About the Artist

Anastasia Yaroshenko

01 2D Animator
02 Children's Illustrator
03 Film Director

"Hand-drawn worlds — I can animate yours"

Anastasia Yaroshenko is a hand-drawn animator, children's book illustrator, and film director based in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Trained at VGIK — Russia's most prestigious film school — she brings a rigorous cinematic sensibility to every creative discipline she touches.

Her work moves fluidly between poetic short films and joyful children's illustration, always grounded in expressive character work and the unique quality of hand-crafted imagery. She is actively seeking collaboration with European publishers, studios, and creative brands.

Anastasia Yaroshenko discovered her passion for hand-drawn worlds early, and has spent her career developing a practice that refuses to separate art from craft. Trained at VGIK (All-Russian State University of Cinematography) — the oldest and most prestigious film school in Russia, with alumni including some of the world's most celebrated animators — she emerged in 2023 with her graduation film "Every Soul is a Bird," a noir philosophical animated short that immediately resonated on the international festival circuit.

"I am drawn to the space between the poetic and the playful — the place where a line can carry the weight of a whole emotion."

Her animation work is defined by expressive character movement, careful attention to timing, and a cinematic eye shaped by her film school training. Whether she is animating a meditative noir short or a vibrant children's sequence, every frame is conceived as a deliberate act of storytelling.

As an illustrator, Anastasia works primarily in the children's book space, with a growing body of published work that includes "Cosmic Friends," "Sunny Bunny," "In the World of Fairy Tales," and several other titles. Her illustration style is warm and character-forward — each image designed to invite a child into the world of the page. Commercial illustration credits include work for Channel One Russia and MEGOGO, demonstrating her ability to work at a professional level for major media organizations.

As a director, Anastasia operates as a true auteur — writing, designing, animating, and directing her own films. Her graduation work attracted awards and screenings across Russia and internationally, establishing her reputation as a filmmaker with a distinctive voice.

Based in Rostov-on-Don, she is actively seeking collaboration with European publishers, animation studios, and creative brands. She is available for remote freelance projects and open to full-time employment opportunities in Russia, Europe, or beyond.

Expertise

Skills & Disciplines

Animation
  • 2D Hand-drawn animation
  • Character animation
  • Frame-by-frame technique
  • Movement & timing
  • Storyboarding
  • Animatic production
Illustration
  • Children's book illustration
  • Editorial illustration
  • Character design
  • Commercial artwork
  • Cover design
  • Spot illustration
Direction
  • Animated film direction
  • Scriptwriting
  • Pre-production
  • Character development
  • Visual development
  • Full pipeline production
Tools & Media
  • Traditional drawing media
  • Digital painting
  • Animation software
  • Compositing
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • ToonBoom / TVPaint

Journey

Education & Milestones

2023
VGIK Graduation

Graduated from VGIK — All-Russian State University of Cinematography, Department of Film Animation. Graduation film "Every Soul is a Bird" enters the international festival circuit.

2023
"Every Soul is a Bird" — Festival Circuit

Graduation film accumulates 20+ awards across international animation festivals. Establishes Anastasia as a notable voice in festival animation.

2022
Channel One Russia — Commercial Work

Illustration commissions for Russia's leading national television broadcaster. First major commercial editorial client.

2021
Children's Book Publications

Multiple children's picture books illustrated and published, including "Cosmic Friends" and "Sunny Bunny." Growing reputation in children's publishing.

2019
VGIK — Film Animation Studies Begin

Enrolled at VGIK to study animation under the guidance of Russia's leading film animation faculty. Foundation in classical animation, film theory, and cinematographic storytelling.

Ready to create something together?

Available for animation, illustration, and direction projects globally.

Get in Touch View on Behance