ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Lera Kiryakova Blends Realism with Cartoon Aesthetics in Digital Portraits

artist · 2026-05-10

Russian artist Lera Kiryakova has gained international recognition for her digital paintings that merge realistic facial features with a stylized, big-eyed cartoon aesthetic. With over a decade of experience in the gaming industry and freelance illustration, she creates her works using Adobe Photoshop, emphasizing expressive features and delicate textures. Kiryakova is also the author of "Portrait with Markers" and collaborates with brands like Wacom and Copic. Her portraits of celebrities and pop culture icons have attracted a massive following online.

Key facts

  • Lera Kiryakova is a Russian sketch artist and illustrator.
  • She transforms real-life faces into stylized, big-eyed portraits.
  • She has over a decade of professional experience in the gaming industry and freelance illustration.
  • She uses Adobe Photoshop to create her digital paintings.
  • She is the author of "Portrait with Markers."
  • She collaborates with global creative brands like Wacom and Copic.
  • Her work balances anatomical resemblance with cartoon-like charm.
  • She has a massive international following.

Entities

Artists

  • Lera Kiryakova

Institutions

  • Wacom
  • Copic

Locations

  • Russia

Sources