SPQR Blues 3 part LXIV (all)

[spqrblues]

I didn't quite finish the inking, but will work on it more tomorrow. I hope you don't mind that I did a little cheating on this version.







This sketch took me longer than it should have, because of the big street scene—since it's not based on actual archaeology, it took a while to make up some houses. Only about half of Herculaneum has been excavated, and today I felt fanciful, so made up what part of the unexcavated city might look like. Channelling my inner ancient Roman street planner. Like city dwellers in all times and places, when pressed for space to expand outward, the denizens of Herculaneum began building upward, and Herculaneum had the makings of at least one skyscraper—that is, a four-story building.

Comments

[dr-phil-physics.livejournal.com]

Oh, more wonderfulness of box borders -- lines 2 and 3 are gorgeous. I think Mus Running Stage Left and Mus Running Stage Right are hilarious -- and perfectly germane to his wild search for Felix.

Bring it on!

Dr. Phil

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

In that case, I'll keep the art like that. Well, I suppose I'll also finish inking in the pencils in the big panel and in the middle of the top row :)

[kyleen66.livejournal.com]

I really like your street scene. It's nice.

But I don't think Speduon had anything to do with it actually. It's all the most ESM. ::nod nod::


Kissies.

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

But if he gets rid of Speudon, problem solved, right?

...Right? >:)

[akycha.livejournal.com]

I am enchanted with the second-floor sun porch. Did you make that up entire or are there references somewhere?

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

The architectural style in Pompeii and Herculaneum included airy balconies, overhanging sunrooms, roofed collonades, and grandiose upper-level porches; but with space at a premium, such an area would likely be enclosed with relatively flimsy material (opus craticium, or half-timber wattle and daub) to create an extra room. I'll say the hosue above is either a building project in progress, or the denizens of the house have opted for an exotic Egyptian touch. Probably have painted crocodiles on the inside, and all.

[akycha.livejournal.com]

Probably have painted crocodiles on the inside, and all.

*Falls over.*

A dear friend of mine has asked me to paint the scene with the swallows on the wall of her study someday. I do look forward to it, but now I'm thinking that crocodiles might be more charming. Maybe in the bathroom? With papyrus?

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

Crocodiles in the bathroom! Utterly suitable! I suppose there could be an ibis or two lurking in the reeds as well, to satisfy the urge for birds.

A while back I threatened to do some wall painting, myself. My mother opted for "blue" in her foyer, but I wonder if I can convince her to go Egyptian around the tub? Hmmm. I might just spring that on her tonight.

p.s.

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

A more accurate street scene (http://10kd.outsidefood.com/images/20051218.gif) based on this street (http://people.cs.uu.nl/wilke/aquasite/foto/opuscraticiumpompeii.jpg)

A bay with a view?

[(Anonymous)]

Hmmm, sounds a lot like Herculaneum. Be careful what you ask for.... but while you're wishing, be certain to include the hot and cold running Cabana Boys. Something in a redhead with large, limpid eyes who can double as a masseuse perhaps? When you dream, you might as well dream big. DRW.

Re: p.s.

[akycha.livejournal.com]

It's really neat to see the scene and your reference photo. I note with admiration that you changed the viewing angle.

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

hehehe...instead of walk like an egyptiian...is it run like a roman? :D

I think 2-3 stories for Roman buildings are pretty common as far as I know, I don't think they get any higher than 4 (I seem to recall a reference to the Roman Insulae apartment blocks being no more than 4 stories. )

yay! The street scene looks fantastic and the layout is interesting.

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

:)

For some reason I'm spacing on whether the apartment blocks in Ostia were five stories high, but a tiny neuron at the back of my head is saying sure they were. I know they built thick walls with nice brickwork in Ostia, not so much with that flimsy wattle-and-daub stuff.

There's a running gag in one of Lindsey Davis' Roman mysteries about a crack creeping up the wall of private detective M Didius Falco's multistory apartment building, which the landlord keeps having repairmen stuff with a mixture of horsehair and undefined muck until... well, I'll leave it at that. Her books are well worth reading, and she's a heckuva character herself.

Which reminds me, I'm way behind in reading that series....

[kit-the-brave.livejournal.com]

Yes! Get your sword and! No, wait. Bad plan.

*sigh* I'm a sucker for Mus' eyebrows. And yes, "stage left Mus" and "stage right Mus" are wonderful.

Have you read Medicus by Ruth Downie? It has fish-pickle sauce in it...

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

Best road sign ever.

I think I may have a copy of that book with a different cover. Hmm. Maybe. If I do have it, I haven't read it yet, so it'd be sitting on the "books to read now that I have a hideous commute" shelf. And if it isn't there, I'll hunt down a copy :)