THE ART OF OPTIMISM

This illustrator has put a unique spin on popular inspirational quotes and attracted a massive following.

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SEBIN SIMON, illustrator and creator of Inkology

“Like every child, I loved to draw and paint. I made up my mind at a young age that I wanted to be an artist. I studied Applied Arts at a Mumbai college and specialised in window display. Later, I turned my attention to illustration.

I started Inkology in the summer of 2012. It primarily served as my online portfolio and wasn’t frequently updated. Once, I was upset about things not going my way when I came across a motivational quote. I had a Eureka moment and came up with the idea of churning out illustrations based on such inspirational quotes. The sketches were widely appreciated and the Inkology Facebook page started gathering a following. On popular demand, I turned the inspirational illustrations into a series. What started as a passion has since become a way of life.

Every sketch starts with an idea. We see thousands of people every day and each pair of eyes says so much more than words can convey, and this is what I try to bring out in my art. I’m inspired by listening to the stories around me, as well as by observing people and situations. I try to incorporate all of this into my art, as I feel it makes my work more relatable. My art is not complex or replete with different techniques, but as long it touches hearts and connects with people, I’m satisfied. 

Inkology has never been my full-time job. By day, I am the creative head of a digital marketing firm. I take up freelance work as well. But I make sure that I finish at least one illustration a day. It’s just something I enjoy doing. I keep drawing and posting it online, and over time, people have liked my work, shared it and that’s how the word has spread. Today, Inkology’s Facebook page has nearly seven lakh followers. I’ve never promoted my page nor do I create Facebook ads.

Of late, I’ve started to diversify beyond motivational quotes. Last year, I started sketching friendly monsters over real photographs, spicing up mundane subjects like construction sites, railway stations and vehicles. It was a way of letting my creativity loose, because monsters do not constrain me in terms of physical features - I can give them any colour, form and attribute. 

I don’t have any favourite illustrations as I feel my best is yet to come. There’s a possibility it may never even happen, but – and this is my advice to aspiring illustrators – never stop drawing.”

AS TOLD TO SHAZIYA SHAIKH