untitled [standing female nude with arms raised] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this drawing of a standing female nude, with ink on paper. It’s like the drawing is all about what a line can do. Check out the way he uses these confident, almost sassy lines to define the figure. He's not trying to be perfect or realistic; it’s all about the gesture, the energy of the mark. The ink is bold and direct and you can sense him working through the pose and the form. I love the way Diebenkorn leaves so much open to suggestion. It's not overworked, or fussed over; it's like he laid down the essentials and left it at that. A master of suggestion, like Matisse! You know? It's like he is saying, "Here's the beginning of an idea, now you finish it." That's what makes art so fun, isn't it? It’s this ongoing conversation, with the artist, with the work, and with yourself.