Untitled [side view of a seated female nude] 1955 - 1967

This is a drawing of a seated nude made by Richard Diebenkorn, we don't know exactly when, and the fact it's called 'Untitled' suggests that the process of making the work was probably more important to him than pinning down any fixed meaning. Look at the density of marks around the figure's torso, compared to the relatively sparse lines that define her legs. It's like he's feeling his way around the form, building it up through layer upon layer of charcoal. Those lines aren't just descriptive; they're expressive. Each stroke carries a weight, a pressure, a decision. I'm reminded of Matisse's line drawings, how he could capture so much with so little. Both artists share an ability to make a single line vibrate with energy, to suggest volume and space without resorting to heavy shading or detail. It's this kind of drawing that reminds me why I love painting – it's a conversation, a dance, a way of thinking through feeling.