Untitled [reclining female nude with arms raised] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this drawing of a reclining female nude with ink on paper. It’s all about the line, isn't it? And how that line can be so descriptive, so economical, yet so full of potential energy. Look at the confidence of each stroke, how they swell and taper. The ink is rich and dark, pooling in places, creating these little accents that give weight and volume. It’s like Diebenkorn is mapping out the form, not just describing its surface. It reminds me of Matisse, but with a West Coast vibe – a bit more laid-back, maybe. The way he leaves certain areas open, unfinished, invites you to fill in the blanks, to participate in the act of seeing. It's a testament to the power of suggestion, how a few well-placed marks can conjure a whole world. You see that clump of marks at the left? Like little tadpoles swimming in a pool of ink. It is the essence of artmaking – a blend of intention and accident, control and release.