Skip to main content

Richard Diebenkorn Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

American, 1922-1993

Known for his gestural yet geometric depictions of American landscapes, Richard Diebenkorn blended Abstract Expressionism and figurative painting like no other artist before him.

Born in Portland, Oregon, but raised in San Francisco, California, Diebenkorn studied art history at Stanford University before enlisting in the Marines. Afterward, on the G.I. Bill, he enrolled at California School of Fine Arts (now San Francisco Art Institute) in 1946, where he became an instructor a year later. In 1950, he pursued a ​​master’s degree at the University of New Mexico.

He lived and worked for a period during the postwar years in New York City, where he met Mark Rothko and immersed himself in Robert Motherwell’s art. However, the perspective that Diebenkorn brought to his paintings and prints was firmly rooted in the West Coast. His canvases, even when he worked in an abstract style, evoked California’s sandy coastlines and varied topography — one of the attributes that set him apart from contemporaries such as Willem de Kooning and Philip Guston.

Diebenkorn is acclaimed for his representational paintings; he was a founding member of the Bay Area Figurative movement, along with David Park and Elmer Bischoff. But he is best known for his lyrical abstract work. He explored abstraction during the 1950s before switching to figuration — creating still lifes and working with live models — and then returned to abstraction, developing a distinctive style that was entirely his own.

When Diebenkorn moved to Southern California, he began to teach at UCLA and commenced work on what would become his enduring “Ocean Park” series, named for the Santa Monica suburb he called home as of 1966 and inspired by the view from his studio — in particular, the light on the landscape outside the windows as framed by the windows themselves. The influence of Henri Matisse loomed large too. Diebenkorn had been an admirer of Matisse’s work since his days in the military, and in 1964, a trip to see the French painter’s work at the State Hermitage Museum in Leningrad proved monumental for him.

The “Ocean Park” series, created over the span of two decades, comprised more than 140 large paintings with gentle, shimmering compositions of color arranged in geometric harmony, with the texture of Diebenkorn’s constant reworking of the paint coming through.

“All paintings start out of a mood, out of a relationship with things or people, out of a complete visual impression,” Diebenkorn once said. Today, his work can be found in the collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Phillips Collection, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and more.

Find authentic Richard Diebenkorn art on 1stDibs.

to
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
23
137
110
89
77
1
Artist: Richard Diebenkorn
Untitled (Urbana Series)
By Richard Diebenkorn
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A drawing by Richard Diebenkorn. This Untitled work from the Urbana Series is an ink of paper, abstract drawing by Post War, Bay Area Figurat...
Category

1950s Abstract Expressionist Richard Diebenkorn Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

Related Items
Singed roses - abstraction art, made in cherry red, garnet red, white, grey
By Mila Akopova
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Interior design paintings. The triptych is made with alcoholic ink in garnet red, cherry red, gray, white on Yupo paper. It can be in both horizontal and in vertical positions. Each ...
Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Richard Diebenkorn Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

