Symptomatica [Paperback]

Ragnar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

Ragnar, a master of the modern pinup, unleashes another volume of sizzling contemporary art. Using the same format as his bestselling book Vernaculis and his sold out collection Chromaphile, Ragnar presents 80 pages of sexy girls and cartoony sidekicks in a variety of design-centric settings and situations. Over the years, Ragnar's work has evolved to become increasingly detail oriented as custom typefaces, intricate patterns and original icons have become major components of his illustrated universe. Fans of comics, cartoons, noir, pulps, movies, monsters and, of course, girls will be thrilled with this new wealth of extraordinary images.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ragnar is a contemporary artist who blurs the boundaries between art, illustration and design. He enjoys significant success both in the entertainment industry and in fine art circles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Baby Tattoo Books (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979330793
• ISBN-13: 978-0979330797
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #620,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ragnar bows out before it's too late, September 24, 2009

By 

Mostly Made "Mostlymade" (Oneonta, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Symptomatica (Paperback)

I am a huge fan of Ragnar, and I loved his two previous art books CHROMAPHILS and VERNACULIS, so I was very excited for this book.
However, when it arrived I found the book full of overly busy images and strange troll people. I was saddened to learn that this whole style of his was an excursion into the digital medium because he had become bored with his traditional techniques. His reflections on where he has come are sad, especially to someone who loves his stuff, as he describes many of his images as empty or without substance.
If you are a fan of his bold,simple, and sexy pinups and posters of the previous two books, then you will be less impressed with this book. The book does have some of his classic pin-ups of House of Secrets and his Big City project, but that is where the familiarity ends.
The second half of the book is the end of his artistic road in the digital medium, with strange, twisted people and busy filler backgrounds that leave one a little overwhelmed and just wanting a simple pattern or flat color. His style has aged and we can see it. The Women have more lines and less teeth, the backgrounds are more cluttered, and the power of his earlier images are lost among themselves.
Do not misunderstand me in saying her has gotten bad in his art. He is an artist I greatly admire and respect and I am inspired by his work.
In this book, Ragnar looks at himself and sees that is is time again to change mediums. It contains the images and reflections of realization that he is no longer making the images he wants to be making and is deciding to go elsewhere, and I will miss him for it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Art!!, March 11, 2009

By 

JetPak (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Symptomatica (Paperback)

I'm a big Fan of Ragnar's Art and this book is just incredible. I love visiting it over and over. Highly recommend this book!

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, December 11, 2008

By 

S. Paul "Red Geisha" (AZ) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Symptomatica (Paperback)

This is such a beautiful collection of Ragnars work. Anyone who is a fan is going to love this book.