Untitled [woman seated in armchair] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this sketch, 'Untitled [woman seated in armchair]' with what looks like charcoal or conté crayon on paper. There's a real energy in the way he lays down the marks, a kind of searching for the form, not really fussed if they go outside the lines, so to speak. The darkest darks describe the sitter's top, and the shadow across her leg. It’s really just a mass of scribbled lines, but somehow, it reads as depth and volume. I love the way the lines build up, creating a sense of weight and presence, while still feeling light and airy. It’s like he's thinking out loud with the charcoal, letting us see his process, and I feel it, that beautiful struggle, and openness. You know, this kind of work makes me think of Matisse. Just that incredible ability to say so much with so little, and leave something to the viewer's imagination. It's like they're inviting you into a conversation, rather than just presenting a finished product. It’s a vibe.