Svetlana Molodchenko

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Animals

Black & White

Lettering

Maps

Nature

Pattern

Retro

Watercolor

Playing card King of Hearts and Crown playing cards box by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Playing cards featuring King of Hearts and ornate Crown deck by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Hand-drawn macaw design for a greeting card

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Detailed playing cards featuring king, queen, and joker illustrations by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Intricate swirling design with red and black calligraphy text

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She has immense skills and a steady hand.

Esquisite details, mysterious elegance

Svetlana has vast experience working in the creative industries as a graphic designer but her passion for illustration, illumination and calligraphy is what drives her. Book covers, packaging, home décor – clients come to her for a whole range of projects requiring ultra-premium treatment. From the mosaics of Byzantium to heraldic engravings and on to Celtic illuminations like The Book of Kells, inspiration steps out of the mists of time. Svetlana’s dedication to accuracy, which includes deadlines, will astound you.

Approach

You won’t find an artist with a process more authentic than Svetlana’s. She creates everything by hand using traditional materials – paper, parchment, watercolours, sheet and shell gold, silverpoint, brushes and nibs. Her paints are made with natural pigment, and every detail is considered from the earliest sketches. By glazing her watercolours with translucent layers, she builds volume with each stroke to capture the effect of medieval lighting.

Style

Whether it’s truly traditional or infused with modern themes, each illustration Svetlana creates is delicate and sophisticated. The beauty and the grace of the past, alive again in the modern world.

Languages

Svetlana is fluent in Russian, with written English.

