When she’s not drawing the adventures of DD in the Woodford Diary series, local artist Evelyn Rowland creates watercolour illustrations of gemstones. Here she tells the story behind her sparkle
Observational drawing is the basis of all art, firstly because it teaches us to take notice, and secondly, to find an equivalent 2D expression for a 3D world. Pencils are great for that; you can draw anything with an HB pencil.
But the realisation that there is more to work on led to the pursuit of what I figured was the most difficult to render with any conviction; gemstones in watercolour. As I work on a relatively small scale, it seemed like a good route to follow.
Back in the day, when one could get a job fresh out of school just by walking in and asking, I joined the staff of a family owned vintage jewellery shop on Watford High Street. One of the chaps who appeared to have worked there from eternity passed, informed me that “eventually, it becomes no different from selling fish at MacFisheries down the market.” Privately, I disagreed. Geoff wasn’t good with opposing views.
Moving swiftly on then, what was I going to do with my watery minerals, and more importantly, what was their underlying raison d’être? These are questions that can only be answered by oneself, and it is those answers that will radiate from the page. I had to give each of these geometric beauties their personality, their histories, and for us, a relationship with them. Portraits, really.
Accuracy, emotion, and knowing when to leave well alone, are the guiding principles. The curtain will only continue to rise by following Michelangelo’s exhortation: “Draw, draw! Draw more! There is no time to lose!”
Michelangelo was right; there isn’t any time to lose. So, in 2011, I took a calculated risk, sold my house in Woodford Bridge, dropped a part-time job and downsized. More time, more drawing. Result.
No matter how good an artist is across the board, there will always be that one medium, the one that truly understands their language, and forever will be their first love. Mine’s a pencil, preferably a 0.5 HB clutch.
Technique is learned through doing, and a bit of research. A glaze of Chinese white over a facet where the light dances, a drop of old-school gum arabic to create transparency where there is none.
Anyway, back to business. I’ve turned the watery minerals into gift stationery; ribbon, postcards, sticker sheets etc. Cool things for vintage jewellery sellers, or anyone else who prefers a life less ordinary.
I might be selling on Etsy, but I live in South Woodford, ten years and counting!
To view more of Evelyn’s work, visit getdrawnin.co.uk
