Speaking with Illustrators, Anna and Varvara Kendel

Twin sisters and collaborating illustators, Anna and Varvara Kendel, are two hugely talented creatives who work together to create beutiful images, primarily for children's book.

In our latest Azutura interview, we've been speaking with the pair to discuss how they work together on their illustations, their creative process, the natural world and much more.

Hi both, thanks for taking the time to speak to us. Can you start by introducing yourselves and telling us a little bit about your lives?

Good afternoon, our names are Anya and Varya Kendel and together we draw illustrations for children's books. We are twin sisters and have been painting together for more than 25 years.

We were born in a small village in the Urals, Russia. We began to draw early in our childhood. In total, we have together received 15 years of art education.

What’s a typical day like for you both?

We draw almost every day and we usually have a lot of work and orders to do. Sometimes we don’t even have time to eat when we have to keep up with the deadlines. But we also love to relax and draw something for the soul as well. Usually, we draw in intervals of 8-10 hours every day.

What’s the creative process like for you both and how does the collaboration work? Can you discuss from the initial idea down to the finished piece?

It is very convenient for us to work together as we understand each other without further ado. But there is no clear work algorithm; everyone does what they want.

Usually, we start working separately, then when we get tired and we change. We refine each other's work and help by giving advice.

Do you work together or remotely?

We live in different parts of the city and often work remotely. We communicate by email and forward the drawings. But we also come to visit and then draw at the same table, to help things go faster.

How did you decide on your unique style?

It seems to us that we have not yet decided on the style. We suffer for a long time over each new book, choosing a style and a technique, and to us, all the works seem different.

How long have you been working together?

We have been together since childhood. In kindergarten, we drew one drawing for two (one of us is left-handed, the other is right-handed).

Now the technique has changed, but we are together anyway. Although individually, we draw freely and without problems, too.

What’s it like working so closely with your family? Do you ever encounter any difficulties?

Work takes a lot of time, this is the most difficult part. There is no clear schedule, because of this it can be difficult to plan something and fatigue builds up. This is sometimes reflected in the family, but then we try to go to rest in the countryside.

What tools do you use to create your work?

We use a mix of techniques such as manual drawing in watercolour, gouache, acrylic, crayons and pencils. We also use computer drawing and collages.

Nature plays a huge role in your work. Can you discuss this a little please?

Nature is a huge part of our life; we cannot imagine ourselves without it. We grew up in nature, we love mountains, forest and snow. We go camping in it as a cure for fatigue.

Other than nature, what else inspires you?

We are inspired by a lot. People, especially their characters and faces. In the landscape, we are often interested in traces of human activity: houses, fences, lonely poles of power lines and more as these are objects of the real world. We also like documentaries and non-fiction.

If you weren’t illustrators, what career would you have pursued?

We often think about this. We would connect our life with nature and sports through hiking, mountaineering or rock climbing. We even have experience as travel instructors. We’ve taken groups or children on water and on hiking trips in Karelia.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?

We would advise you to draw and invent as much as possible. Search for the tools you like to use as gives you greater freedom in work.

What’s the future looking like? Any big plans on the horizon?

We are drawing a work schedule. So far, we have specific plans for the project for the next six months, then, we'll see. We want to realize ourselves in the profession and release many beautiful books as well as travel.