Untitled [woman in a shirt and skirt seated on a stool] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this drawing of a seated woman with ink on paper. Here, he uses a readily available, no-frills medium to capture an everyday scene. Look closely at the lines. See how they waver and sometimes double back? These aren't the confident, sweeping marks of a master draftsman, but rather tentative explorations. This reveals Diebenkorn's process – his way of working through the image, adjusting and refining as he goes. The ink, fluid and unforgiving, allows for little correction. It is a medium that demands both spontaneity and control. The simplicity of materials and process emphasizes the artist's direct engagement with his subject. It challenges the traditional hierarchy that often places painting above drawing, and elevates the ordinary to the realm of art. It’s a reminder that great art doesn't always require fancy materials; it requires vision and an understanding of process.