Russia National Day 2021

Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Moscow-based guest artist Ksenia Kopalova, commemorates Russia’s National Day or simply “Russia Day.” On this day in 1990, Russia proclaimed state sovereignty and adopted its modern declaration, flag, and national anthem. Although Russia Day has been celebrated since 1992, it is considered one of the country’s youngest holidays due to its official renaming on February 1, 2002. 

Many Russians view today as the informal start of the summer season and take advantage of the day off work as a perfect opportunity to spruce up their gardens or view firework displays. For those with cottages in the countryside known as dachas, Russia Day serves as a chance to enjoy the summer weather with friends and family while taking in the rolling rural landscape, which is reflected in the colorful scene depicted in today’s Doodle artwork. 

С днем России! Happy Russia Day!

Guest Artist Q&A with Ksenia Kopalova

Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Moscow-based guest artist Ksenia Kopalova. Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle:

Q. What artistic medium did you use for this Doodle? How do you feel the artistic style contributes to the Doodle theme overall?

A. I always found it interesting how the so-called “traditional media” often associated with looking into the past, exists within digital space. In the case of the dacha theme, a pencil drawing felt more suitable as dachas are all about nostalgia—these places are in many ways archives, both personal and collective. Dachas are clearly “analog places,” even if there's wi-fi and all the necessary digital facilities. 

Also, digital media can feel quite cold and detached, while a traditional pencil drawing is about physical action, personal experience and warmth—just like a dacha is. 

It is just always interesting to interrupt the digital space that generally discourages traditional media with bits of real pencil strokes. Such interruptions always make me feel more aware of the environment (digital environment in this case) in general, its preferences and values.

Q. Is traditional pencil drawing your preferred medium for your work outside of Doodles? Tell us a bit more about your creative work and journey as an artist.

A. My latest illustrations mainly use pencils, acrylics, stencil and mixtures of traditional techniques. What intrigues me the most at this point though is illustration studies, and, to be honest, this interest makes it increasingly more difficult for me to produce work of my own. Running an online magazine about illustration and teaching are my current primary focuses. This is why my recent creative work is not so much about making illustrations, but rather about research and encouraging analysis, discussion, knowledge exchange and collaboration in illustration.

Early drafts of the Doodle below