” David Hockney may be 74 years old, but that doesn’t mean he can’t learn some new tricks…

It’s a new direction for Hockney, and the artist admits he didn’t take to the Apple device quickly. “It took me awhile to realize it’s quite a serious tool you can use,” he said.

Hockney’s won high praise for adopting technology, with many outlets praising his move, and The Guardian even pointing to the development as proof that he’s “an artist who still genuinely matters.”

That said, he’s hardly the only or first artist to take up the iPad. Tech sites have long been publishing guides to creating your own touchscreen masterpieces, and many sites around the web have culled some of the world’s best iPhone or iPad artists into galleries.” Read more from Kia Makarechi and David Hockney’s iPad Art on Display at the Royal Academy.

“The novelty of what he has been doing is two-fold. Firstly, this is a new medium with fresh possibilities, requiring unorthodox techniques. Hockney executed the drawings mainly with the edge of his thumb; you can’t use the thumbnail, he says, because the device is sensitive to heat, not just touch. The second innovation is in the method of distribution. He sends these techno-sketches out to friends, who may then pass them on, collect them or do whatever they want.” Read this great article from Martin Gayford, David Hockney’s iPad art.

In ‘David Hockney’s Instant iPad Art‘ the artist talks to the BBC about the process of creating iPad art, exhibiting work created in this new media and the very nature of digital art. This site has a great article from Colin Grant and it’s really interesting to see Hockney discussing his work.

“The results throws up questions about the very nature of “originals” and “reproductions”, and the value – aesthetic and monetary – of the work. As yet, Fresh Flowers are not for sale.

The technology brings a new dimension to the gallery, and both he and the curator Charlie Scheips, believe that they are at the beginning of an artistic revolution for professionals and amateurs alike.

“Even though some of the tools may be too advanced for the novice or amateur, they are still extraordinary and well worth exploring,” says Hockney.

And although the colours may not be as rich as that which he might conjure from oils with a paint brush and palette he still marvels at what can be achieved.

“It’s a real privilege to make these works of art through digital tools which mean you don’t have the bother of water, paints, and the chore of clearing things away,” he says.

“You know sometimes I get so carried away, I wipe my fingers at the end thinking that I’ve got paint on them.”