The ‘Bad’ Pet Artist Who Has Raised Over $500,000 for Charity With His Terrible Drawings
Phil Heckles never planned to become an artist. In fact, he still insists he isn’t one. Back in 2020, the dad from West Sussex, England, sat down with his six-year-old son to help him make a thank-you card. To keep his son interested, Phil drew a picture of their dog, Nala. The drawing turned out hilariously bad, with wonky legs, crooked eyes, and a tongue that looked like it was escaping gravity. They laughed, and Phil shared it on Facebook as a joke, offering “pet portraits” for £299.
The post blew up. Friends asked for drawings, then strangers did too. Instead of taking money, Phil told people to donate to charity. What started as a joke turned into a full-time side project under the name Hercule Van Wolfwinkle. Five years later, his intentionally awful art has raised over $520,000 for charity and earned him a global fan base that celebrates every new masterpiece of misplaced eyes and squiggly whiskers.
The “Rubbish” That People Can’t Get Enough Of
Phil’s art is the kind that makes you grin immediately. His drawings of dogs, cats, birds, and horses have eyes in strange places, uneven bodies, and stick-thin legs that ignore all sense of proportion. He calls his style “rubbish,” and that’s precisely why people love it. Each sketch has its own weird charm, like something drawn in a hurry but with a lot of heart.
His Facebook page, Pet Portraits by Hercule, has exploded with fans who can’t get enough of his wobbly lines and goofy humor. Every drawing comes with a funny caption written by Phil himself, describing the pet’s personality with the same wit that started the whole thing. He now has over 420,000 followers and more than 80,000 pet photo submissions waiting in his inbox. Since requests are constant, he employs a lottery system to select which pets to draw next.
Phil’s distinctive artwork has also led to two published books and multiple fundraising awards. He often jokes that his second book, “More Rubbish Pet Portraits,” includes drawings that are “even more rubbish than you could have ever expected.” The humor keeps his audience hooked, and the donations keep flowing.
Doing It All for a Good Cause
What makes Phil’s story even better is where the money goes. Every dollar raised supports two charities close to his heart: Turning Tides, which helps people experiencing homelessness, and StreetVet, which provides veterinary care for pets belonging to unhoused individuals. None of the money goes into Phil’s pocket. Every portrait, every laugh, and every donation is about helping others.
He’s also hosted a 24-hour “drawathon” to boost donations and raise awareness for both charities. Three years after starting, Phil left his job in commercial property to become a full-time artist and fundraiser. He admits the workload can be overwhelming, but he remains grateful for the continued support and the positive impact his art has created.
The Joy of Being Awful
Image via iStockphoto/Mikhail Dmitriev
The best part of Hercule Van Wolfwinkle’s story isn’t the money or the fame. It’s how something so simple has made such a big difference. His “terrible” art makes people laugh, which in turn helps others who genuinely need it. His colorful, clumsy portraits have become a reminder that you don’t need to be perfect to make a difference.
Phil’s next goal is to reach $650,000 in donations, and judging by his loyal following, he’s well on his way. His stick-figure pets and big-hearted humor have turned a joke between father and son into a global movement that blends laughter with generosity. Sometimes, the best art isn’t the kind that hangs in galleries. It’s the kind that makes people smile and gives them a reason to give.