Untitled [standing female nude: side view] 1955 - 1967

This standing nude was drawn by Richard Diebenkorn, probably using charcoal or a similar dry medium. See how the marks are tentative, searching, almost like the artist is feeling his way around the form. The beauty of a drawing like this is that it reveals the process. You can see where Diebenkorn has gone over lines, adjusting and refining his vision. The lines themselves are wonderfully varied. Some are thick and dark, defining the edge of the figure, while others are light and sketchy, suggesting the volume and weight of the body. The negative space is so important here, isn’t it? Look how the white of the paper defines the shape of the model’s thigh, or the curve of her back. Diebenkorn was a master of simplification, and this drawing is a perfect example of his ability to capture the essence of a subject with a minimum of means. He reminds me a little of Matisse in that way, using line to suggest form, and allowing the white of the paper to breathe life into the composition. It’s all about suggestion, and letting the viewer fill in the blanks.