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Portrait artist Igor Babailov - Press and News, Official Portrait Unveilings: Presidents, Popes, Prime Ministers, U.S. Supreme Court Justices, Royalty, Celebrities Press News Up Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Share PRESS and NEWS For Media Inquiries Testimonials Igor Babailov on the Billboard at Times Square, New York City In his life-time professional portrait career, Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA, MFA(Ph.D), D.Litt.(Hon.Causa), has painted over 2,000 portraits. More than half of these are in the official public, distinguished private, corporate and museum collections around the world. He is the only portrait artist to have received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor (2022) which ranks as one of the highest awards in America with his name read into the Congressional Record. Babailov was selected to paint legacy portraits of Presidents, Prime Ministers, members of noble families/ royalty, and four living Popes for the Vatican, to name a few. Igor Babailov has been featured in art publications and news media nationally and internationally, such as: The New York Daily News, Washington Post, The Times of Malta, National Review, CBC News, the Vatican's ZENIT, Live with Regis and Kelly Show, The Artist's Magazine, Art World News, International Artist, Classical Realism Journal, The Moscow Times, AskMen, MercatorNet, The Encyclopedia Tematica del Peru, Italian American magazine Primo, and many others. PRESS GALLERY SCROLL DOWN and CLICK on photos below for more information Ellis Island Medal of Honor 2022 Honorary Doctorate, Cumberland University (est.1842) New Portrait of George Washington, Official collection: George Washington's Mount Vernon Museum Pope Francis Portrait presentation 18th Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney Pope Benedict XVI Collection: Vatican Museum, Rome Prime Minister Mark Carney - former Governor of The Bank of England, and The Bank of Canada Justice Clarence Thomas, U.S. Supreme Court - portrait sitting in preparation for the official oil portrait Life sitting with Nelson Mandela President Vladimir Putin of Russia Commissioned by Canadian Government and presented by Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada Babailov's Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI, selected by the Pope to represent his papacy at the Vatican Splendors Museum tour and d isplayed alongside the works of Michelangelo, Giotto, Bernini and other Great Masters of the Renaissance. American Pianist Byron Janis and Dr. James Watson, discoverer of DNA Distinguished Fellow, Ciocca Center of the Busch School of Business, Catholic University of America Pope Leo XIV Audience and life-studies in preparation for the grand oil portrait. General David H. Petraeus U.S. Military Commander, CIA Director President George W. Bush 43rd President of the United States Officially commissioned to Igor Babailov on behalf of the G8 Summit members. Collection: George W. Bush Presidential Library. Justice Samuel Alito, U.S. Supreme Court - official portrait unveiling Pope St. John Paul II Rudy Giuliani Mayor of New York City Col. Christoph Graf, Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, Vatican Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, awarding Igor Babailov with the knighthood of dynastic Order of St. Anne ( est.1735) Reggie Jackson, American Baseball Legend U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Mary Ann Glendon, Vatican Her Excellency, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta Amb. Michael Novak Official photography - Igor Babailov and two Prime Ministers of Canada, photographed in the very room where Winston Churchill posed to Yousef Karsh for his 1941 iconic photograph. Supreme Court of New York Justice Joseph P. Sullivan Prince Andrew The Duke of York, 2014 Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Isadore Sharp, Founder & CEO, with his life-size portrait in the far background. Tony Lo Bianco American Actor Hon. American Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts (est.1757) 20th Prime Minister of Canada, Jean Chretien . Mikhail Kalashnikov, Inventor of AK-47 His Holiness Patriarch of Russia, Kirill Governor Yves Fortier The Hudson's Bay Company (incorporated in 1670). Tiki Barber American Football Star Regis Philbin, American Entertainer Bobby Hull, Hockey Legend James Gandolfini American Actor ("The Sopranos", etc.) Vladislav Tretiak Hockey Legend, Portrait presentation Portrait of Judge Seth Norman, Official portrait unveiling - Nashville, TN. Portrait of C.Wright Pinson, MD, MBA, CEO Vanderbilt Health System From left to right: Dr. Billy Hudson, Dr. Julie Hudson, Igor Babailov, Hon.RAA, Dr. C.Wright Pinson Boomer Esiason American Football Star Bill Gallo American Sports Illustrator, New York Daily News Bucky Dent American Baseball Legend, Presented at Yankee Stadium in New York City Igor Babailov was invited to unveil his portrait of the legendary film director Akira Kurosawa at Steven Spielberg's World Celebrities Art Fair, in Tokyo, Japan

