Gena Hudkova – Designer

Hi there! My name is Gena, I'm a Ukrainian illustrator from Kyiv, based in Cambridge, UK.

I'm specialising in book illustration — children's, YA, adult books and book covers. I've been working as a freelance illustrator with some publishing houses in Ukraine and the UK, and self-published authors.

I love illustrating anything that has to do with nature and our connection to it. Also, I'm really interested in visualising stories that include young characters who struggle to fit in for different reasons (social anxiety, neurodivergence, physical disabilities, etc.), how they navigate and find support in people who care for them. My first illustrated children's book was about a boy with OCD, and to this day it remains a very special project of mine.

My work process includes a lot of research and observation. I like to work with a limited and often bright colour palette and explore interesting colour combinations in the process. Mostly, I draw digitally, but am planning to illustrate a picture book using traditional mediums.

My own projects and illustrations are often about self-reflection and have nostalgic and melancholic notes in them.

I studied Fine Arts at the Publishing and Printing Institute in Kyiv and graduated with a Master’s Degree in 2015.

Was shortlisted for the World Illustration Awards 2026 in the Children's Publishing Category.

If you connected with anything from the above and have a project in mind — don't hesitate to contact me!