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Tributes paid to famous British artist David Hockney

Hockney is wearing a hat, glasses, a green cardigan and a blue shirt and red tie. Getty Images

David Hockney with his painting 'The Arrival Of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011'

Tributes have been paid to British artist David Hockney who has died at the age of 88 - one month before his 89th birthday.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan described Hockney as a "true icon", while art historian Richard Morris added "British art has lost a giant".

One of his paintings sold for nearly £70 million at auction in 2018 - a record amount for a living artist.

He was known for working with paint, photographs and even iPads.

Learn more about David Hockney

Shadowy figure stands in front of the two paintings displayed on a red wall in an art gallery Getty Images

'A Bigger Splash' seen on the left is one of his most famous works, while on the right 'Portrait Of An Artist (Pool with two Figures)' set the record as the most expensive painting sold by a living artist

What made David Hockney's art so special?

After deciding to be an artist aged 11, Hockney went on to become one of the most successful and influential artists of his generation.

He went to school in Bradford on a scholarship but refused to do any subject other than Art, writing in an exam: "I am no good at science but I can draw."

Although some teachers had concerns saying "ability in and enthusiasm for art alone is not enough to make a career", others tried to be supportive.

One English teacher is said to have let him submit a self-portrait instead of an essay.

He was said to be at his happiest when making "joyful" art, with the motto: "Paint the things you love".

Portrait of English painter David Hockney, dressed in a light blue sweatshirt and tan trousers, as he sits on a chaise longue in his home, Los Angeles, California, 1987. Getty Images

This photo was taken at his home in Los Angeles, California in 1987

The artist produced a huge range of work using paint, photographs and iPads, etchings, lithographs, and even stained glass windows - and was still creating new works of art at 87.

He was awarded the Order of Merit, the most prestigious award for high achievement, from Queen Elizabeth II.

He had previously refused a knighthood but accepted the Order of Merit as he felt it would be ungracious towards the Queen to turn it down.

In 2007, a party was held at the Tate Britain art gallery to celebrate Hockney's 70th birthday.

Hockney's 'A Bigger Splash' captures the moment an unseen diver creates chaos in paradiseGetty Images

Hockney in front of one of his most famous paintings called 'A Bigger Splash'

What have people said?

Labour MP Chris Bryant said he was "very sad" to hear Hockney had died calling his recent exhibition in Paris "one of the most memorable I've seen in many years".

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was a "revolutionary of British art who never stopped reinventing his work".

Art historian Richard Morris added that Hockney's "huge achievement was to make serious painting look effortless".

Meanwhile, Alex Farquharson, director at art museum Tate Britain, has described how Hockey "touched so many, with his astonishing talent, his love for art and life, and his profound and unconventional insights".

Farquharson said the Tate would be "working closely with David's team to realise the two projects he was preparing for next year".