Roland Batchelor Rws (1889 - 1990) - A Sketchbook of Watercolours and Pen and Ink Drawings

Bernard William Roland Batchelor continues to be a much-loved artist, primarily because he could capture a scene full of warmth, movement and spontaneity with such a lightness of touch. These qualities are very evident in this small group of six watercolours and pen and ink drawings contained within a sketchbook that belonged to Roland, and then by descent to his son, Bernard. (see initials on the front cover). As you can see, the sketchbook was originally for subjects in and around Richmond, but one or two are from his journeys abroad. Whether he was painting in Richmond upon Thames or in his beloved rural France, Roland had a wonderful ability to convey human interaction with a perfect blend of humour and realism. His medium of choice, especially in his later years, was watercolour. However, he was also a very talented etcher and illustrator. Roland was born in London and from an early age began to paint. He was a civil servant from 1905-49, painting and studying in his spare time, firstly at Putney School of Art, under George Morrow (q.v.) and, after serving during WWI, at Regent Street Polytechnic School of Art with Harry Watson (q.v.). After retiring he had further tuition with A R Middleton Todd at the City and Guilds of London School. He exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy and the Royal Watercolour Society, of which he became a member in 1966. He was a Francophile and recorded ordinary French life in watercolours and numerous notebooks. He lived in St Margaret's on Thames, Middlesex. His son was the artist Bernard Batchelor (1924-2012). His work is held by the V&A Museum as well as the British Museum.

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