Artist known for his 'rubbish' pet drawings to take on 24-hour drawing challenge

An artist known for his “rubbish” portraits is set to take on a 24-hour “drawathon” for charity.

Hercule Van Wolfwinkle, known for his unique drawing of pets, will create dozens of his drawings without rest in a bid to raise thousands for homelessness charity Turning Tides and pet charity StreetVet.

The Worthing painter, whose real name is Phil Heckels, will be livestreaming his efforts to raise further money.

A spokeswoman for Turning Tides said: “Hercule’s extraordinary fundraising efforts continue to astound us. To date, he has raised an incredible £200,000 in support of Turning Tides.

Phil Heckels, also known as Hercule Van Wolfwinkle (Image: Argus Archives)

“The funds raised directly support lifesaving work within our specialised services. Hercule’s limitless creativity and unmatched wit consistently delight his followers.

“We express boundless gratitude and wholeheartedly support him as he takes on this monumental challenge.”

Hercule will draw from 7pm on Friday, July 12 at Turning Tides’s St Clare’s Community Hub in Marine Place, Worthing before moving to Colonnade House in Worthing at 10am on Saturday, July 13.

The event will then end with a public display on Sunday, July 14 between 10am and 2pm.

Pet owners can have their animal drawn by donating to Hercule’s fundraising page and emailing him at hello@herculewolfwinkle.co.uk by midnight on Thursday, July 11.