William
Rowsell

I grew up in the North West of England in Cheshire which still forms a strong part of my heritage and outlook. I first knew that drawing was going to be important to me when I went on a trip to Chester Zoo and sat in the monkey house drawing a chimpanzee for 4 hours. We shared a special connection that I remember to this day. Drawing fascilitated this and over the years I have found that it has opened my life to connections to people and places that no other activity allows. The core of that visual and mental enquiry remains today whether I am drawing a dance class or in the landscape.
My formal artistic journey started at The Cheshire School of Art and Design followed by a degree at Manchester Polytechnic in the 1980's where I studied illustration. My tutors included David Hughes (childrens illustrator and caricaturist) & Tony Ross (childrens illustrator). I then completed a post graduate communications course at Central St Martins in London at the dawn of the internet. This transitioned me into the IT industry enabling me to keep a foot in the tech world and one in the fine art world. I have recently completed a year at The Royal Drawing School on their post graduate Online Drawing Development Year (2022-23).
I have worked consistenly for over 30+ years as a Freelance Illustrator, UX Designer & Fine Art Printmaker (Oxford Printmakers Cooperative). My latest work focuses on fashion illustration, printmaking, drawing and painting live dance in collaboration with a range of choreographers and Ballet Rambert in London.