tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post1867472253640827602..comments2024-03-18T10:53:57.845-04:00Comments on All Things Ruffnerian, a Design Blog and More: Pompeii No.51: Diana's Secret LoveMark D. Ruffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-8633155312395766382015-05-04T21:37:31.924-04:002015-05-04T21:37:31.924-04:00that makes it even better! Amazing skill.that makes it even better! Amazing skill.Theresa Cheekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11429069123185290732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-21899769983885497742015-05-03T17:50:10.371-04:002015-05-03T17:50:10.371-04:00Thank you, Barbara,
Borrowing more obscure bits a...Thank you, Barbara,<br /><br />Borrowing more obscure bits and pieces from art history and incorporating them into my house has given me a double pleasure — first, for the research, which always borders a little on fantasizing, and then in the sharing.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-20163394525206171402015-05-03T08:54:32.556-04:002015-05-03T08:54:32.556-04:00Sometimes I hesitate, Mark, to leave you a message...Sometimes I hesitate, Mark, to leave you a message because I know so little about art and feel unqualified to render an opinion beyond WOW, I love what you're doing. I am learning so much through your posts, however, and am enjoying this project immensely.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-18975840317476292272015-05-02T22:27:50.032-04:002015-05-02T22:27:50.032-04:00Dear Yvette,
I don't know if you ever got a c...Dear Yvette,<br /><br />I don't know if you ever got a chance to read the postings that fall under the sidebar heading of "Art History is not Linear," but they stemmed from the fact that I noticed when I was an art teacher that my students weren't particularly interested in art history. It took much effort on my part to convince them that every period of art is a stepping-off place for something very new. It was all the more ironic that the few contemporary artists they did admire were obviously (to me, at least) versed in earlier periods and influences.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-70600599965865977702015-05-02T13:16:30.414-04:002015-05-02T13:16:30.414-04:00I occasionally clean off my brushes on my shirt or...I occasionally clean off my brushes on my shirt or jeans when I'm working too, Mark. When the work is really going well who has time to do otherwise? :) I love what you've done - well, you already knew that. I'm always surprised - when I drop in to see how you're doing - to see just how much further along you are. Wow. Can't wait to see how you frame the lovers.<br /><br />I like the Carracci technique very much. It reminds me of several artists working today so it's obvious that the influence of Renaissance artists is still very much in evidence today even if unacknowledged. Well, duh - Yvette. But you know what I mean.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-57625595043580230132015-04-29T21:05:40.028-04:002015-04-29T21:05:40.028-04:00Hello, Loi,
I'm using regular house paints fr...Hello, Loi,<br /><br />I'm using regular house paints from Sherwin Williams — the very same paint that one would use to cover a wall in a solid color. I've bought many quarts of flat Sherwin Williams colors and I mix them together in a white porcelain bowl as if I had a palette. You won't see any photographs of me at work because I like to work when I'm alone, listening to music, but I wear a white shirt and a pair of jeans that are both covered in paint. Sometimes I clean off my brush right on the shirt.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-8571774471047563122015-04-29T15:49:11.661-04:002015-04-29T15:49:11.661-04:00What a beautiful focal point! I can't wait to ...What a beautiful focal point! I can't wait to see how you frame it. And Mark: what kind of paint are you using? Acrylic? I'd love to see photos of you in action. Woodside Parkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13981644571968878448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-49886753756626984832015-04-25T17:32:25.920-04:002015-04-25T17:32:25.920-04:00Dear Theresa,
Thank you for the nice compliment —...Dear Theresa,<br /><br />Thank you for the nice compliment — my head just swelled a bit!<br /><br />I don't think that the engraving effect was achieved in the way that Gina has described, and here's why. If you look at the enlargement of the cherubs, you'll see that the shading moves smoothly in the direction of each surface. That is to say that the lines move around curves in a curved manner, and on flatter areas in straight lines. I think this was all done in a rather tedious way, by hand.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-39665739535351849502015-04-25T14:41:17.532-04:002015-04-25T14:41:17.532-04:00I love the banknote reference for the shading, it ...I love the banknote reference for the shading, it indeed resembles that very closely. Hard to tell if it is tedious brushstrokes or a textured fabric like Gina suggests. Burlap and other fibrous textiles have been used for ages to manipulate paint into an effect. I would love to know more on this. By the way......you are amazing, you know that , don't you!!!<br />Theresa Cheekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11429069123185290732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-57605681046968723192015-04-24T20:27:49.449-04:002015-04-24T20:27:49.449-04:00Hello, Jim,