Portrait Art BOOKS on the life & illustrious career of portrait artist Igor Babailov - his portrait encounters with some of the greatest people of our times. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA BOOKS LEGACY PORTRAITS Hardcover, 240 pages INTRODUCTION by FOREWORD by Amb. Michael Novak Elizabeth Lev In this new book, LEGACY PORTRAITS , Igor Babailov shares his upfront and close experiences of meeting and painting people from all walks of life: from schoolchildren to Fortune 500 CEOs and Supreme Court Justices, from sport legends and movie stars to Presidents, Prime Ministers and Popes in the Vatican. Official portrait of Pope Benedict XVI by Igor Babailov (selected by the Pope to represent his Papacy at the Vatican Splendors international museum tour) Collection: Vatican Museum, Rome. Buy Your Autographed Book Here Title Legacy Portraits Hardcover, 240 pages Author: Igor V. Babailov Price: $145. U.S. (Plus $14.95. Shipping & Handling - in the U.S.) (Plus $38.95 Shipping & Handling - Canada & Internationally) U.S. buyer Canada & International buyer Special Exclusive Feature (only on this website) : Autographed by the Artist with the personal dedication Please allow up to two weeks for delivery in the US and Canada, and 3-6 weeks for international deliveries. Books are non-refundable. Tiki Barber Pope Benedict XVI General David Petraeus, U.S. Military Commander, CIA Director What people are saying "An impressive array of subjects and deft paint handling.” ~ Dr. James H. Billington, The Librarian of Congress “Most of us at the age of FOUR can not even spell ‘portrait’, and he already painted one.” ~ Joan Lewis – EWTN NEWS, Vatican Bureau Chief "His talent and ability to capture the likeness of his subjects so precisely, is truly inspirational to us all." ~ Isadore Sharp, Founder and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts "Marvelous portraits!" ~ Dr. Henry Kissinger "The Michelangelo of today!" ~ Frank Military, Legendary Music Publisher for Frank Sinatra, and others. GREATEST PORTRAIT MOMENTS by Igor V. Babailov Hardcover, 170 pages Life Portrait of Nelson Mandela in the book "Greatest Portrait Moments", featuring Igor Babailov's 80-plus portrait encounters with some of the greatest people of our time. This book is in stock. Please contact us to see if it is currently available THE WORLD OF IGOR BABAILOV by Vyacheslav Zakharov (in Russian) This book is in stock. Please contact us to see if it is currently available CONTACT US

Official portrait of Isadore Sharp, world-famous Four Seasons Hotels, Founder & CEO, by portrait artist Igor Babailov. Corporate Business Portraits in Oil. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Isadore Sharp Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Founder & CEO Isadore Sharp, Founder & CEO, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts (oil on canvas, 96"x 72") by Igor Babailov Collection: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Headquarters ABOUT THE PORTRAIT The official full-length portrait painting of Isadore Sharp, Founder and Chairman of the world-famous luxury chain, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, was commissioned to Igor Babailov for the lobby of Four Seasons Headquarters. At the personal request of Mr. Sharp to Igor Babailov, the painting incorporates a number of symbols related personally to him, as well as the image of Norman Rockwell's painting "The Golden Rule" in the background, which represents his company's principle "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Isadore Sharp's painted likeness has now been greeting everyone who enters the building of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Headquarters. Isadore Sharp with his full-length portrait in the far background. Photo credit: Brian Willer "Igor Babailov's talent and ability to capture the likeness of his subjects so precisely, is truly inspirational to us all." Isadore Sharp Founder and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts On the cover of Forbes Magazine At Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Headquarters OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

The Schedule of upcoming Portrait Master workshops with Igor Babailov. Registration online. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Intensive Portrait Master Workshops o schedule a 3-Day Master Portraiture Workshop in your area, please Contact us or email: info@babailov.com T October 8 - 10, 2026 (9:00 am - 4:00 pm) 3-Day Portrait Master Workshop Your ultimate guide to Portraiture Norwalk, Connecticut 23 Weatherbell Dr., Norwalk, CT 06851 One-on-One instruction, Life models, Master demonstrations Workshop Fee: $750. To Register and to secure your place in class, please make your Registration deposit of $250. (Registration deposit is non-refundable and can be applied towards future workshops. Balance payable on or before the first day of the Workshop ) UPCOMING Registration deposit $250. (Secures your place in class) Tuition balance $500. (Balance payable on or before the first day of the Workshop) PLEASE NOTE: Due to highly individualized attention, the workshop space is limited, and registration is on a 'first-come first-serve' basis. 