Impressions

Interview

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Interview

What led you to become an illustrator? It's a long story. To begin with, I have no art education. I graduated from an institute in Moscow with a degree in chemical engineering. But I never worked in this specialty. For many years I worked as a designer in publishing houses and advertising agencies. At some point, this was not enough for me and I took up illumination, first as a hobby, and then gradually it grew into my main occupation. In fact, I've always been interested in book design. Especially old books, manuscripts - "picture books", with their handwritten text, miniatures, initial letters and ornaments. I was fascinated by them, their beauty, harmony, strength. Because they "breathe", they are alive, they feel the presence of the artist who created them, his talent, diligence, patience and love. When I look at such books, I feel a sense of admiration and respect. In 2012, I started drawing my own initials. And I realized that I had finally found a better way to express myself. For a long time I did not dare to turn drawing from a hobby into something more. And to the best of my ability, I filled in the gaps in art education, and at the same time in history. Medieval illuminators, William Morris, Herman Zapf - these are my strongest impressions, my inspiration and stimulus for work. And, of course, books, many and different; as well as exhibitions and lectures. Gradually, my professional skills as a book designer and artist combined in the work of an illustrator. That's how I became an illustrator. In short, I am convinced that books should have beautiful illustrations and covers, they should be pleasant to pick up and interesting to look at. Where did you grow up? I was born and raised in a small town in Belarus. Belarus is now an independent state, and during my childhood it was one of the republics of the USSR. There were three large chemical plants in our city. All my family members worked in these factories. Therefore, I also decided to become a chemical engineer. Now I think that this was not the best decision. Do you have a childhood memory relating to art that you hold dear? I drew like all children, maybe a little better. But I didn’t just draw, I was able to very successfully place everything on a sheet (now it is called design), which was noted by teachers at school. In high school, I was often asked to draw a poster or wall newspaper, or paint the walls in the biology classroom. Where do you live now and what drew you there? I currently live in Yerevan, Armenia. A couple of years ago, I could not have imagined that I would be here. But the political situation in Russia changed on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched military operations against Ukraine. This forced our family to leave Russia. Describe your studio for us. Now my studio is part of the living room. When we first arrived, there was nothing here, and my husband helped me make a new workplace. Now I have two tables: one is for drawing, where paints, brushes and other tools are located; on the second table is a computer, scanner and printer. The big advantage of my current studio is the huge windows and a balcony overlooking Ararat and all of Yerevan. In front of the windows, in the morning and in the evening, swifts whistle. But I really miss my bookshelves. Do you have a studio pet? Yes, I have a cat, whose name is Lucy. She is very delicate and does not allow herself to walk on my desktop. Who or What is your biggest inspiration? Calligraphy, ornaments, marginals, alchemy, bestiaries, botanical atlases, heraldic symbols and coats of arms, architecture and engravings along with medieval and renaissance artists Joris Hofnagel, William Morris and Hermann Zapf are all endless sources of inspiration. Mira calligraphiae Monumenta and The Book of Kells are the books that made the strongest impression on me. If you could collaborate with another artist or creative of any genre, living or dead, who would it be? William Morris is an artist and designer, art theorist, poet and translator, founder of the Arts & Crafts movement, founder of the Kelmscott Press publishing house. His ideas of searching for meaning in every image, the synthesis of various types of creativity and crafts, man-made art are very close to me. Making books or painting ornaments with him would be amazing! If you were funded for a dream artist residency, where would you go, and what would you create? Oh, if I had the opportunity, I would go to Italy, to some small medieval town, with the opportunity to travel sometimes to Florence and Rome. I would make a handwritten illuminated book there. If you had to write your own epitaph in one sentence, what would it say? Better late than never. What career advice would you give your younger self? Listen more to yourself and to your own aspirations. What’s your favourite way to spend a day off? I love walks very much. It can be walks around the city or in nature. Most of all I like the mountains and the sea, and even better if the mountains and the sea are together. To have wind and space. But I also really like walking in the forest or in the park. Now my husband and I live in Armenia and this is an incredibly beautiful country. Taking the opportunity, we travel when the time comes. What's your most prized possession and why? The most valuable thing for me is my family and my friends. That is, these are people who are very dear to me. How do you separate your work life from your home life? In fact, everything is so tightly intertwined with me that it is often impossible to separate them. The only obligatory condition is to allocate time for joint walks, or watching a movie, or a candlelit dinner. Do you adopt any environmental habits/practices to be more sustainable? Environmental issues concern me very much and I try to do at least what I can - sort the garbage, do not use plastic bags, use canvas bags. But I see that the poorer the country and the people living in it, the more difficult it is to solve environmental issues.What was your favourite assignment ever? One day I received a letter from the founder of ARK Playing Cards. He suggested that I draw a deck of cards. The assignment sounded absolutely fantastic - draw whatever you want in your own style. It was a dream order! I really like old manuscripts and ornaments, and I wanted to do something similar. It was the thought of “The double portrait of the Dukes of Urbino” that inspired me. This is the pair profile of the Renaissance by Piero della Francesca, depicting the Urban Duke Federico da Montefeltro and his wife Battista Sforza. It is one of the most famous works of the Italian Renaissance, which is stored in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Therefore, on the cards I portrayed men and women in profile so that they always look at each other. And if you put the cards side by side - they add up to one picture. In life, as in the game, relationships are very important. It can be rivalry or union, friendship or intrigue, but the attention of the ladies is always important for men! These cards are the world of kings, queens, warriors and legends. Also I really like the renaissance architecture. Shortly before this, I was in Florence and this served as an additional source of inspiration. I depicted the heroes of the cards framed by arches, as if on a balcony, and in the depths, there was a dark background in the form of a floral pattern - maybe it is a carpet or tapestry. The clothes of kings, ladies and jacks are made in the style of the Renaissance. And the background, and the ornament on the clothes, and the ornament on the arches, and the arches themselves for each suit are four different. That is, these are four houses, or palaces, in which the action of the game takes place. For each suit family, its own coat of arms was created with a heraldic animal, also depicted in profile. And the aces-coat of arms, and the ornament for the card shirt, and the box are architectural elements using the sgraffito painting technique. And for cards with numbers, ornaments in the style of filigree were drawn. Before starting work, I thought what would be color solutions. There are standard colors for cards - black and red, and this must be taken into account. I wanted the images not to be colorful, but to convey a sense of nobility and sophistication. Therefore, at first, I thought to make them black and white, like engravings. But in the process, I changed my mind and performed them with light sepia, adding red and blue elements of clothing and jewelry for emphasis. The Joker cards deserve special mention. There were several options before the keys appeared. One who has a key has power. The key is a symbol of might, control and knowledge, the ability to open and close everything, release and captivate. This is a decision, promotion, freedom of action and choice. So, in this deck appeared two jokers - the key, decorated with filigree and precious stones. Who is your art hero? John Stevens. If you were not an illustrator, what would you be? Restoration artist. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Quit your office job. If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? I really want to visit many places and I don't know where I would start. Probably it would be the fjords in Norway. Have you any hidden talents? Rock climbing and cooking. How would someone who knows you well describe you? She is sensitive and attentive, and a bit of a workaholic. What is your go-to comfort food? Fresh bread - freshly baked soft and fragrant bread with a crispy crust, and a little more butter - there is nothing tastier than this! What was the last exhibition you saw and loved? Museum Matenadaran in Yerevan. This fantastic place is a collection of ancient manuscripts. It was my dream to get here for many years, and now we live nearby and I can go there at any time. This is one of the largest repositories in the world - a unique collection of ancient manuscripts, which began to be collected in the 5th century; manuscripts are not only Armenian, but also Greek, Persian, Syriac, Byzantine, Georgian, Slavic; and incredibly beautiful samples of miniature painting, translations, scientific treatises, maps. What was the last concert you went to? Concert of Boris Grebenshchikov in Yerevan. It was impossible to miss it. What is your favourite book? The White Guard by Mikhail Bulgakov. What is your favourite quote? Kurt Vonnegut: What is it artists do? They do two things. First, they admit they can’t straighten out the whole universe. And then second, they make at least one little part of it exactly as it should be. A blob of clay, a square of canvas, a piece of paper, or whatever. Is there any random thing you consider yourself an expert on? I am an expert in making cheesecakes. Do you have any tips/advice for other illustrators? Believe in yourself. Do not stop. Do not hurry.

