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Official portrait of Pope Leo XIV, by Igor Babailov, commissioned portrait artist to Popes in the Vatican, Presidents, Prime Minister, global and business leaders. His Holiness Pope Leo XIV Life Portrait Studies in preparation for the upcoming grand Oil Portrait Vatican A Life Portrait Study, Vatican Graphite Photography credit: Vatican media Igor Babailov's Vatican Paintings & other Sacred Artworks Official Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI Official Portrait of Pope Francis Official Portrait of Pope St. John Paul II Official Portrait of the Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard The Vatican Splendors exhibition Igor Babailov's other Sacred Artworks Resurrection of Realism - Beauty will save the world - article OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Portrait Artist Igor Babailov, Master Artist - Commissioned Portraits in Oil on Canvas - Government, Corporate, Judicial, Medical, Celebrity and Family - Nashville. Men UP Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA PORTRAITS of MEN Government, Corporate, Celebrity & Distinguished Private Commissions (selected commissioned portraits) "We chose you to paint the portrait, because there is no "formula" in your works, as they each capture individuality." ~ Joan E. Stein-Streilein, Ph.D., Harvard Medical School Pope Francis U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Babailov Corporate Portrait Unveilings Prime Minister Brian Mulroney Nikita - Private Collections SELECTED COMMISSIONED PORTRAITS CLICK on portraits below for more information and to see them CLOSER Pope Benedict XVI George Washington President George W. Bush Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr. General David Petraeus Justice Clarence Thomas Pope Leo XIV Prime Minister Brian Mulroney President Vladimir Putin Pope St. John Paul II Pope Francis Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich Mayor Rudy Giuliani - New York City Patriarch Kirill Prime MinisterJean Chretien Prime Minister Mark Carney Prince Andrew Governor Yves Fortier Amb. Michael Novak Isadore Sharp - founder of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Byron Janis Reggie Jackson - baseball star Bergthor Endresen Col. Christoph Graf - Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, Vatican James Gandolfini - actor Michel Perron Justice Joseph. P. Sullivan Thomas Monaghan - founder of Domino's Pizza & Ave Maria University Dr. Wright Pinson - CEO, Vandervilt Health System Cardinal Christophe Pierre Apostolic Nuncio to the United States Judge Seth W. Norman Dr. Robert Kimura Paul Dinkel Mikhail Kalashnikov Stan Danford Tony Lo Bianco - actor Nelson Mandela Christopher Columbus - historic painting, group portrait Ted Lazenby Senator Michael Pitfield Tiki Barber - football star Lawrence Glaubinger Claude-Andre Piquette Regis Philbin - TV personality Bob Costas - TV & sports personality Slavko Acimovic Jack Reitman Andre Berard Akira Kurosawa - film director Frank Military - music publisher Hon. Michael Meighen - McGill University Billy G. Hudson, Ph.D David C. Hill Pete Quaife - The KINKS Dr. Frank Harrell Jr. Synergistics Industies Ltd. Michael Novak David Gibbs Hubert Powell Col. Derek Frost, Scottish Regiment Andrew C. Maracle, Sr. My friend, Valery Bobby Hull - hockey legend Dr. Luke Gregory Vladislav Tretiak - hockey Legend Senator Herman Moore, North Carolina Pavel Efremkin - Inventor Curtis Simic - Indiana University Dr. Robert Carver Bone Lanny Martin - Northwestern University Dr. J. Wayne Streilein Grant Gibbs John Ross Frederick Hart - sculptor Brendan Marrocco Dr. Cyril Geacintov Boomer Esiason - football star Peter Johnson Bucky Dent - baseball star Albert Lowenthal James Robertson - explorer, founder of Nashville & Tennessee John Bello - SoBe beverages Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, LLC - New York City Dr. Allan Sniderman Gerald B. Cramer Edward J. Rosenthal Ronald H. McGlynn Mayor Neil Ellis Mayor of Picton Nicholas Eberstadt Mayor Al Piroth Stanley Bey Jules Plangiere - publisher Ben Tankard - Reality TV star Paul Doherty Other Portrait Galleries WOMEN GROUP PORTRAITS CHILDREN What You Need To Know When Commissioning A Portrait Painting PORTRAIT PROCEDURE The Master Approach

Official Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI by portrait artist Igor Babaillov, selected by the Pope for the Vatican Splendors international museum tour and exhibited alongside the works of Michelangelo, Bernini, Giotto and other Masters of the Renaissance. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Selected by the Pope for the Vatican Splendors international museum tour, exhibited alongside the works of Michelangelo, Bernini, Giotto and other Masters of the Renaissance. Collection: Vatican Museum, Rome "The Truth, The Way and The Life" Portrait of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Oil on Canvas, 72" x 48" ( 183 cm x 122 cm ) Collection: Vatican Museum, Vatican, Rome With His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican At the Vatican Splendors with the organizers of the exhibition and Vatican Curator At work on the portrait of Pope Benedict XVI "This portrait is much more than an image, it is a painting of a presence. It catches the Pope’s shyness, physical presence and strength ... one of the best portraits of the Pope, I've ever seen! ~ Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States Collection: Vatican Museum, Vatican, Rome Igor Babailov's Vatican Paintings & other Sacred Artworks The Vatican Splendors exhibitions Official Portrait of Pope Francis Official Portrait of Pope St. John Paul II Life Portrait Studies for the upcoming Portrait of Pope Leo XIV Official Portrait of the Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard Igor Babailov's other Sacred Artworks Resurrection of Realism - Beauty will save the world - article OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Master-drawings from LIFE by portrait artist and master draftsman, Igor Babailov - Portrait Drawing, Figure Drawing, Plein Air drawing, drawing studies, realistic portrait drawing, portrait study, study of character, old master techniques, graphite drawing, charcoal drawing, drawing on black paper, Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA MASTERY of DRAWING " ainting does not exist without drawing and it is drawing from life that gives the exact measure of the painter. If one can draw [from life], one can always paint! " P ~ Pietro Annigoni, Royal Portrait Painter Self-portrait in the mirror Chief Justice Annette Ziegler Supreme Court of Wisconsin Portrait study from life Pope Benedict XVI Gen. D. Petraeus, U.S. Military Commander ~ DRAWING studies from Life ~ A vital step in preparation for OIL portraits See Portrait Procedure CLICK on drawings below to see them CLOSER Pope Benedict XVI Pope Leo XIV Nelson Mandela Fr. Arne Panula Senator Michael Pitfield Pope Francis Col. Christoph Graf Justice Clarence Thomas Justice Samuel Alito Thomas Monaghan Gen. David Petraeus Nikita Mary Prime Minister Mark Carney Justice O'Toole Hadley Arkes Dr. Paul Stumb Lawrence Glaubinger Daniel Melissa Fr. Larry Dunham Alex Geacintov Dr. Jeff Balser Judge Seth Norman Bill Gallo Vincent Pitta

"Be Not Afraid" is the Official Portrait of Pope St. John Paul II, by Igor V. Babailov. Collection: Vatican, Castelgandolfo Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits His Holiness Pope St. John Paul II " He will stand as the most influential moral voice of our time." ~ The Reverent Billy Graham "Believe - Be Not Afraid" Portrait of Pope St. John Paul II Oil on Canvas (60" x 48") Collection: Vatican, Castel Gandolfo "Believe - Be Not Afraid" , the portrait of Pope John Paul II was officially commissioned in commemoration of the World Youth Days and the 25th Anniversary of The Pontificate of Pope John Paul II. Creative research included references from the Vatican archives. Mr. Babailov was granted an audience with the Pope and received His Holiness's Blessing. CLICK "Thank you for painting the Pope younger in his appearance, because he IS young and strong in his spirit, surrounded by the youth who had followed him, always replying generously to his call for a life of faith and love. How many experiences, how many feelings reflect the expression of the symbolism which is found in this painting! It is impossible to put them all in words..." ~ Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Luigi Ventura About the Painting This painting is more than a portrait in its 'traditional' sense. It is about the eternal values of humanity. In "Believe - Be Not Afraid" the Artist identifies a number of those values, which are portrayed symbolically in the images of the Youth surrounding Pope St. John Paul II, known as "The Peoples' Pope", who also established the famous World Youth Day celebration. Some of those values are FAITH, LOVE, MERCY, and STRENGTH through Suffering. The young people on the painting represent our future. According to Pope St. John Paul II, the Youth are ' The Salt of the Earth.' Regardless of our geographical and religious backgrounds, we are all 'Children of God.' As a family, we must be together in our souls and values. "Believe - Be Not Afraid" is a part of the Vatican Museum collection. By the Personal Decree of Pope John Paul II, "Believe - Be Not Afraid" is displayed at the Vatican's historic Castel Gandolfo, the Papal Summer Residence. "My ultimate goal and aim as an artist was to portray Pope St. John Paul II the way he would be remembered: energetic, 'down to earth', much loved and close to people." ~ Igor V. Babailov Igor Babailov's Vatican Paintings & other Sacred Artworks Official Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI Official Portrait of Pope Francis Life Portrait Studies for the upcoming Portrait of Pope Leo XIV Official Portrait of the Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard The Vatican Splendors exhibition Igor Babailov's other Sacred Artworks Resurrection of Realism - Beauty will save the world OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Portrait of Col. Christoph Graf, Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, by Igor Babailov. Collection: Vatican Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Portrait of Col. Christoph Graf Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard Vatican Col. Christoph Graf, Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard (oil on canvas, 50"x 42") Portrait of Col. Christoph Graf, 35th Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, appointed by Pope Francis, was commissioned to Igor Babailov for the historic portrait collection of the Pontifical Swiss Guard Commanders' portraits. Commander Graf with his portrait Collection: Vatican Life portrait sitting and life studies of the Commander's armors in preparation for the official oil portrait Official collection: Vatican Official Vatican Pontifical Swiss Guard Seal, presented to Igor Babailov by the Commander Igor Babailov - Vatican portrait sitting with the Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. Igor Babailov's Vatican Paintings & other Sacred Artworks The Vatican Splendors exhibitions Official Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI Official Portrait of Pope Francis Official Portrait of Pope St. John Paul II Life Portrait Studies for the upcoming Portrait of Pope Leo XIV The Sacred Art Resurrection of Realism - Beauty will save the world - article OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Official Portrait of His Holiness Pope Francis by Igor V. Babailov. Collection: Vatican. