My art was initially inspired by literature and poetry. I love finding meaning in everyday moments that make life bearable. I started painting for fun on anything that could be turned into a suitable surface, such as boxes or pieces of wood. That soon pushed me to learn anatomy and perspective, and with some encouragement from family and friends, I ended up studying illustration at the University of East London, where I graduated in 2025.

Now I am setting out on my freelance journey, exploring ways to share my work and turn my passion into a profession. Occasionally, I take part in local art markets where the direct feedback from people encountering my work for the first time encourages me to keep evolving.

I enjoy illustrating detailed scenes that tell stories and invite the viewer in. I work across a variety of media and styles. While my recent illustrations are mainly created in Procreate, I also enjoy using traditional mediums such as watercolours, gouache, acrylics, and oils. Even when working digitally, I focus on preserving a hand-drawn aesthetic and a sense of human touch.

Within these pages, you will find real-life projects like my winning book cover illustration for the University of East London Creative Writing students, alongside university projects and self-initiated works.

If you enjoy my work and are interested in collaborating, feel free to get in touch. I’d love to hear from you!

kalpakovaradka@gmail.com