User:NogginHamish/Debby mason

Debby Mason (Artist) Limited Edition Etchings & Mezzotints

Debby Mason is a British born artist who specialises in etching and the Mezzotint process.

Life & Work Debby was first inspired to begin etching whilst studying ‘A’ Levels at Plymouth College. She went on to complete a foundation course at Exeter College of Art and Design before going on to achieve a BA (Hons) degree in Printmaking at West Surrey College of Art and Design. She was awarded one of three Whatman Paper prizes for the most outstanding printmaker under the age of 35 by The Royal Society of Painter - Etchers and Engravers

Debby now has a workshop at her home in Plymouth where over the last few years she has specialised in etchings of marine life. She is a keen diver, both in her home waters of Plymouth Sound and occasional diving trips abroad for inspiration!

The Natural History Museum in London has requested her etchings for charity fund raising on behalf of the Museum Development Trust. An exhibition ‘Tiger Tails & Dancing Dragons’ was on show at London Zoo for 7 years (2001 to 2008) and has so far raised over £6000 for ‘Project Seahorse’ a conservation/education organisation. She is also involved with EAZA Turtle & Tortoise campaign ‘ShellShock’

She feels most strongly that we constantly take and profit from the sea and put very little of any good back in to it For two years DEFRA have given Debby’s work as ministerial gifts

Exhibitions & Work

2004 Aquarium Finisterrae in La Coruna, Spain.

2006/7 L’Oceanografic in Valencia.

2007 ‘The Deep’ in Hull until October

2007 Dartmouth - Higher Street Gallery

2007 - The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

2008 - Illustrations for ‘The Game Cook’ cookbook by Norman Tebbit

2008/9 - Commission from the Isle of Man Government for fish pictures for an educational poster

2009 - The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

The Mezzotint Process Ludwig von Siegen, an amateur printmaker in the 17th Century, first invented mezzotint, or 'half tone process'. This was found to be especially useful for the reproduction of paintings; due to its ability to capture the subtlest gradations of tone from rich, velvety blacks to glowing highlights. Mezzotints are produced on copper plates. The entire surface of the plate is roughed with a tool, shaped like a wide chisel with a curved and serrated edge - the Mezzotint Rocker. By rocking the toothed edge backwards and forwards over the plate, a rough burr is cast up which holds the ink. Once this is completed, a drawing can be transferred onto the plate, using carbon paper. When printed, the textured ground reads as a uniform dark; the areas to be lightened are scraped and burnished - therefore, working from dark to light - a reverse technique to etching and engraving. Little can compare the Mezzotint in the richness of its blacks; it is unique among the intaglio printmaking processes. The preparation of the plate can take 15 hours or more before the artist can start work on the design, but the beautiful, soft velvety finish is so unique to the mezzotint process that it more than justifies the skill and patience involved. In the 18th Century, small boys were employed to 'rock' the plates up and the extreme tediousness of the work, combined with the poor pay and working conditions, sent many of the poor things into mental decline, hence the term "off one's rocker".