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits His Holiness Pope Francis Collection: Vatican Official Portrait Unveiling Igor Babailov shares with Pope Francis the painting's symbolism. "The Holy Cross" Portrait of His Holiness Pope Francis Oil on Canvas, 72" x 48" ( 183 cm x 122 cm ) Original Concept & Composition, Copyright © Igor V. Babailov "This work is inspired, it touches my heart!" ~ Pope Francis ABOUT THE PORTRAIT "Like with my many other portrait works, Pope Francis’s portrait is more than a portrait in its traditional sense. Its large canvas incorporates a number of symbolic references reflective of Pope Francis: his spirituality and devotion to the Holy Family, love for children and, of course, his washing the feet of the everyday disciples. The word ‘Pontiff’ derives from the word ‘pont’ (bridge) and means the ‘bridge builder,’ so the rainbow behind the Holy Father, symbolizes a bridge that connects the Catholic Church with other religions (represented in the painting by the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey). The theme of cross is present throughout the whole painting. The portrait composition is comprised of five major ‘actions’: Pope Francis in the middle, as the focus of the painting, and four groups, located diagonally in both directions towards the corners of the canvas. The Pope’s figure connects them all together, forming a cross. The other cross is prompted by the bright beam of God’s light that comes from above, between the Dove (symbol of the Holy Spirit) on the right and the Holy Family with the little Jesus in the arms of Mary, on the left. This setting invites the viewer to sense the sign of the cross: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The journey of the viewer’s eye begins with the Holy Father and in circular movement returns back to him, as he gently puts the hands over the cross on his cassock, protecting gesture. This is also his typical posture. I reminisce the unveiling of the portrait to Pope Francis, when he put his hand on his heart and said about the painting, “It touches me” and then he added, “It inspires.” ~ Igor V. Babailov Photo credit: Official Vatican photography Life Portrait Studies, Vatican The papal portrait unveiling featured on the billboard at Times Square, New York City. VIDEO "The Man who Painted Pope Francis" Igor Babailov's Vatican Paintings & other Sacred Artworks Official Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI Official Portrait of Pope St. John Paul II Life Portrait Studies for the upcoming Portrait of Pope Leo XIV Official Portrait of the Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard The Vatican Splendors exhibition Igor Babailov's other Sacred Artworks Resurrection of Realism - Beauty will save the world - article OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

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 Master, Igor V. Babailov - Established Portrait Painting Procedure & Portrait Fees. Igor V. Babailov, Hon. RAA, KStA PORTRAIT PROCEDURE PLEASE NOTE: or a successful Portrait Painting, especially when photographic references may be used, it is VITAL for an artist to have the enriched experience and ability to work from life, particularly DRAW FROM LIFE. Such experience enables the artist to portray likeness with the most natural and life-like appearance which truly immortalizes the person, and creates the portrait far beyond its photographic references. ~ Igor V. Babailov, Hon. RAA F Prime Minister Brian Mulroney - official portrait sitting. U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Samuel Alito. In preparation for the official oil portrait. The Master Approach in Preparation for Portrait Painting Igor Babailov ' s life-time experience in portrait painting allows him to work comfortably from life or from photographs. When the photographic references may be used, in the instances when clients have busy schedules or with children for whom it is difficult to sit for extended periods, or for posthumous portraits and those commissioned as a surprise, etc., Mr. Babailov applies his invaluable knowledge of painting from life, acquired through his life-time experience and unsurpassed 16 years of formal academic fine art education (1974-1990) within the master-studios of the historically acclaimed Russian Academy of Arts (founded in 1757) that gave the world some of the greatest artists in art history, including Kramskoy, Repin, Serov, and American artist, James McNeill Whistler. The initial meeting with the client usually takes two and a half hours and is scheduled at the artist’s studio or the client’s location. The overall idea, size and the wall location where the portrait would be displayed are discussed, and Babailov will take numerous photographic references of the subject, to be used in the creation of the portrait. During this meeting, Igor Babailov also masterfully demonstrates his skill of DRAWING FROM LIFE , o ne of th e MOST IMPORTANT steps in preparation