Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is a fast-drying, water-based paint made with pigment and an acrylic polymer binder. It is widely used in art and decorative projects because it is versatile and durable.
Painter
David Hockney
David Hockney was a British artist known for portraits, landscapes, California swimming-pool scenes, and work across painting, printmaking, photography, and digital drawing.
David Hockney quick facts
Review key details about David Hockney's life, career, British and California periods, major subjects, and his work across traditional and digital media.
| Born | July 9, 1937 · Bradford, England |
|---|---|
| Died | June 11, 2026 · London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Paint media | Acrylic paint · Oil paint · Watercolor · Gouache |
| Documented supports | Canvas · Paper · Painting board, including hardboard · Cardboard |
| Documented example | Royal Palace (a), design for Ubu Roi (1966), colored pencil, pencil, and gouache on cardboard |
| Other media | Printmaking, drawing, photography, collage, and digital drawing |
| Common subjects | Portraits, swimming pools, interiors, landscapes, gardens, and changing seasons |
| Notable works | A Bigger Splash, Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures), and Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy |
Sources: The David Hockney Foundation, David Hockney Foundation: Bolton Junction, Eccleshill, David Hockney Foundation: A Walk around the Hotel Courtyard, Acatlan, David Hockney Foundation: Tufjorden. Nordkapp., Seattle Art Museum: Gouache Study for a Closer Grand Canyon, MoMA: Royal Palace (a), design for Ubu Roi, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Tate.
Paint types used
See the paint types documented in Hockney's work, with links to PaintZeal references explaining each medium's properties, uses, and working characteristics.
Oil Paint
Oil paint is a slow-drying paint made with pigment and a drying oil binder. It is widely used for artwork because it blends smoothly and develops rich color.
Watercolor Paint
Watercolor paint is a water-based art medium made with pigment and a water-soluble binder. It is known for transparent color that settles into absorbent paper.
Gouache Paint
Gouache paint is an opaque, water-based art medium made with pigment and a water-soluble binder. Traditional formulas dry to a matte finish and can be reactivated with water.
Surface types used
See the surface types documented in Hockney's work, with links to PaintZeal references explaining how each support behaves and is prepared for painting.
Canvas
Canvas is a woven fabric support used for paintings, banners, bags, décor, and other projects. Artist canvas may be raw, sized, acrylic-primed, oil-primed, or factory-coated, and each condition changes how paint absorbs and bonds.
Paper
Paper is an absorbent sheet material made primarily from cellulose fibers. Its weight, sizing, surface texture, and wet strength determine how much paint it can accept before buckling, pilling, bleeding, or warping.
Painting Board
Painting board is a rigid artist support made from hardboard, wood, or another stable panel material. It may be sold raw or prepared with a medium-specific ground layer.
Cardboard
Cardboard is a paper-based sheet material made from compressed fibers, often with corrugated fluting between liner sheets. It is lightweight and absorbent, so heavy wet coats can soften or warp it.
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