2-Day Drawing Workshop in Rome, Italy In the Footsteps of the Master COMPLETED Join Igor Babailov in Italy, in the adventure of making spontaneous drawings from life of beautiful historic sites and architecture, ancient street scenes and monuments in the 'Eternal City' of Rome. Watch him draw, get inspired, and receive personal One-on-One instruction. "Visual Art education is about 'seeing', and I believe in leading by example, so to inspire my students and before they get to their own works , I do a quick, yet detailed, portrait demonstration from life." - Igor V. Babailov Timelapse of a 2-hr Step-by-Step Portrait Demo from Life The Igor Babailov 3-Day Master Portraiture Workshop is a rare opportunity to learn the insights of portraiture and advance your skills in painting and drawing portraits from life under One-on-One instruction by Igor Babailov. Working from LIFE in the A cademic tradition of the Great Masters improves your fine motor skills, visual memory, ability to better see and understand the portrait subject's form, character and essence, and successfully depict their 3-D appearance on a 2-dimensional surface. It prompts you to think and work faster and make the right split-second decisions instantly and on the spot, and not waist time on fixing mistakes. It ultimately liberates you from dependency on photography, helps to discover your individuality as an artist and advance your unique artistic skills to the new levels. If one can comfortably draw and paint a portrait entirely from life, one will always be able to work from photographs as well, and not the other way around, this is the reality! The workshop features: beautiful life models, master demonstrations and One-on-One instruction by Igor Babailov. "In Visual Art, it's better once to see, than one hundred times to hear! " - Igor V. Babailov Each day begins with a brief inspirational "how to" Portrait Demo from Life, to inspire the students to create their own work of the same model, under one-on-one instruction by Igor Babailov DAY 1: 1.5-hr DRAWING demo DAY 2: 2-hr PASTEL demo DAY 3: 3-hr OIL demo PLEASE NOTE: Due to highly individualized attention, the workshop space is limited, and registration is on a 'first-come first-serve' basis. Don't miss the exciting opportunity to study with Igor Babailov! About the A rtist F requently A sked Q uestions The Babailov Palette & Art Supplies Letter to Artists The Drawing Skills in Portrait Painting Igor Babailov's Formal Academic Lineage to the Great Masters CONTACT US

Official portrait of Patriarch Kirill of Russia, by portrait artist Igor Babailov, Портрет Патриарха Кирилла, Патриарха Москвы и всея Руси, художник Игорь Бабайлов Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits Official Portrait of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Russia Collection: Moscow Patriarchia Official Portrait of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia (oil on canvas, 60" x 48") by Igor Babailov ABOUT THE PORTRAIT The portrait was completed under the patronage of the Russian Federation Council, Russian Nobility Association in America and Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. It was officially unveiled on May 19, 2012 at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia, by Metropolitan Hilarion, the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), on the occasion of the 5th Jubilee of the reconciliation and the Act of Canonical Communion of the ROCOR with the Moscow Patriarchate. SYMBOLS IN THE PORTRAIT (the Artist's original creation) In accordance with the best traditions of Portrait Painting (and as I often do in my official portraits and portrait works), I have included a number of appropriate SYMBOLS in the portrait of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. The portrait symbols are: Image of The Trinity , an icon, painted by Andrey Rublev (c.1360-c.1430), which represents Christianity and the Russian Orthodox Faith ; People, walking towards a church (in the bottom left) represent the idiom that 'All the roads lead to the Church '; Birch trees, national trees of Russia (in the bottom right) give the sense of place and represent Russia ; River is a symbol of Eternity ; The Sun (bottom left, above the church) symbolizes Life and Future . ~ Igor V. Babailov Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Moscow Metropolitan Hilarion, the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia - officially unveils the p ortrait to Patriarch Kirill at the Cathedral of Christ The Saviour Moscow, Russia, May 19, 2012 Official collection: Moscow Patriarchate OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Official U.S. Supreme Court portrait of Justice Clarence Thomas (oil on canvas), by portrait artist Igor Babailov. Official collection: Supreme Court of the United States, Washington, DC. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits Justice Clarence Thomas Official Portrait Supreme Court of the United States Washington, DC TO BE UNVEILED ”When I see this portrait, I see me — not someone else’s conception of me. What a remarkable gift to have had Igor capture me as I see myself.” Clarence Thomas Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court A SNEAK PEEK At work on the official portrait in Oil Life Portrait Study in preparation for the official U.S. Supreme Court portrait in Oil In preparation for the official portrait in oil Graphite Portrait Study from Life OTHER OFFICIAL, CORPORATE & FAMILY PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Portrait of Prime Minister Jean Chretien (Charcoal on Canvas), by Igor Babailov. Collection: Power Corporation of Canada. