Untitled [portrait of a woman with cigarette] [recto] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this unnamed portrait of a woman with a cigarette, using graphite on paper. Look at how Diebenkorn’s mark-making is so present. The lines aren’t just describing the woman, they’re alive and active. There’s a sense of searching, of feeling out the form as it emerges. You can really sense Diebenkorn working through the process. I love the way the graphite catches the light, creating a subtle sheen across the surface. The layering of lines, especially around the face and hair, gives a real sense of depth and volume. See how the area around her left eye is heavily worked, giving it a shadowed, contemplative feel? It’s like he’s digging into her inner thoughts, trying to capture something beyond just her likeness. Diebenkorn’s work reminds me a bit of Matisse, that same interest in line and form, but with a rawer, more immediate energy. Art is always echoing, always in conversation. It’s all about finding your own voice within that ongoing dialogue.