Untitled [portrait] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this portrait using ink on paper, demonstrating both control and chance. The fluidity of the ink allows for a range of tonal values, from the deepest blacks to delicate washes, creating a sense of depth and volume. Look at the way Diebenkorn used diluted ink to build up shadows and define the contours of the face. The texture of the paper also plays a crucial role, as the ink bleeds and spreads, resulting in soft, blurred edges, and a sense of immediacy. This work has a casual air, but the artist has carefully built up the image layer by layer. It is not just a question of skill, but also a dialogue between the artist, his chosen materials, and the subject matter. The end result is a testament to the expressive possibilities inherent in the simplest of media.