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits Prime Minister Jean Chretien 20th Prime Minister of Canada Portrait of The Right Honourable Jean Chretien , 20th Prime Minister of Canada (Charcoal on Canvas, 40" x 30") Collection: Power Corporation of Canada Portrait sitting with Prime Minister Jean Chretien at 24 Sussex, the official Prime Ministers' residence in Ottawa, Canada Original Graphite Portrait Studies, done in a life-sitting with Prime Minister Jean Chretien OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Portrait artist Igor Babailov is featured in the article "Reviving the Renaissance; A President With Leadership," by Elizabeth Lev, American art historian in Rome. ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome Reviving the Renaissance; A President With Leadership Russian Portrait Painter Spearheads Artistic Revolution by Elizabeth Lev ROME, SEPT. 11, 2008 ( ZENIT.org ) - Contemporary art often presents a dismal picture. Either excessively subjective or simply an exercise in bad taste, modern efforts have offered many reasons for critics to be concerned about the state of art today. But amid galleries cluttered with embalmed sheep and/or glazed garbage, art still gives signs of life. Several artists today still try to combine craftsmanship, vision and respect for the viewer in their works. Painter Igor Babailov spearheads the recent revolution to a return to an art that values centuries of meaning and tradition. Born in 1965 in the town of Glazov, Russia, Babailov began his formal training at the age of nine, the same age as Raphael. Precociously accomplished like his Renaissance forerunner, Babailov entered the elite Surikov College of Fine Arts at the age of 13 after winning a nationwide competition. He ultimately received his master's of fine arts from this world-famous school. Babailov came to North America almost 20 years ago where his talents did not go unnoticed. Today he is renowned as one of America's foremost portrait painters, in demand among world leaders, entertainment celebrities and CEOs. Some of Babailov's finest works, however, draw their inspiration from Rome. In 2004, Babailov produced a portrait of Pope John Paul II, titled "BELIEVE ," and this year he unveiled his portrait of Benedict XVI during the papal visit to Washington. In return, the appreciative Pope received Babailov and his wife at Castel Gandolfo last month. Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking to Igor Babailov about his work, his inspiration and his portrayal of world leaders. Babailov began by discussing his image of John Paul II, today in the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. The portrait shows the young, strong Pope of 1978 instead of the ailing John Paul II of 2004. Babailov explained that "a portrait immortalizes a person for future generations. In Rome, around the Vatican, most of the gift shops showed postcards of the first years of his pontificate, because that's how people want to remember him." So in the years to come, when John Paul II is declared a saint, Babailov's image will project the energy and vibrancy of John Paul II from his first day in the papal throne. Babailov commemorates one of the pontiff's greatest achievements, World Youth Day, which the Holy Father founded in 1986. "He was a people's Pope, so I wanted to make a composition where the Pope would not be alone but surrounded by youth," the artist explained. Babailov's John Paul II is certainly placed in a universal setting. Over the Pope's left shoulder, a young couple represents future generations of Catholics. "Under the couple" explained the painter, "there is an African girl praying for a better future, while on the bottom left, I put a Philippine child -- since the Pope drew the largest crowd in history when he went to the Philippines." The artist chose to paint her in red, "as the symbol of heart and love and holding a candle for light and joy of faith." Rounding out the composition, Babailov added a young priest to represent the generation of new vocations, and a Pakistani girl hugging an image of the Blessed Mother, the Pope's lifelong devotion. On the lower right, he painted a Missionary of Charity, the order founded by Mother Teresa, tending to a disabled person. Babailov, gave the wheelchair-bound figure particular prominence noting that "they are an inspiring example of strength through suffering, like John Paul II himself at the end of his life." Babailov says he painted the Pope as "really a Holy Father, a father to all these people from all over the world, who guides with love." The source of the Pope's strength is visible in the background with the youth day cross, the 12-foot cross that John Paul II entrusted to the world's youth in 1984 with the words "I entrust to you the sign of this Jubilee Year: the cross of