R.A.Vowles: Budgerigars, page one

 
Light Green Cock by R.A. Vowles - circa 1950.
 R.A.Vowles was a brilliant bird illustrator who painted both canaries and budgerigars for magazines and bird clubs in the 1930s and 1940s. **

So far, I have been unable to find little personal information on Vowles: where he came from? When he lived? I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has original watercolours and artwork  by him, or who knows anything about his family. There appears to be another illustrator named 'Vowles' who did ornithology illustration on the birds of Africa and India. This person may be the son or daughter of R.A.Vowles; it is a very uncommon name in Britain, so I hope someone can come forward with useful information? 
Light Green Cock by R.A. Vowles - circa 1950.
 

 
We do not know whether Vowles was a bird-keeper or just a commercial artist commissioned to produce images of winning birds. It seems likely that he knew a great deal about budgerigars and canaries since he was asked to prepare the image of the Official Technical Standard used by judges at shows in the 1940s - 1950s (?). 

This is a very important issue because (in my view) - if these images of budgerigars really do reflect the way that champion-birds were at the time, then the Fancy has suffered a catastrophic decline in standards. My personal recollections from the 1950s, was that the colours and form of  Vowles's prints accurately reflects the way that the birds really looked in those days.
Violet Cock and Cobalt Hen by R.A. Vowles

Violet Cock and Cobalt Hen by R.A. Vowles
 

 
 
Lutino Cock by R.A. Vowles
 My recollection of budgerigars in the late 1950s is that they  were as tight feathered and clean-lined as Vowles recorded them in paint. The colours were deeper, more intense and vibrant. Plumage was smooth and tight. Mask-spots were as round and black as drill-holes and the birds stood well clear of the perch. 

Nests of six to eight healthy chicks were common and fertility was rarely a problem. It is hard to believe that the 'champions' I have seen at modern shows are the same species as those which Vowles recorded in his superb watercolours.
Lutino Cock by R.A. Vowles
 

 
Vowles IV