therkive's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most insightful books - interviews - I have ever read between an artist I knew relatively little about (outside of his extensive career and beautiful work) and a renowned art critic.
I read this from Namjoon's recommendations and now understand why he loves this book. At 85 years of age, David Hockney is still full of vitality and innovation that persists through his artwork and his understanding of the craft. As Martin Gayford becomes closer to Hockney and documents his conversations with the artist, we too can see the reasons behind Hockney's endless originality. He persists in creating new studies, despite finding his personal style, the hunger for documenting reality over and over again never fading. Hockney continues to utilize new mediums and learn about new techniques through the history of art to adapt and create with the times.
It is admirable, the way Hockney became settled in one part of Yorkshire, England, fascinated with the minute changes in his daily scenery - and thus, never tiring of drawing the environment through whatever changes occur.
As a budding photographer, Hockney's views on the misinterpretation of photography (that it depicts reality in its clearest form when the photograph created is still is within the eye of the photographer) - yet how it can contribute to the quickly changing nature art and art techniques in this day and age are fascinating. His insights into visualizing the world, as an artist trained to depict the world, is equally fascinating "Most people don't look at a face for too long; they tend to look away. But you do if you are painting a portrait. [...] "Drawing makes you see things clearer, and clearer, and clearer still." (84)
I learned significantly from this book - on art, on living quietly, on seeing, on the changes of time - and urge people to read this.
I read this from Namjoon's recommendations and now understand why he loves this book. At 85 years of age, David Hockney is still full of vitality and innovation that persists through his artwork and his understanding of the craft. As Martin Gayford becomes closer to Hockney and documents his conversations with the artist, we too can see the reasons behind Hockney's endless originality. He persists in creating new studies, despite finding his personal style, the hunger for documenting reality over and over again never fading. Hockney continues to utilize new mediums and learn about new techniques through the history of art to adapt and create with the times.
It is admirable, the way Hockney became settled in one part of Yorkshire, England, fascinated with the minute changes in his daily scenery - and thus, never tiring of drawing the environment through whatever changes occur.
As a budding photographer, Hockney's views on the misinterpretation of photography (that it depicts reality in its clearest form when the photograph created is still is within the eye of the photographer) - yet how it can contribute to the quickly changing nature art and art techniques in this day and age are fascinating. His insights into visualizing the world, as an artist trained to depict the world, is equally fascinating "Most people don't look at a face for too long; they tend to look away. But you do if you are painting a portrait. [...] "Drawing makes you see things clearer, and clearer, and clearer still." (84)
I learned significantly from this book - on art, on living quietly, on seeing, on the changes of time - and urge people to read this.
ezzah025's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.75
brisingr's review against another edition
DNF at 52%.
Me, with no knowledge or interest in art, entirely out of touch with painters and art history: reads this book just because Namjoon also did.
Me, with no knowledge or interest in art, entirely out of touch with painters and art history: reads this book just because Namjoon also did.
dameantoinette's review
5.0
So this is the infamous book Namjoon read and of course I grew interested in it as well. One of the best reads of this year for sure.
I would like to disagree that someone without an intense background in art wouldn't get much out of this book - you would, because it isn't just about art. It is about how we view the world around us, how things have developed, how artists eyes develop and how artist adapt to new technology just like we do.
Fascinating read. Hockney is a fascinating man.
I would like to disagree that someone without an intense background in art wouldn't get much out of this book - you would, because it isn't just about art. It is about how we view the world around us, how things have developed, how artists eyes develop and how artist adapt to new technology just like we do.
Fascinating read. Hockney is a fascinating man.