V. Gladkov is known in the republic as an illustrator and designer of books, paying attention to both the figurative and substantive aspects of illustrations and the organization of the entire ensemble of the book. He is characterized by broad creative interests, thoughtful reading of literary works, and an active search for expressiveness in graphic language. He has illustrated both books by Kyrgyz writers and works of Russian and world classics. His creative success includes the illustrations for the book "Folk Lyric Poetry of Kyrgyzstan" (1962, ink), which correspond to the epic nature of Kyrgyz verbal folklore in their figurative and plastic structure. The precise "hit" in the style of the illustrated work distinguishes the linocuts for the book "Earth and People" by Togolok Moldo (1964). Gladkov acts as a sensitive interpreter of poetry and a master who skillfully masters the art of book ensemble in his illustrations and design for such books as "My Dagestan" by R. Gamzatov (1972), "The Last Letter" by R. Tagore (1973), and "Selected Works" by A. Blok (1974).