As I said at the very beginning of th...Hello, Jim,<br /><br />As I said at the very beginning of the project, I am working well in advance of my bloggings, otherwise I would literally be painting myself into a corner! I took several weeks to paint the Diana painting, though I will admit that whenever I work directly from good reference (as opposed to completely reinterpreting elements like the ignudi) the work proceeds quickly.<br /><br />As you have noticed, the ignudi and painting form a triangle, which was a popular Renaissance composition. I'll be adding more elements, but the ignudi will continue to serve as a visual anchor.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-64116572726109503042015-04-24T15:10:38.649-04:002015-04-24T15:10:38.649-04:00Hello Mark, I find it extraordinary that you can...Hello Mark, I find it extraordinary that you can study Carracci's pictures and then come up with your own version, and in such a short time frame. I find your adaptations reflect the idea that this will be viewed up close--the clouds being more distinct and balancing to the composition, and the dog seeming more like one likely to be found indoors. I also love the angles and lines of sight set up between the Diana composition and the supporting ignudi.<br />--JimParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-17171262025305993032015-04-24T14:09:39.485-04:002015-04-24T14:09:39.485-04:00Dear Rosemary,
I have always admired the Farnese ...Dear Rosemary,<br /><br />I have always admired the Farnese Gallery and Carracci's exquisite ceiling, but I have also felt an equal amount of empathy, having heard the story of Carracci's huge disappointment. Rather than having him flattered, I would want him to know that his work continues to inspire, long after Cardinal Farnese's name is remembered only as a footnote to it.<br /><br />And, yes, a trip to Pompeii and/or Rome would be a great treat!Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-32830164754415645752015-04-24T13:53:18.739-04:002015-04-24T13:53:18.739-04:00Dear Mark - I love the way you have interpreted Ca...Dear Mark - I love the way you have interpreted Carracci's Diana story and given it your own contemporary twist with those pretty pink art deco stylised clouds. I wonder whatever Carracci would think if he could see you work, no doubt he would be extremely flattered. <br />When all of your hard work finally draws to its conclusion you must give yourself a treat and make a visit to Pompeii and Rome. Rosemaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03814070177137076757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-78896938878020884082015-04-24T12:32:06.007-04:002015-04-24T12:32:06.007-04:00Dear Karena,
I'm glad you enjoyed Diana's...Dear Karena,<br /><br />I'm glad you enjoyed Diana's story. I've always found it interesting how the Greeks and Romans gave each of their gods such distinct personalities, and ones that even mirrored the quirks of mere mortals. Perhaps they found comfort in relating more easily.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-60844840992395314102015-04-24T10:52:10.136-04:002015-04-24T10:52:10.136-04:00Mark your works of art are just jaw dropping. This...Mark your works of art are just jaw dropping. This is such a poignant scene and very though provoking knowing the story behind Diana and her life as a Roman Goddess! Thank you so, so much!<br /><br />xoxo<br />Karena<br />The Arts by Karena<br />Artist Brad OliphantKarenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05206642885608991170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-8210855080527992052015-04-24T10:01:56.204-04:002015-04-24T10:01:56.204-04:00Dear Gina, thank you for the kind words.
From my ...Dear Gina, thank you for the kind words.<br /><br />From my own perspective, Carracci's method of shading seems more complicated. You might recall that the method that he and Michelangelo used (and indeed the artists of Pompeii) required that painting be done while plaster was still wet. One theory of mine is that he may have put down base colors as the plaster of his fresco set, and then gone back to add the shading. If that were true, Carracci would have had a little more leeway on his details. But that's just a wild guess on my part.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-21147441325384452132015-04-24T09:25:59.887-04:002015-04-24T09:25:59.887-04:00Mark, you are amazing...your talent is amazing! I...Mark, you are amazing...your talent is amazing! I am so glad you pointed out and provided us with a close up of Carracci's shading technique. I can't figure out how he did it. In fact it looks like he uses this technique on all parts of the painting,only with lighter to darker applications. Could he have used a piece of fabric to achieve the texture? Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03429484235583035595noreply@blogger.com