Inner Worlds: Illustrations by Darya Shnykina

Award-winning illustrator Darya Shnykina has a remarkable talent for capturing the inner thoughts, feelings and expressions of her captivating subjects.

Working with a soft and restrained palette, she creates scenes that feel contemplative and atmospheric, often layering silhouettes, reflections or environmental details to suggest the emotional currents running through a moment. Although she works primarily with digital tools, her expressive linework and subtle textures bring the warmth of traditional materials into her work.

Since launching her career, Darya has earned wide recognition across editorial, advertising and publishing, including major features in The New Yorker, Google, The New York Times, Harper’s Magazine, Vox, Polygon and many others. She has also received several international awards, most recently an Award of Excellence from Communication Arts in 2024.

You can explore more of Darya Shnykina’s illustrations on her website, Behance and Instagram.

More illustrations via Illustration Zone