Leonard Marchant was born in Cape Town, South Africa. He studied at St Martin’s School of Art, London and the Central School of Arts and Crafts, London, where he later taught etching for 20 years. He specialised in mezzotint and his works were included in over 100 exhibitions during his lifetime.

http://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/jan/17/guardianobituaries1

Glossary

  • Etching

    An intaglio process whereby a metal plate (normally copper, zinc or steel) is covered with an acid-resistant layer of rosin mixed with wax. With a sharp point, the artist draws through this ground to reveal the plate beneath. The plate is then placed in an acid bath (a water and acid solution) and the acid bites into the metal plate where the drawn lines have exposed it. The waxy ground is cleaned off and the plate is covered in ink and then wiped clean, so that ink is retained only in the etched lines. The plate can then be printed through an etching press. The strength of the etched lines depends on the length of time the plate is left in the acid bath.

  • Mezzotint

    An intaglio process and a method of achieving tone on a plate without the use of acid. A large engraving tool with a curved serrated edge is rocked over the surface of the plate covering it with tiny drypoint dots which when inked will print black. An image is then created by scraping areas back to lesser shades of grey or white.