Swaling
66 x 54 cm framed original botanical ink specimen with letterpress printing
About
If you've visited Dartmoor over winter, you are likely familiar with the lines of fire across the open moor. These controlled burns, known locally as swaling, are an ancient land management practice and still used today on Dartmoor. The earliest historical record is the end of the fourteenth century, but the paleo-environmental record suggests it has been happening for thousands of years. The burning is primarily used to reduce overgrowth of gorse bushes and other vegetation, and promotes new growth, which is more palatable to the upland livestock.
The abstract image was created from ink made from oak galls we collected on Dartmoor. The line of fire was created by adding a line of rust water, and then baking soda to unmodified oak gall ink. A truly unique piece that captures the dynamic nature of a swaling fire.
The oak galls for the botanical ink were all collected on Dartmoor. The text is entirely handset from wood and metal type. The printing was completed in our Princetown studio on our Soldans cylinder proofing press -- the largest known hand-powered proofing press of its kind remaining in the UK.
This is the second collection in our Wild Colour series, and the first collection to feature large works.
This piece is available for sale through MAKE Southwest, where we are Maker Members.
One of fourteen original works in this collection.
66 x 54 cm framed original botanical ink specimen with letterpress printing
About
If you've visited Dartmoor over winter, you are likely familiar with the lines of fire across the open moor. These controlled burns, known locally as swaling, are an ancient land management practice and still used today on Dartmoor. The earliest historical record is the end of the fourteenth century, but the paleo-environmental record suggests it has been happening for thousands of years. The burning is primarily used to reduce overgrowth of gorse bushes and other vegetation, and promotes new growth, which is more palatable to the upland livestock.
The abstract image was created from ink made from oak galls we collected on Dartmoor. The line of fire was created by adding a line of rust water, and then baking soda to unmodified oak gall ink. A truly unique piece that captures the dynamic nature of a swaling fire.
The oak galls for the botanical ink were all collected on Dartmoor. The text is entirely handset from wood and metal type. The printing was completed in our Princetown studio on our Soldans cylinder proofing press -- the largest known hand-powered proofing press of its kind remaining in the UK.
This is the second collection in our Wild Colour series, and the first collection to feature large works.
This piece is available for sale through MAKE Southwest, where we are Maker Members.
One of fourteen original works in this collection.
- Original botanical ink painting with hand-printed letterpress text
- Handmade watercolour paper by Barcham Green (watermarked 1981)
- Paper treated with stabilising mordant to extend botanical ink permanence
- Artwork dimensions: 40 x 56 cm
- Frame dimensions:
- Float mount with UV-protective glass
- Framed by Art Trade Guild G.C.F Qualified conservation framers
£950 including professional conservation framing.
- Original botanical ink painting with hand-printed letterpress text
- Handmade watercolour paper by Barcham Green (watermarked 1981)
- Paper treated with stabilising mordant to extend botanical ink permanence
- Artwork dimensions: 40 x 56 cm
- Frame dimensions:
- Float mount with UV-protective glass
- Framed by Art Trade Guild G.C.F Qualified conservation framers
£950 including professional conservation framing.
Price includes professional packing and shipping within the UK. International shipping will be priced and invoiced separately. Free local delivery within 2 hours of Princetown. Please allow 3 weeks for delivery. If the piece arrives damaged, please notify us immediately by email (information will be in the package) and we will discuss next steps (reframe, or full refund).
Price includes professional packing and shipping within the UK. International shipping will be priced and invoiced separately. Free local delivery within 2 hours of Princetown. Please allow 3 weeks for delivery. If the piece arrives damaged, please notify us immediately by email (information will be in the package) and we will discuss next steps (reframe, or full refund).
If, for any reason, you decide this work isn't for you on receiving it, you may return the work for a full refund within 14 days. This is your right by law (link opens in a new window). In the case of returns: we will arrange an art courier to collect from you. The cost of this return shipment will be deducted from your refund.
If, for any reason, you decide this work isn't for you on receiving it, you may return the work for a full refund within 14 days. This is your right by law (link opens in a new window). In the case of returns: we will arrange an art courier to collect from you. The cost of this return shipment will be deducted from your refund.
If you need help installing this piece, we are able to quote separately for this work. Please get in touch (studio@princetownpress.co.uk)!
If you need help installing this piece, we are able to quote separately for this work. Please get in touch (studio@princetownpress.co.uk)!
Care for this piece is the same as all other art: hang out of direct light and away from a direct source of heat.
Care for this piece is the same as all other art: hang out of direct light and away from a direct source of heat.
Oak gall ink has been used as official record keeping ink for hundreds of years due to its permanence. We anticipate the botanical ink will change over time. Every precaution has been taken to slow this inevitable change, including pretreating the paper, and using UV-protective art glass for the framing. Still, we encourage you to take a photo of the work every year on its anniversary so that you can record its progression over time. The letterpress ink is a custom blend from British ink makers, Hawthorn, and rated above 5 on the Blue Wool Scale and rated at the level needed for artists.
Oak gall ink has been used as official record keeping ink for hundreds of years due to its permanence. We anticipate the botanical ink will change over time. Every precaution has been taken to slow this inevitable change, including pretreating the paper, and using UV-protective art glass for the framing. Still, we encourage you to take a photo of the work every year on its anniversary so that you can record its progression over time. The letterpress ink is a custom blend from British ink makers, Hawthorn, and rated above 5 on the Blue Wool Scale and rated at the level needed for artists.