Christ! Carry it throughout the world as a symbol of Christ's love for humanity, and announce to everyone that only in the death and resurrection of Christ can we find salvation and redemption." The Russian artist painted the sky above the cross a deep and menacing red, to represent Christ's suffering and crucifixion, but above the Pope, he opened up to bright light. Babailov packs his painting with symbols, explaining that "painting should not just be a representation of a likeness, it should also have a message, more than what you see, it should be readable." He sees his work as "a kind of evangelizing." * * * The portrait of Pope Benedict with Christ seems to have been engineered by Divine Providence. Igor Babailov met Benedict XVI for the first time in 2006, and had started to work on a portrait of the newly elected Pope. The Russian artist says he was immediately drawn to Benedict, referring to him as "one of my heroes. He is very truthful and faithful to his mission as Christ's Vicar on earth and never allows his concern for public opinion to cloud his dedication to the truth." After painting many world leaders, Babailov has several ideas of what makes a great leader. "Leaders are very straight and true in a world where many people live in a kind of gray zone where they are always compromised in their attempts to retain popularity," he observed. Babailov was delighted when he discovered he would unveil his portrait during the Pope's trip to Washington on the day of Benedict's birthday. The artist recounted his pleasure at being part of the visit, as "there is a huge population of Catholics in the United States and the visit turned out to be such a success. Everybody loved him." Unlike the populous image of John Paul II, the portrait of Benedict focuses on the Pope's scholarly qualities, recognizing his Christocentric focus by putting a luminous statue of the Risen Christ before him. "The theme that came to me was the Way of Truth and Life," explained Babailov, "and the composition follows that theme. The Pope's hands folded in prayer lead to the figure of Christ, which then redirects the gaze toward the dome of St. Peter's and to candles and an open Bible. It is a continuous circle that invites the eye to move comfortably around it." Babailov describes the portrait as "a psychological study, a work that tries to capture the inner man as well as the outer appearance." After having studied the Pope through photographs, Babailov was able to compare his likeness with the living image of the Pontiff when he met the Holy Father last August. He relates that "it was a real blessing to meet with the Pope, an honor, but also a responsibility to represent what one has experienced." "Comparing the work with the subject" Babailov said, "it is a satisfaction to see that you have captured the truth." The painter explained that in good art, however, "You don't just do it for yourself but to transmit information to the next generations." Discussing contemporary art, Babailov noted, "Most modernists talk a lot. They have complicated explanations of their philosophy and ideas; they paint their thoughts for themselves." "Painting should educate and enrich," continued the Russian artist. "Modern painting merely offers a split-second emotion: You see it, you have an instant reaction and move on. Instead, real painting can be looked at over and over again and each time it has something new." When Babailov discusses art, he uses terms like composition, tonal contrasts and chiaroscuro, the language of Raphael, Giotto and Fra Angelico, which sadly for many artists today, has gone the way of ancient Greek. Babailov anchors his artistic vision in technical skills he has been honing since the age of four. When he packs his murals with figures, he is as attentive to their arrangement as any 15th-century Florentine. His craftsmanship was so admired as to earn him a stint teaching at the Florence Academy of Art in 1999. "Painting requires skill," Babailov emphasizes. "Photography is created by the camera, and one cannot fully control what the camera sees. So people take many photographs because several must always be discarded." Echoing the "Treatise on Painting" by Leonardo da Vinci, Babailov firmly states that "his first principle is painting from life, to look beyond the photographic image to what the subject can convey on a deeper level." * * * A new project has fired the imagination of Igor Babailov. He is preparing a portrait of the first president of the United States, George Washington . "I live in this beautiful country and I have learned its history," the painter explained. "It is a part of me. I wanted to portray this great leader." The artist says he was inspired by Michael and Jana Novak's recent book, "Washington's God: Religion, Liberty, and the Father of Our Country." "A lot of scientific studies using modern equipment have tried to figure out what George Washington actually looked like," noted Babailov, "but Michael Novak inspired me to look at the deeper aspects of the first president. In this work I am not only trying to capture the likeness, but a new Washington as a spiritual leader, as well as military general" "Many contemporary authors