Untitled [view of a reclining female nude from a low angle] 1955 - 1967

This ink drawing of a reclining nude was made by Richard Diebenkorn. It's a great example of how a few lines can suggest so much. Look at the way Diebenkorn uses line weight – sometimes thick, sometimes thin – to define the contours of the figure. The varying pressure creates a sense of depth and volume, even though it’s just lines on paper. I love how he captures the weight of the body with such economy. It reminds me a bit of Matisse's line drawings, that same effortless quality. But Diebenkorn has his own thing going on, a kind of understated cool that's uniquely Californian. Ultimately, like all great art, it's not about perfection, but about the energy and the feeling that comes through. It’s about seeing and sharing a way of seeing.