local pool, or a friend’s portrait. Hockney often painted people and places he was emotionally connected to. Connection with the subject brings authenticity to your work.
2. Sketch Your Composition
Begin by loosely sketching the composition. Don’t worry about realism. Focus on large shapes and lines. You can simplify or exaggerate certain features for effect. Use light pencil lines or go directly in with a paintbrush if you’re feeling confident.
3. Block in Bold Colors
Apply your first layers using bold, flat color blocks. Don’t be afraid to choose unexpected combinations use turquoise for water, hot pink for walls, or orange for grass. The goal is to convey a feeling, not a photo-realistic image.
4. Add Detail with Line
Hockney often uses clean lines to define shapes and add rhythm to a painting. You can use thin brushes, pencils, or markers to add outlines and emphasize form. These lines help guide the viewer’s eye and can give structure to your composition.
5. Experiment with Space and Perspective
Try breaking the rules of traditional perspective. Flatten the space or combine different angles into one scene. For example, paint a room where the floor is viewed from above but the walls are seen head-on. This stylistic choice adds energy and abstraction.
6. Embrace Simplicity
Hockney’s art is often deceptively simple. He pares down detail and lets color and composition do the heavy lifting. Avoid overworking your piece. Sometimes, leaving areas open or unfinished can actually strengthen the image.
Practicing Hockney’s Style Over Time
Study His Work
Look at a wide range of Hockney’s paintings. Notice how he handles light, shadow, and color transitions. Take note of his brushstrokes, line work, and layout. Try recreating small sections or compositions as practice, but always aim to develop your own interpretation.
Keep a Visual Diary
Like Hockney, keep a sketchbook or digital journal where you record daily visual observations. Sketch rooms, plants, people, or reflections in windows. These small studies can inspire future paintings and help sharpen your sense of composition and color.
Paint in Series
Instead of painting one-off images, try creating a series of paintings with a consistent theme. Hockney often revisits the same subject, like his pool series or Yorkshire landscapes. Painting in series allows you to refine your technique and explore variations of a concept.
Mindset and Creativity
Stay Curious
Hockney is constantly exploring new methods, technologies, and styles. Adopt a similar mindset by remaining open to experimentation. Don’t limit yourself to one technique try new tools, paint surfaces, and approaches to capturing space and color.
Let Go of Perfection
Hockney’s paintings have an emotional quality that often comes from imperfection. Allow your art to be loose and expressive. Not every line or proportion needs to be precise. What matters is the feeling your painting conveys.
Make Art a Daily Practice
Hockney paints or draws nearly every day. Regular practice is essential if you want to grow and develop a distinctive style. Set aside time to paint, even if it’s only for a few minutes. Over time, your skills will improve and your confidence will grow.
Inspiration from Key Works
Pool Paintings
Hockney’s pool scenes are among his most famous. They feature bright blues, geometric tiles, and sunlit figures. Try painting your own poolside image, even if it’s fictional. Focus on capturing movement in the water and the warmth of the light.
Portraits
He often painted friends in domestic settings. His portraits are intimate and often calm. The use of color and background adds just as much emotion as the facial expression. Create portraits that highlight your subject’s personality through pose, setting, and style.
iPad Art
Hockney’s digital works offer an accessible way to practice. Download a painting app and try sketching your surroundings. Experiment with layers, color palettes, and brush settings to mimic his digital paintings.
Learning how to paint like David Hockney involves more than copying his images it means absorbing his way of seeing the world. Through bold colors, layered perspectives, and personal subjects, you can develop paintings that feel vibrant and full of life. Take inspiration from his techniques, but make them your own. Embrace experimentation, remain curious, and let color guide your expression. With consistent practice and a playful approach, you’ll find your own voice while honoring the artistic spirit of one of the most influential painters of our time.