try to claim that George Washington didn't believe in God, saying that he had little more than a vague spirituality," explained Babailov. "But Washington himself wrote that morality and religion were necessary for the country." The painter is working on a life size portrait stating that "George cannot be squeezed into commercial gallery size. He was more than a military and political figure but also a spiritual leader, and gifted with the extraordinary humility common to the greatest of leaders." To model his likeness, Babailov went to Mt. Vernon to see Washington's oldest portrait, the clay bust by Jean Antoine Houdon made in 1786 as a sketch for his grand marble statue of 1791. This clay study is kept at Mt. Vernon and it is the first thing to greet visitors when they cross the threshold. "Meet the General himself," reads the sign. It is spaced at Washington's exact height so one can see how tall he was. Babailov pointed out, "It seems like he is standing right in front of you." "Most agree that Houdon's is the closest resemblance," said the painter, "Even George himself said he was only second in likeness to the Houdon portrait, and General Lafayette, who had served under Washington in the continental army, declared, 'That is the man himself.'" It is interesting that during this, the year of a historic election, we have one artist asking questions and presenting models of leadership, humility and spiritual authority. Babailov noted that "even though these are different times, right now we are particularly thinking about what is leadership, and Washington's qualities are as needed today as they were at the founding of this great nation." * * * Elizabeth Lev is an American art historian, living in Rome. She can be reached at www.elizabeth-lev.com

Studio of Igor V. Babailov - world-renowned portrait artist in Nashville, official portraits of Presidents, Popes, British royalty, Justices. Distinguished private, corporate and museum collections around the world. Igor V. Babailov Commissioned Portraits & other works of Art Master of Fine Arts / Ph.D. (NASAD) Hon. American Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts (est.1757) Knighted Chevalier of the Order of St. Anne (est.1735) Honorary Doctor of Letters "A great Portrait Painting stands far beyond AI and photography!" Igor V. Babailov Hon.RAA, KStA, MFA/Ph.D. (NASAD), D.Litt (Hon.Causa) , World-renowned Portrait Artist, was selected to paint legacy portraits of Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, Prime Ministers, Fortune 500 CEOs, Nobel Prize Laureates, members of noble families and Royalty, and three Popes for the Vatican. Acknowledged as Maestro by the Vatican curator, in his life-time professional and illustrious career as a portrait artist, he has created over 2,000 commissioned portraits, grand scale multi-figure paintings and other works of art for museums, official public, distinguished private and corporate collections around the world. He is the only portrait artist in America to have received The Ellis Island Medal of Honor with his name read into the Congressional Record. ENTER The Ellis Island Medal of Honor Please CLICK above for details NEW Book Legacy Portraits Get your autographed copy with the personal dedication. O nly on this website. In this new book, LEGACY PORTRAITS , Igor Babailov shares his upfront and close experiences of meeting and painting people from all walks of life: from schoolchildren to Fortune 500 CEOs and Supreme Court Justices, from sport legends and movie stars to Presidents, Prime Ministers and Popes in the Vatican. This one is the official portrait of Justice Samuel Alito by Igor Babailov, Collection: U.S. Supreme Court, Washington, D.C. The Only Living Artist Vatican Splendors Museum Tours Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI by Igor Babailov Collection: Vatican Museum, Rome Highest Honor for Portraiture from Royalty Times Square, New York City What You Need To Know When Commissioning A Portrait Painting PORTRAIT PROCEDURE The Master Approach TESTIMONIALS Share

Portrait of Margaret Leo of McLean, by portrait artist Igor Babailov, Collection: Catholic Information Center, Washington, DC Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Margaret Leo of McLean Margaret Leo of McLean (oil on canvas, 30" x 24") Collection: Catholic Information Center, Washington, DC Portrait Unveiling with the Leo family at the Catholic Information Center, Washington, DC

