Art Lab / Illustration mentorship results
Explore the creative process, feedback and decisions behind portfolio development — alongside selected publishing, editorial and cultural projects from Art Lab alumni.
Inside the mentorship · Anastasia Mordasheva
How we positioned Anastasia’s work for editorial commissions through tailored portfolio briefs. See the work in progress and her paid elDiario.es commission, part of its collaboration with The Guardian.
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Children’s Book Bootcamp
Nastya Rizaeva wanted to work in publishing, but didn’t know where her style fitted. She built a portfolio with a clear book illustration focus.
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Publishing & editorial
Liza Rylskaya already had a visual language. Mentorship helped her find her interest in editorial illustration and approach real projects with more clarity.
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Editorial & culture
Alla Belova came to Art Lab with a clear goal: reach international commissioners. Her results span newspapers and the cultural sector.
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Children’s publishing
Fidelia Lovely had strong drawing skills. We worked on character styling and composition with the international children’s book market in mind.
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Books & international reach
Books translated into multiple languages, international showcases and exhibitions around the world followed her portfolio development with Art Lab.
Art Lab mentorship · Maria Shuklina
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Editorial & brands
After the course, Anna received a commission for a US environmental institute. She later joined Art Lab’s roster, with illustration credits including Good Housekeeping, MUBI, Brio and The Persistent.
Illustrator Boss course
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Children’s books
Alina chose children’s publishing and developed a character-led portfolio project. She went on to illustrate for Peshkom v Istoriyu and Alpina.Deti, with one of her books published in China.
Art Lab course
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International editorial
Her papercut illustration appeared in Berliner Zeitung on 27 December 2025, translating a complex subject — AI in medicine — into a visual metaphor.
Art Lab mentorship
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Portfolio & publishing
Anastasia built the portfolio website she had been putting off for more than five years. She subsequently secured a graphic novel commission for a British publisher.
Art Lab programme alumna
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Museum commission
After her mentorship, Natalia received a commission through Art Lab for The Barbara Johns Story at the Robert Russa Moton Museum in the United States.
Art Lab mentorship
Interactive illustration
After working on colour and composition, Evgeniya took on an international commission illustrating an interactive game.
Art Lab programme alumna
Culture & education
Following mentorship, Julia illustrated educational materials for the website of a major UK museum. The institution and project images remain confidential.
Art Lab mentorship
Selected individual outcomes across mentorship, bootcamps and courses. Each account identifies its format where documented. Outcomes vary.
Your next step
Bring your portfolio and the projects you want to do. We’ll discuss the direction and support that could help you move forward.
Talk about your portfolio ↗Your portfolio. Your next step.Talk it through with Art Lab.
Let’s talk ↗