Ink and Inspiration: Drawing on the Go with Paul Heaston

We all can get an epiphany at the most random moments of our lives and, for Paul Heaston, this happened very early on. From a young age and inspired by his mother's creativity, as well as a gift from his uncle, he eventually realized that art was something he wanted to do.

Now armed with pen and paper to capture the world around him whenever and wherever, join us as we follow Paul's artistic journey. We hope you find inspiration and useful advice here to help you pursue your own creative endeavors!

My mother was the reason I wanted to be an artist. She has drawn and painted and made things for as long as I can remember, and I wanted to be just like her. When I was very young she brought home a huge stack of pink paper from her office and I filled every sheet with drawings. That was the first inkling I had that art would be something important for me.

But I don’t think I considered making a career of it until middle school when my uncle gave me a copy of "How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way" by Stan Lee and John Buscema. I pored over every page and tried to figure out the secrets of making drawings like the comic greats in that book. It was an instant moment of realization; this was the only thing I wanted to do for a living.

Though we may not realize it at the time, it's often those early influences that shape our future paths and Paul is no different.  

My day job is a stay-at-home dad, which is very much a full-time job. I’m lucky enough that my wife’s career allows me to make art during the weekdays while my kids are at school. I was worried that starting a family would make it more difficult to make art, but instead I’ve found it’s honed my time management skills and I actually draw more now than before we had kids, because I better appreciate and value the moments I have each day to make art.

Balancing art and family life, and anything else really, is no easy feat—but it's all about finding time for what truly matters! As the saying goes, if there's a will there's a way. 

I initially wanted to be a painter, but my interests have evolved over time and now I work mostly in pen and ink. I discovered the joy of urban sketching, and became part of a worldwide community that sketches on location. My setup shifted from the familiar accoutrements of a studio to something more portable. I basically started carrying my studio with me wherever I go in messenger bags and backpacks. I’ve been lucky enough to sketch everywhere from the banks of the Thames in London to a mountaintop in Rio de Janeiro.

When I first started doing these ink location sketches I was only showing them to friends. My girlfriend at the time (now wife) Linda suggested I post them online and that has led to my becoming a part of an amazing community, making lifelong friends with similarly passionate artists, and sharing my work all over the world. I plan to continue doing this as long as I can, though I am still interested in playing with other media from time to time. But I don’t think I’ll ever stop working in ink. 

From the traditional studio to sketching on the go, Paul's journey reflects a willingness to adapt, explore new creative horizons, and share his work with the world by connecting with a global community. 

Of course, the encouragement of a loved one, like his wife did, can really help us see new possibilities that we might not have considered before. 

And when asked about his favorite artists... 

This is such a tricky question because I love so many artists. Narrowing it down to a few always means leaving some out, but if I have to choose, I’d say the painter Alice Neel and Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin and Hobbes are among my favorites.

I can't remember how I first discovered Lochby but I realized instantly how useful their products would be for sketching on location. My favorite product is a tie between the Tool Roll and the Venture Pouch. Both of them hold every tool I need for sketching on location. The Venture Pouch is a great compact storage option, but there is something so satisfying about opening the Tool Roll and seeing all of my materials laid out in front of me. And both of them allow me to do what I love so much more easily.

For an artist on the move, the right tools are essential and we're happy that the  Lochby Tool Roll has become a staple in Paul's creative process! 

If I have any advice for people just getting started drawing or sketching, it’s to make as much work as possible, as often as possible. I know first hand there is just no substitute for time spent practicing in terms of learning a new skill. Every drawing or sketch is a step toward making the very best art you can make.

Practice makes perfect and there’s no better teacher than the act of creating itself. So keep on practicing no matter what! 

Check out Paul Heaston in action below and don't forget to follow him on Instagram.