Pen and Ink
 
 Size in frame:  539mm x 636mm
(  21.5 inches x  25 inches )
 
Unframed size:   385mm x 482mm
(  15.2 inches x  19 inches )
 
 Released as a limited edition of 250 numbered and signed prints on archival paper
 

In 1861 Gabriel Read's discovery of gold on the Tuapeka River heralded a new era in Otago.  Within weeks more than 6,000 miners were camped on the Tuapeka field, many having deserted work, homes and families.  Other rich finds in the area further fuelled gold fever until 1865.  Over the next 40 years goldmining transformed the Otago province and Dunedin became the commercial and industrial centre of New Zealand during this time. 

Bill Tinker, who modelled for the artist's photographic studies for this drawing, had himself been working a claim here in the Cromwell Gorge.  This particular stretch of the Clutha River is now submerged beneath the waters of Lake Dunstan, newly formed by the Clyde Dam power scheme. 

"Panning On The Clutha" is the third in a series of six pen and ink drawings of New Zealand colonial life.  To replicate the original artwork, the drawing has been printed using only black ink on archival quality paper.

 

    Detail

 

For around fifteen years, up until the mid 90's, I worked almost exclusively in pen and ink using a stipple technique, known colloquially as "pointillism". These drawings, each taking hundreds of hours to complete, were done entirely in very fine dots using a 0.18mm nib.
 
The six Colonial Collection drawings were the culmination of that period. The few remaining prints, unsold at the time, including a handful of edition numbers and artist's proofs, are now released for purchase.
We have selected a generous black timber frame and a warm white mat-board to reflect the colonial era in a modern classic style.

Price framed: $395  including delivery in New Zealand
 
Price unframed: $250  including delivery in New Zealand 

 

(Secure)