Large Ink Drawing Abstract Expressionist Rooster Woman Artist Judith Brown
By Judith Brown
Located in Surfside, FL
Judith Brown (December 17, 1931 – May 11, 1992) was a dancer and a sculptor who was drawn to images of the body in motion and its effect on the cloth surrounding it. She welded crushed automobile scrap metal into energetic moving torsos, horses, and flying draperies. Brown attended Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, New York (B.A., 1954), where she learned to weld from her teacher, Theodore Roszak, a pioneering abstract expressionist sculptor. This is done in a style similar to Leonard Baskin. Select Commissions Mural Sculpture, Lobby, Louisville Radio Station WAVE Fountain, commissioned by Architectural Interiors, New York City Model, designed and executed for Festival of Two Worlds, Spoleto, Italy Sculpture, designed for Electra Film Productions, NYC Noah's Ark, exhibited at Bronx Zoo, New York City, at Rochester Museum and Science Center, Rochester, New York, and at Hopkins Center, Hanover, New Hampshire Store Windows, executed Tiffany & Company Windows, New York City, Christmas 1957, 1959, 1962, October 1969, Spring 1979, and October 1980 Wall Sculptures: for Youngstown Research Center (1963-4), commissioned by Youngstown Steel Company, Youngstown, Ohio; for Hecht and Company, Landmark Shopping Center, Alexandria, Virginia, Daniel Schwartzman, Architect; for Lobby, 570 Seventh Avenue, New York City, Giorgio Cavaglieri, Architect; for Lobby, Cities Service Company's New Research Center, Cranbury, New Jersey; for Ottauquechee Health Center, Woodstock, Vermont Eternal Lights: for Congregation Beth-El, South Orange, New Jersey; for Congregation Sharey Tefilo, East Orange, New Jersey Menorahs: commissioned by Architect Fritz Nathan for the Permanent Collection of the Jewish Museum, New York City; commissioned by Smith College for the Helen Hill Chapel, Northampton, Massachusetts; commissioned by Jules Scherman, of Wisteria Press, Inc., New York City Altar Cross, commissioned by Smith College for the Helen Hill Chapel, Northampton, Massachusetts Landscape, Memorial Piece for Gustave Heller, YM-YWCA, Essex County, New Jersey Memorial Plaque for Robert A. Ferguson, Westchester County Airport, Purchase, New York Sculpture for Vice President's office, Atlantic Richfield Company, New York City Bronze Relief Sculpture for Gymnasium Lobby, South Richmond High School, Staten Island, New York, Daniel Schwartzman, Architect Poster, Stratton Arts Festival, Stratton, Vermont Medallion, commissioned by Brandeis University National Women's Committee, New York City Model for Fountain for the Plaza at Windsor, Vermont Bronze Sculpture, commissioned by Intramural, Inc. for Building Lobby, N/E Cor. 79th Street and Second Avenue, New York City Presentation Piece, commissioned by Graphic Arts Associates of Delaware Valley, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wall Mural, Noah's Ark, Roosevelt Hospital, New York City 1977: Designed and executed Hanes Hosiery "Million Dollar Award"; Designed and executed "Old Spice" Smart Ship Award 1978: Commissioned to design and execute the "Walter White Award" for the NAACP for presentation to Hubert Humphrey; Commissioned to design and execute the Award for the Honorees of the National Board YWCA's First Tribute to Women in International Industry 1979: Designed and executed Jewelry for the Museum of Modern Art, New York City; Designed and executed limited edition of Mazuzas for Brandeis University-National Women's Committee, New York City 1980: Bronze Cross commissioned for St. James Episcopal Church, Woodstock, Vermont 1982: Eubie Award, New York Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences 1985: Two Sculptures, Marriott Hotel, Orlando, Florida 1986: Two large Sculptures for indoor reflecting pools, Palm Desert Hotel, Palm Springs, California; John Portman, Eight Sculptures for Peachtree Plaza Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia; John Portman, Beach House, Sea Island, Georgia 1987: Loan Installation, DeCordova Museum, Lincoln, Massachusetts 1988: Eleven foot outdoor Sculpture for Front Plaza, River Court, Charles River, East Cambridge, Massachusetts, H. J. Davis Development Corp.; Tomie dePaola...
Category

1950s Abstract Expressionist Richard Diebenkorn Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

India Ink, Handmade Paper

Venusian Tree Of Hope - Drawing by Parimah Avani-2022
Located in Roma, IT
Venusian Tree Of Hope is an original painting realized by Iranian artist and poet Parimah Avani in 2022. China ink and acrylic on ivory-colored Cans...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Expressionist Richard Diebenkorn Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, India Ink, Acrylic

Rise Blue Butterfly Ink Watercolor on Paper
By Keith Carrington
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Rise Blue Butterfly Watercolor, ink on archival paper Keith Carrington’s experiences have led him to express his talents through the fluid & exactin...
Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Richard Diebenkorn Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Watercolor, Archival Paper

