Back to: Lithographic Pool Series
David Hockney's Lithographic Water Made of Lines is one of the foundational works from his landmark Lithograph of Water Made of Lines series, created in 1978 in collaboration with master printer Kenneth Tyler at Tyler Graphics, New York. Printed in cyan blue on TGL handmade paper, the lithograph demonstrates Hockney's fascination with the visual complexity of swimming pools through an elegant composition built almost entirely from line. Rather than relying on colour, Hockney uses an intricate network of intersecting marks to recreate the shimmering movement, reflections and transparency of water, showcasing his innovative approach to contemporary printmaking.
Created as part of Hockney's wider investigation into perception, Lithographic Water Made of Lines transforms a familiar swimming pool into a sophisticated study of light and observation. The carefully varied line work suggests ripples, depth and changing reflections, proving that water can be convincingly represented through drawing alone. Widely regarded as one of the defining works within Hockney's printmaking practice, the lithograph reflects his lifelong commitment to experimentation and his ability to push the creative possibilities of the lithographic medium.
