My Journey Through EDCU20042

Where is your eye drawn first?

• My eye is first drawn to the water in the pool, specifically the squiggly shapes.

What is represented or suggested? Describe the lines used in the work. Do they create a sense of depth or movement?

• The abstract shapes used suggest that the water is moving.
• Lines are used in the artwork to highlight the shadows in the pool water, adding depth to the water.

Is there a limited range of colours? Which ones are dominant?

• While there isn’t a great deal of colours used, the palette utilised is vibrant and vivid, with the shades of blue of the water being dominant.

Do the colours create a mood, or suggest ideas or feelings?

• The colours bring up memories of hot summer days spent by the food. When I look at the artwork, I can imagine the heat of the cement under my feet and the first refreshing feeling of diving into the water.

Is the artwork mainly light or dark colours?

• The artwork has been created with predominately light colours.

Is the work busy or is there negative (empty) space? Is the work balanced?

• The busyness of the abstract shapes on the surface of the pool water is well balanced using block colours for the design of the rest of the artwork.

Are there any surfaces that are visually interesting or intriguing? Describe what you see or the texture of the surface? Describe the movement or stillness in the work. What elements do you notice created this? Are there repeated elements in the work creating a rhythm?

• The use of abstract shapes on the surface of the pool creates the illusion of movement within the water making it visually interesting. The artist also includes white splotches throughout the water which give it a reflective quality.

Do you know what medium the artist used in the piece? Does the artist’s choice of medium affect the reading of the work? How?

• The artwork is created using paper pulp as the medium which allows the artist to capture the variations of light within the water.

Year 6 Level Analysis

‘Paper Pool 14’ by David Hockney was created in 1978 using a paper pulp medium, which combines printmaking and painting techniques. The work is a striking example of Hockney’s exploration of colour and abstract shapes and techniques. The artwork uses vivid and saturated colours, and there is a repetition of abstract, squiggly shapes across the surface of the pool water. These shapes suggest movement and the reflection of light, creating the appearance that the water is gently shifting in the sunlight. These abstract shapes also generate a sense of movement and depth. These two design features enhance the visual impact of the painting and immediately capture viewers eyes.

The use of the vivid, saturated colours also helps contribute to the light and vibrant tone of the artwork. It gives rise to memories of summer warmth and captures both the physical heat and leisurely mood associated with being poolside. The busyness of the abstract shapes used in the water is balanced by the use of block colours in the surrounding areas.  Furthermore, the use of paper pulp as a medium plays a significant role in understanding the artwork. This medium allowed Hockney to capture the subtle variations of light and the shimmering qualities of the water within his artworks, which during this era were primarily inspirated by Los Angeles swimming pools.