The Maze - Abstract Expressionist Miniature Etching
By R. Silvestrov
Located in Soquel, CA
An abstract expressionist miniature etching on paper depicting a numerous different insects following a line of arrows by R. Silvestrov (Russian). Si...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Richard Diebenkorn Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

'Lily in Charcoal' abstract expressionism photography edition of 10
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Lily in Charcoal' 2023 From raw energy to sublime. 'Lily in Charcoal' is an expression piece combining an abstract charcoal drawing with a live lily emerging from a gash. The charc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Richard Diebenkorn Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper

'Lily in Charcoal no.3' abstract expressionism photography edition of 10
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Lily in Charcoal no.3' 2023 From raw energy to sublime. 'Lily in Charcoal No.3' is an expression piece combining an abstract charcoal drawing with a live lily emerging from a gash....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Richard Diebenkorn Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper

'Lily in Charcoal no.2' abstract expressionism photography edition of 10
By Ugne Pouwell
Located in London, GB
'Lily in Charcoal no.2' 2023 From raw energy to sublime. 'Lily in Charcoal No.2' is an expression piece combining an abstract charcoal drawing with a live lily emerging from a gash....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Richard Diebenkorn Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Bloody Roses Of Street - Drawing by Parimah Avani - 2022
Located in Roma, IT
Bloody Roses Of Street is a Drawing realized by Iranian Painter and Poet Parimah Avani in 2022. China ink and acrylic on ivory-colored paper. Hand-signed and dated. Excellent condit...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Expressionist Richard Diebenkorn Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, India Ink, Acrylic

Blossom Light from Blood- Drawing by Parimah Avani - 2022
Located in Roma, IT
Blossom Light from Blood is a Drawing realized by Iranian Painter and Poet Parimah Avani in 2022. China ink and acrylic on ivory-colored paper. Hand-si...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Expressionist Richard Diebenkorn Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, India Ink, Acrylic

Pair of Abstract Dimensional India Ink Drawings in Black and Red
By Louis Nadalini
Located in Soquel, CA
Substantial and period Abstract expressionist pair of India ink drawings by San Francisco artist Louis E. Nadalini (American, 1927-1995). Signed "L. Nadalini" lower right and titled...
Category

1960s Abstract Expressionist Richard Diebenkorn Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

India Ink, Laid Paper

Blossom Light from Blood- Drawing by Parimah Avani - 2022
Located in Roma, IT
Blossom Light from Blood is a Drawing realized by Iranian Painter and Poet Parimah Avani in 2022. China ink and acrylic on ivory-colored paper. Hand-signed and dated. Excellent conditions. Presented in a Personal exhibition of "le Poesie Di Lutto e Di Lotta " (The Poems of Struggle and Mourning) curated by Leda Bartolucci in Turin, Italy, Bagni Pubblici, 2022. The artwork is poetically created through expressionistic brush strokes, the well-applied dry and watery strokes from the series “The Poems of Struggle and Mourning " in poetic style representing revolutionary figures in a minimalistic manner. The various layer is made perfectly by the expression of brushes, which makes this series unique: is deeply behind the dynamic emotion of each figure and abstract form, four colors here have metaphorical features; pink as woman, yellow as hope, silvery as resistance, and red as blood. The panoramic lines inspired by Persian calligraphy...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Expressionist Richard Diebenkorn Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, India Ink, Acrylic

Richard Diebenkorn abstract drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Richard Diebenkorn abstract drawings and watercolors available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Richard Diebenkorn in ink, paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1950s and is mostly associated with the post-war style. Not every interior allows for large Richard Diebenkorn abstract drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 11 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Sam Francis, Robert Motherwell, and Seymour Lipton. Richard Diebenkorn abstract drawings and watercolors prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $100,000 and tops out at $100,000, while the average work can sell for $100,000.

Recently Viewed

View All