1 comments about The Blue Guitar: Etchings by David Hockney Who Was Inspired by Wallace Stevens Who Was Inspired by Pablo Picasso.

1. THE BLUE GUITAR is one of the most sensitive 'collaborations' or 'appropriations' or 'responsive inspirations' that has been published. Wallace Stevens wrote THE MAN WITH THE BLUE GUITAR in 1936 as a response to the famous painting by Pablo Picasso called 'The Old Guitarist 1903'. David Hockney discovered the poem and readdressed the Picasso in 1976 and the result of his encounter resulted in the 20 etchings he created. The work of all three artists is presented in this small book which feels more like a bibliophile edition than a standard text. No need for explantion or essay or evaluation, this sensitve little tome speaks volumes. A stunning publication.

No comments about CHINA DIARY..

No comments about Hockney's Alphabet.

No comments about David Hockney Photographs..

No comments about A Degas Sketchbook.

No comments about 20 photographs.

2 comments about David Hockney (Modern Masters Series, Vol. 17).

1. Hockney never ceases to amaze us with his abundant energy and inventiveness. One need only look at a Hockney--always a wealth of colors and quirky gestures--to brighten any day.



2. The book itself is a brief, well-illstrated summary of Hockney's work, from school in the 1950s up to the book's time, in the mid-nineties. Color reproductions are good, but lots of the paintings are shown in B&W, which I consider a loss. The text is workmanlike, but I have to admit I skipped most of it.
   
   The problem is, I just don't much care for Hockney's work, and this book didn't change that part of my taste. Parts were interesting, like the relationships between his Polaroid collages and the paintings with rubbery perspective. Only just interesting, though.
   
   I gave this four stars because it does seem to be a competent presentation of it's kind, but I've seen more impressive books dedicated to other artists. I'm sure Hockney fans will give a very different kind of review.
   
   //wiredweird

No comments about David Hockney by David Hockney: My Early Years.

2 comments about Draw: How to Master the Art.

1. To quote the author: "This is not a step-by-step guide todrawing - steps would only be useful if the destination were known. It is for individual journeys and the flights of steps would be as numerous as its readers." (p.54)

   The author advocates learning to draw by copying the Masters, and the book's copious illustrations consist largely of the author's own competent renderings of details from the drawings of van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, Goya, Durer, Klee and numerous other greats - all for the purpose of illustrating various ideas concerning materials, techniques and subject matter.

   The book is essentially a very loosely structured compendium of ideas and concepts. Nothing covered in any depth, but on the whole very stimulating, thought-provoking and far-reaching.

   This book demands a great deal of self-motivation and initiative to be used effectively. But given the author's thesis that you learn by copying the Masters (and apparently they all copied each other!), the book provides excellent guidance on who to seek out and what to look for. They all favoured particular drawing materials and each excelled at achieving certain effects. ... but this one does offer a unique approach that is free of gimmicks.

   By the way, David Hockney wrote only the introduction, and except for advocating the copying method, adds nothing to the book. END




2. This is a most valuable book in the how to master the art world. It has many fun excercises to work on and many illustrations. If you are a beginner in art, like I am, I beleive this will be the best book on the subject.
   To me the most fun are the small in size easy illustrated tips throughout the book, that I can not help but to pick up a pencil and try them right away!

No comments about Hand Eye Heart.