David Hockney (1937–2026) was one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century. He produced work in almost every medium – painting, drawing, stage design, photography and printmaking – and stretched the boundaries of all of them. His groundbreaking Secret Knowledge: Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters is published by Thames & Hudson, as are his books in partnership with Martin Gayford: A Bigger Message (2011), A History of Pictures (2016) and Spring Cannot be Cancelled (2021). Thames & Hudson also published the catalogue of his blockbuster exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in 2025.

'Rose’s illustrations illuminate the narratives of both authors' - Digital Arts

• Introduction • 1. Thinking About Pictures: Why Do We Make Pictures? • 2. Making Marks: What Makes an Interesting Mark? • 3. Light and Shadows: What is a shadow exactly? • 4. Watch This Space: How Do Artists Set the Scene? • 5. Mirrors and Reflections: How Do Artists Play with Light? • 6. Painting and Photography: What Tools Do Artists Use? • 7. Moving Pictures: Can Pictures Really Move? • 8. The Story Goes On: What’s Next for Pictures? • Timeline of Inventions