A brief built for a calm, professional space
The client was a professional services office in Rosebank, Johannesburg that wanted artwork with restraint rather than colour, and with enough presence to hold a reception area and private meeting rooms. The brief called for original fine art that would read well under office lighting, sit comfortably with glass, timber and painted walls, and keep its character across several spaces without feeling repetitive.
Because the building is used every day, we also had to think practically. The works needed to be suitable for framed display, easy to install in sequence, and stable enough for a corporate setting where air conditioning runs often and staff move through the rooms all day. The result was a monochrome series with a quiet rhythm, made to reward a closer look without overpowering the space.
- Location: Rosebank, Johannesburg
- Setting: reception, corridor and meeting room walls
- Visual direction: contemporary, monochrome, measured
- Edition type: limited fine art lithography print series
How stone lithography shaped the image
In this traditional printmaking process, a prepared limestone surface serves as the matrix. The image is drawn or worked onto the stone with greasy materials, then chemically processed so that ink accepts only the drawn marks and repels the non-image areas. Each colour or tone requires its own planning, and every pull from the press has small variations that are part of the hand-made character of the print.
For this series, the monochrome palette gave us room to focus on line weight, density and the balance between solid blacks and softer grey passages. That made it a good fit for an office interior where the client wanted clarity rather than visual noise. Stone lithography also suited the brief because it allows a very direct mark, with subtle tonal shifts that reproduce beautifully in black and charcoal based inks.
- Process: hand-drawn stone lithography
- Palette: monochrome, using black and grey tonal range
- Edition approach: consistent impressions with hand-finished quality
Edition planning, proofing and paper choice
We planned the edition with the client before final printing so the series would hold together as a group but still feel interesting from print to print. Proofing sessions allowed us to compare pressure, inking and paper response, then adjust the final density of the blacks so the images would remain clear in changing office light through the day.
Paper selection mattered as much as the image itself. We proposed an archival print paper with enough body to hold a crisp impression and enough surface character to soften the more mechanical feel of a corporate interior. The paper also had to handle South African conditions well, especially the dry Johannesburg air and the realities of storage, framing and transport between locations.
- Paper: archival fine art paper suited to lithographic printing
- Editioning: signed and numbered by hand
- Proofing: several rounds to settle contrast and placement
- Planning: layout considered for grouping and spacing on the wall
Studio work from stone preparation to final packing
Once the proofs were approved, we completed the stones, printed the edition and checked each sheet for consistent margins and image placement. The process included stone preparation, careful registration, inking, press work, drying and final inspection.
We then arranged archival packing and coordinated framing advice for the client. That step is often overlooked, but in a professional office it matters. A clean frame line, matching mount proportions and proper backing all help the work sit properly in the room. For a Johannesburg office, we also recommended keeping the framed works away from direct sun and strong HVAC vents, which helps protect the paper over time.
- Studio tasks: stone prep, press setup, printing, drying and inspection
- Finishing: archival packing and framing coordination
- Handling note: avoid direct sunlight and humid corners near tea stations or glazing
Framing choices that protect paper
The full project ran over six weeks from initial briefing to final packing. The first week focused on the brief, site use and visual direction. Weeks two and three were spent on drawing, stone work and proofing. By week four we had settled the edition structure and paper choice. Printing and drying took place across weeks five and six, followed by final checks and collection arrangements.
That timetable gave enough room for refinement without delaying the office fit-out. It also allowed us to keep the edition disciplined, which is important when a series is intended for a professional environment rather than a gallery wall that can take more visual risk. The pace was steady, practical and suited to the way a lithography studio works.
- Total timeframe: 6 weeks
- Pre-production: briefing and planning
- Production: proofing, printing and drying
- Close-out: inspection, packing and collection readiness
What the series achieved in the room
The finished Rosebank Office Series gave the client a coherent body of work that brought structure to the interior without making it feel severe. The monochrome palette linked the various rooms while the handmade lithographic surface kept each print alive at close range. Staff and visitors could experience the work differently depending on distance, which is exactly what a well-planned office series should do.
If we were to do it again, we would keep the same combination of proofing, paper testing and direct dialogue with the client about wall spacing. That approach works well for corporate interiors because it reduces guesswork and keeps the final install clean. We would also continue to recommend edition planning early in the process so that number, format and framing all support the space from the start.
- Result: a calm, consistent office series with handmade detail
- Best use: reception walls, passageways and meeting rooms
- Repeatable approach: careful proofing and early framing coordination
Edition details
| Project | Rosebank Office Series |
|---|---|
| Location | Rosebank, Johannesburg |
| Medium | Stone lithography |
| Edition | Limited edition, signed and numbered |
| Timeline | 6 weeks from brief to completion |
| Finish | Archival packing with framing coordination |
