When It Comes to Art, I Never Run Out of Inspiration - P S Rathour

When I started my art journey in 2017, I was only focused on portrait painting and thought of it as a side income source. Things changed when I got my first professional work in 2018 to create illustrations by renowned author Mrs Monisha K Gumber for her novel 'Dolly Won't Play".

1. Tell us more about your background and journey.

I was born in Uttrakhand and raised up in Delhi. In school, it was a studious kid who also had quite an interest in Arts. I never thought of Art as a career option for me as I was not good at it, it was more of a hobby to me.

I graduated in B.com Hons from Deen Dayal Upadhyaay College, DU and got placement in a renowned construction company as an accountant. I was supposed to move to Himachal Pradesh for my job, and it was so hard for me. I had to leave my family and friends.

While working in the company, I felt so lonely, and as a result, I chose to do art to kill time after work. One day a man noticed me doing arts, he got impressed, and he commissioned me to draw his son's portrait. That day changed my perception of arts, and I realized that Arts can be rewarding too.

Soon I created my Instagram profile (@ps.rathour) and started posting my artworks there. I got so many friends and a huge audience who motivated and appreciated my artworks. I also started getting more and more commission works and requests to teach Arts.

This year I have started to post tutorials on my YouTube channel to share my knowledge. 

2. When did you decide you wanted to be a painter/illustrator?

When I started my art journey in 2017, I was only focused on portrait painting and thought of it as a side income source. Things changed when I got my first professional work in 2018 to create illustrations by renowned author Mrs Monisha K Gumber for her novel 'Dolly Won't Play". After completing that book, I got two more projects to do illustrations for books. So things became clearer to me. 

3. Is it a financially stable career?

Art can be a stable career option when you've enough experience and contacts through which you can get work easily. Otherwise, there are many ups and downs, especially when you are a freelancer.

For beginners, who are financially not stable, it is advisable to earn a living through other means. I work as an accountant in the day and an artist at night. If you're really passionate about arts, you'll get through every obstacle in your way. 

4. Who is your favourite painter, and why?

As I started my art journey with painting portraits, so Rembrandt is my favourite.

5. Where do you get inspired to create art?

When it comes to art, I never run out of inspiration. I doodle a lot, so while doodling, I sometimes get inspired by my own creation. Seeing other artists works is also very inspiring.

There are also present-day artists whom I adore like Kim Jung Gi, Karl Kopinski, Marco Grassi, Stanley Lau etc. Also, I have pareidolia which also inspires me to create art.  

6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring illustrators?

The first advice is to always have a sketchbook with and doodle whatever comes to your mind. It is not only relaxing and therapeutic, but this activity also trains you to draw out of your mind, think out of the box and come up with very creative ideas and concepts.

7. Which is your favourite book, and why?    

So, far I have only read books that were part of my academics. But after graduating, when I started focusing on my arts, I decided to study it. Since I have no formal education in arts, being a self-learner is my only redemption.

Currently, I am reading "Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter" by James Gurney, and it is one of my favourite art books because it has so much to learn about light and colour.

Pankaj Singh Rathour
Artist | Painter
Instagram - @ps.rathour

Interviewed by - Geetika Bali