Find the answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Igor Babailov's portrait master-workshops. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Portrait Master Workshops F requently A sked Q uestions Please NOTE: © The essay herein is the intellectual property of Igor V. Babailov and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from Igor V. Babailov. Any attempt to plagiarize the written material of this page will violate the international community's laws and ethics. What skill levels is this class recommended for? Q: IB: Traditional academic training is as important for any artist, as strong foundation is for any house: first it must be built, then it needs maintenance! So, my classes are beneficial for all levels of artists. What makes this class different from other instructors' classes? Q: IB: I was fortunate to receive my sound academic training within the studios of the historically acclaimed Russian Academy of Arts (est.1757) with the in-depth studies of Human Anatomy, Perspective, Foreshortening, and other sciences in art, applications of the Great Masters' knowledge, all put into practice. Consequently, based on my education I do not teach to copy neither my or someone else's "approach" or "style," but convey the insights of fundamental principles in proper classical fine art education, historically taught in traditional schools of art . This is the only path to develop your own uniqueness and individuality as an artist, a prerequisite to becoming a Master artist yourself. Q: How fast will I learn in this class? IB: Due to my own vast experience of having been a student for many years during my formal academic art education (1974-1990), I understand and know exactly what students need in any given situation, as well as how to successfully resolve any complicated issues they may have, right on the spot. Q: What are the benefits of the demos in the learning process? IB: In Visual Art we learn by seeing. In fact, that is how we learn. Therefore, my workshops contain two important parts: the Instructor's Demo and the Students' Practice after observing the demo. Each day begins with an inspirational "how to" portrait demonstration in a different medium, a great opportunity to witness the complete step-by-step fast and detailed development of the portrait from start to finish. Upon the demo's completion, students are working from life with the model on their own pieces under my i ndividual and undivided attention and one-on-one instruction. While watching the demo, students may also take photos of various stages of portrait progression, which can be used later as point of reference in their own works after the workshop is over. Q: Can photographs be used in the class? IB: The purpose of this class is to free yourself from dependency on the camera, and to learn the skills of drawing and painting like the Great Masters did, in direct communication with nature. If you are able to work from LIFE, you will always be able to apply that skill to working with photographs, if you have to. In that case, the artist is always in control of the situation and creates the portrait which goes far beyond its photographic references, instead of just copying a photo. Intensive Portrait Master Workshops Intensive Portrait Master Workshops The Babailov Palette & Art Supplies Intensive Portrait Master Workshops Intensive Portrait Master Workshops Intensive Portrait Master Workshops Please NOTE: © The essay herein is the intellectual property of Igor V. Babailov and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from Igor V. Babailov. Any attempt to plagiarize the written material of this page will violate the international community's laws and ethics.

The Igor Babailov Palette and recommended Art Supplies Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA The Babailov Palette & Art Supplies ver the past 35 years, I have shared the limitless possibilities of my limited-color palette and its "rainbow arrangement" of colors with my students and fellow professional artists in the U.S. and around the world. And I am delighted to see just how many artists have adapted it in the creation of their own works! ~ I.B. O Valery Babailov About The Babailov Palette This limited 8- color rainbow arrangement of complementing colors on my palette, was first introduced to me in my childhood, by my father, Valery Babailov , professional artist and teacher. Throughout his formal university art education, he was taught and inspired by his professor of painting A.Kholmogorov , who graduated from the Surikov academy under V.Tsiplakov , the student of I.Grabar and S.Gerasimov, both received formal art education in the studios of Ilya Repin and Valentin Serov . "This 8-color rainbow arrangement of paints on my palette, was first introduced to me in my childhood, by my father, Valery Babailov , professional artist and teacher ART SUPPLY LIST 3- day Master Workshop (day-by-day) Day 1: (Charcoal / Graphite Pencil) Medium weight (white/off-white, toned) paper. Size (approx.) 20” x 16” Graphite HB – 4B pencils, black charcoal (“Italian”) pencils (2B – 6B), sepia, white pencil. Eraser. Day 2: (Pastel) Pastel (toned) paper. Size ( approx.) 20” X 16” or 24" X 19" "Nupastel" sticks (various colors). One pastel pencil (preferably sepia color). Day 3: (Oils) 1 Stretched canvas / linen. Size (approx.) 20” X 16”. Oil Painting medium: 1/3 Odorless Thinner/Turpentine + 1/3 Linseed Oil + 1/3 Dammar Varnish. Oil Paints: Flake White Raw Sienna Lemon Yellow Hue Cadmium Red Hue Alizarin Crimson Viridian Green Hue Ultramarine Blue Raw Umber Yellow Ochre (optional) English Red (optional) Cadmium Orange (optional) Oil Painting Brushes: various sizes Filbert brushes ( from N2 - N12), round Sable brushes (N6 - N8). Wooden Palette Palette Knife Intensive Portrait Master Workshops F requently A sked Q uestions Letter to Artists The Drawing Skills in Painting The Masters' Lineage Formal Academic Art Education