Untitled [two studies of a hand holding a writing tool] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made these two studies of a hand holding a writing tool without a date, using pen and ink on paper. I find it interesting how the ink bleeds into the paper; it reminds us of the fluidity of thought as it meets the page. Diebenkorn's approach here feels immediate. The texture of the paper peeks through, contrasting with the boldness of the ink. Look at the upper hand; see how the lines vary in thickness? There's a confidence in the way the hand is rendered, yet also a sense of searching, as if Diebenkorn is trying to capture the essence of the gesture. The splatters around the fingers don't feel like mistakes; they add to the drawing's energy. This reminds me a little of Cy Twombly's mark-making, that same embrace of the imperfect line. Art is always a conversation. We're all just trying to figure things out, one mark at a time.