The Flickr Celiabirtwell Image Generatr

Pencil and coloured pencil on paper using a camera lucida

Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Lithograph

Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Pencil and coloured pencil on paper using a camera lucida

Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Lithograph

This lithograph is part of a series created in Los Angeles at Gemini G.E.L artist’s workshop and publisher. The portraits capture Celia in various poses and moods: Celia Musing, Celia Inquiring, Celia Elegant, Celia Weary and Celia Amused. The influence of Henri Matisse’s loose and uninterrupted mark-making is evident. The spontaneity of drawing directly onto the plate in tusche, a black lithographic liquid, using a large brush animates these portraits, in contrast to the stillness of the neo-classical drawings made in Paris earlier that decade.*

Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Pencil and coloured pencil on paper using a camera lucida

Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Lithograph

This lithograph is part of a series created in Los Angeles at Gemini G.E.L artist’s workshop and publisher. The portraits capture Celia in various poses and moods: Celia Musing, Celia Inquiring, Celia Elegant, Celia Weary and Celia Amused. The influence of Henri Matisse’s loose and uninterrupted mark-making is evident. The spontaneity of drawing directly onto the plate in tusche, a black lithographic liquid, using a large brush animates these portraits, in contrast to the stillness of the neo-classical drawings made in Paris earlier that decade.*

Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Celia Seated on an Office Chair (Colour), 1974
Etching

Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Ink on paper


Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Etching

Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Ink on paper


Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Lithograph

Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition

David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Celia, 1973, & Celia, 8365 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, 1973
Lithograph

Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition

David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Lithograph

This lithograph is part of a series created in Los Angeles at Gemini G.E.L artist’s workshop and publisher. The portraits capture Celia in various poses and moods: Celia Musing, Celia Inquiring, Celia Elegant, Celia Weary and Celia Amused. The influence of Henri Matisse’s loose and uninterrupted mark-making is evident. The spontaneity of drawing directly onto the plate in tusche, a black lithographic liquid, using a large brush animates these portraits, in contrast to the stillness of the neo-classical drawings made in Paris earlier that decade.*

Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Etching

Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Lithograph

This lithograph is part of a series created in Los Angeles at Gemini G.E.L artist’s workshop and publisher. The portraits capture Celia in various poses and moods: Celia Musing, Celia Inquiring, Celia Elegant, Celia Weary and Celia Amused. The influence of Henri Matisse’s loose and uninterrupted mark-making is evident. The spontaneity of drawing directly onto the plate in tusche, a black lithographic liquid, using a large brush animates these portraits, in contrast to the stillness of the neo-classical drawings made in Paris earlier that decade.*

Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Celia Seated on an Office Chair (Colour), 1974
Etching

Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Ink on paper


Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Ink on paper


Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition


David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

Lithograph

Celia
Textile designer, Celia Birtwell, has been a dear friend and close confidante to David Hockney since the 1960s. With their northern roots and shared sense of humour, they found they had much in common from their first meeting and together they were at the heart of bohemian London. The artist has always been fascinated by the changing nature of Celia’s face, and she remains to this day, one of his favourite models.
Although often dubbed Hockney’s ‘muse’, their relationship is much more than that. They have always admired each other’s work and her sittings for him have been collaborations, as well as an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. In his portraits of Celia, the artist has always paid close attention to her distinctive and romantic fabric designs and some of Celia’s own work is inspired by the artist.*

From the exhibition

David Hockney: Drawing from Life
(November 2023 - January 2024)

David Hockney (b.1937) is regarded as one of the master draughtsmen of our times. He widely champions drawing, which is at the heart of his studio activity and has underpinned his work throughout his life. From the early pen and ink and coloured pencil drawings, to his more recent experiments with watercolour and digital technology, the artist’s inventive visual language has taken many different stylistic turns.
Over the past six decades he has never stood still, or rested on a particular approach, medium or technique, remaining inquisitive, playful and thought provoking while generously sharing his ideas with his audience. His drawing reflects his admiration for both the Old Masters and ‘modern Masters’ from Rembrandt to Picasso.
Drawing from Life explores the artist’s unique vision of the world around him, which is played out in portraits of himself and his intimate circle. A room of new ‘painted drawings’ of visitors to his Normandy studio in 2021-2 offer a glimpse of Hockney’s continuing working life.
All works in the exhibition are by David Hockney..
[*National Portrait Gallery]

Taken in National Portrait Gallery

As seen at the Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell retrospective in Milan, Italy.