Untitled [seated nude leaning forward on her knee] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this untitled charcoal drawing of a seated nude leaning forward on her knee at an unknown date. It’s about line, right? Looking at how line alone can describe light and shadow. Notice the confidence of the line, and the way Diebenkorn is kind of feeling around for the form. You can see where he went over certain areas again and again, building up a sense of depth and volume. The material aspect here is all about the charcoal. It's dry, it’s powdery, and it creates a soft, almost hazy effect. It's not about precision, but about capturing a fleeting moment, a feeling. The way the lines are smudged and blended in places suggests movement, like the figure is shifting and alive. I’m drawn to the dark, almost scribbled lines around the figure’s head and shoulders, giving a sense of weight. I'm reminded of Matisse's line drawings. Both artists share a similar interest in simplifying form and capturing the essence of the figure with minimal means. In the end, it’s not about perfection, it’s about the process of seeing and responding to what’s in front of you.