Untitled [rear view of female nude] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this ink drawing of a female nude, and the quick, confident strokes really grab me. It’s all about the process, you know? Like, how do you capture a body with the fewest possible marks? I love how he uses the brush almost like a sculptor's tool. The ink is thick in some places, thin in others, creating this dance of light and shadow that gives the figure weight and form. Notice that single, bold stroke that defines the curve of her back, arching down to meet the shadow on her hip. It's so simple, yet so powerful. It tells you everything you need to know about the figure’s posture and presence. Diebenkorn's drawing reminds me of Matisse, who had a similar gift for capturing the essence of a form with just a few lines. Ultimately, it’s about seeing, feeling, and responding to the subject in the moment.