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Artwork featuring hand-drawn illuminated drop caps in each FAUN book

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Ahead of the Centuries" written by children's author Al

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Luxury skincare product packaging set with gold and blue accents

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12 Days of Christmas for the Jacquie Lawson 2022 Advent Calendar

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Decorative floral and gemstone banner with black background

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Ornate decorative design with dragon and floral elements around the word Bizarre

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A map of the museum complex illustrating The Story of Emily

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Detailed drawing of a deer with floral designs by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Decorative plates featuring a detailed reindeer illustration by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Painterly of Khachkar in Haghartsin, Armenia

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Black and white lace print with floral and ornamental designs by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Illuminated letter Q with floral and gold decorations by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Hand-painted heraldic rooster and ornament pattern in watercolor

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Page from literary journal The Household Words with floral decoration by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Decorative manuscript page of Shakespeare's Sonnet 54 with floral illustration

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Four vintage illustrations including a horse, monogram, mansion, and tree roots

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Watercolour illustrations for Yerevan’s map miniatures

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North and South," A classic by Elizabeth Gaskell

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Russian folktale of 'Prince Ivan, The Firebird, and The Gray Wolf

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Black umbrella showing floral patterned inside against dark background

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Modern dining room with blue and gold patterned wallpaper by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Ornament with red and blue floral designs by Svetlana Molodchenko

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"Holly. Charles Dickens" lettering and cover work

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Fantasy map for the new 2017 - Cock Island

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Floral ornament patterns in red, green, beige, and black by Svetlana Molodchenko

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A rabbit fishing on a large snail with plants, artwork by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Svetlana Molodchenko

Selected illustrations

Ornate holiday card with blue banner and decorative floral design

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North and South book by Elizabeth Gaskell

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White square container with decorative blue and white floral design

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Ornate floral pattern with birds and intricate border by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Illuminated hand-drawn title page of FAUN

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Three porcelain plates with intricate floral designs by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Golden lion and vine pattern on black background by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Ornament with bird and floral gold, blue, red details by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Gold butterfly and floral pattern on white background by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Collection of botanical flower illustrations by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Decorative letter T with snail and green plants by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Knight's helmet and ornament watercolor pattern

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Black and white illustration for Mallarmé’s Tomb by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Book cover of The Shadow of Manuel with decorative design

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Colorful cookie packaging designs by Svetlana Molodchenko for Williams Sonoma

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Watercolor map for The Tempest by William Shakespeare

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Dust jacket design for The Swan's Daughter by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Custom drop caps for the journal The Household Words

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Indian jewel pattern for Gymkhana restaurant menu

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Decorative border illustrated by Svetlana Molodchenko

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"The Illuminated Alphabet" book cover sketch

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Cover of Chronicles of Elric book with ornate black floral designs

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Ornate book title design for The King of Elfland's Daughter

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Ornate vintage book cover titled The Everyman's Guide to the Tower of Babel

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Amazon rainforest flora and fauna decorative pattern

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Cocoa pattern for Williams Sonoma chocolate box

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Handcrafted illuminated drop caps for every copy of FAUN book

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Book cover with ornamental lettering and decorative design

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White packaging box with intricate reindeer design on fabric background

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Personalized label design for water bottles

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Playing cards with medieval portraits and ornate designs by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Wine label for Andreas Oster Weinkellerei KG

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Typography design for Christmas and New Year greetings

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Pattern of kitchenware and tableware in warm tones by Svetlana Molodchenko

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White horse adorned in decorative red and gold harness by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Decorative plates featuring intricate floral and animal designs by Svetlana Molodchenko

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12 Days of Christmas memory matching game for Jacquie Lawson Advent

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Intricate black and white map titled The Library of Amorlin by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Intricate golden butterfly and floral decorative artwork by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Festive watercolor calligraphy for Christmas card

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Decorative title page for The Old Nurse's Story by Elizabeth Gaskell, artwork by Svetlana Molodchenk

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Decorative Dear Readers letter from The Household Words by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Blue and white Harrods fabric detailed with floral pattern by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Title for the literary journal The Household Words

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Title page of Anton Chekhov's play The Three Sisters with decorative curtains

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Decorative Kingdom Playing Cards box with intricate design

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Drawing of a Indian jewels for restaurant menu

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Double sided pattern for gift-wrapping paper

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Illustrations of Aces for the front of the cards

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Ornate architectural stone pattern with floral and geometric details by Molodchenko

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Book cover illustration with Hebrew text and floral design by Svetlana Molodchenko

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Intricate black and gold ornamental pattern by Svetlana Molodchenko

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