for portrait painting, as he draws his subject precisely, fast, and right in front of the client. "If one can Draw from life, one can always Paint !" ~ Pietro Annigoni, Royal Portrait Painter The Master Tradition of Portraiture Igor Babailov, Hon. RAA is one of the very few artists today who can comfortably DRAW from LIFE (not only from photographs). Thus, his Portrait Painting Procedure resembles precisely those of the Great Masters of Portraiture, such as Ilya Repin and John Singer Sargent , because it begins with DRAWING his portrait subjects from LIFE first, a vital step in preparation for portrait painting . Just like the Masters of the past, in these studies, Igor Babailov captures impeccable likeness, character and personality in a matter of minutes and seconds, regardless of the sitter's age. This requires the artist's independence from the camera and ability to DRAW in the timeless tradition of Portraiture, entirely from Life, which today is a fundamental challenge for many painters. SAMPLES of Portrait Drawings from LIFE MORE Drawing Studies from LIFE The Skill of Drawing from LIFE that matters in Portrait Painting Procedure ... Realistic DRAWING from LIFE is a challenging yet rewarding task that requires an artist to capture a portrait subject’s perfect likeness and their essence quickly and right in front of the sitter. Drawing from life prompts artists to respond to subtle changes in lighting, expressions, perspective, etc., all in real time. It develops the skill that allows artists to make more creative decisions about how to represent their subject, rather than simply copying a flat image from a photograph. Drawing is usually monochromatic, therefore its focus is entirely on the accuracy of tonal values and precise proportions, leaving no room for errors (which can normally be camouflaged in painting by using destructing bright colors or 'flying' brushstrokes). So, in monochromatic drawing, even a tiny mistake in likeness would be immediately visible to others. Experts say, “Drawing never fails, but often the artist does,” this is why most of today's portrait artists shy away from drawing entirely from life, especially in front of their clients. However, it is Drawing from Life that has been recognized by generations of all the greatest portrait painters in art history, as a VITAL STEP in preparing for portrait painting. DRAWING from LIFE offers invaluable insight into the sitter's unique facial features, character, and personality through direct interaction, making it the essential foundation for truly capturing the subject’s spirit and soul. Thus, a rich experience and mastery of drawing from life is a great added value in any portrait procedure and a must to practice for every portrait painter, in order to convey a life-like appearance of their portrait subjects. Igor Babailov's life-time experience and years of formal academic training allow him to complete a finely detailed DRAWING STUDY from life within 30 minutes . At the same time, clients have the opportunity to see the artist 'in action' and his skill in capturing a full of character life-likeness, right on the spot, within a brief period of time, with only a black & white pencil. After all, "if one can draw from life [NOT from photos!], one can always paint", said master portrait painter Pietro Annigoni . Please also see: What You Need To Know When Commissioning A Portrait Painting ) Compositional studies After the initial meeting, Mr. Babailov provides the client with several original, artistic and hand-created compositional master-studies, to determine the best compositional setting of the figure in the background, most suitable for the portrait. Once the decision on the choice of composition is made, the artist professionally prepares the museum quality appropriate weight canvas to start painting the actual portrait. A 40%-50% deposit (the amount of deposit is determined by the size of the portrait) is required upon the signing of the Portrait Agreement and before the work begins. Mr. Babailov travels extensively to the schedule and convenience of his portrait client’s location and caters to a distinguished professional clientele, in the United States, Canada and around the world. A NOTE for Portrait Clients and their Interior Designers Traditionally and historically, a great portrait painting stands on its own - it is more than a typical decorative item that fits a particular interior style, or caters to a color trend / fashion of a moment in time, because the great portrait painting is timeless and it passes onto children and their children and onto future generations in the family. The great portrait painting also stands far beyond photography, because it is NOT a copy of a split second photographic moment of a physical appearance, but it captures the inner world of the person. Unlike photographs which visibly fade and deteriorate in just a couple of decades, it takes 450 years for oil paint to dry completely, making a portrait painting truly a Legacy portrait that lasts forever. Fees Igor Babailov's Fees are quoted in U.S. Dollars and available upon request at Info@Babailov.com Prices are determined by the portrait size, number of people and medium used. Available traditional portrait mediums are: Oil on Canvas /Linen, Charcoal /Sepia /Graphite and Pastel. Portraits of Men Family and Children Portraits of Women What You Need To Know When Commissioning A Portrait Painting CLICK Testimonials CONTACT US

World-renowned portrait painter and figurative artist, scholar and teacher, Igor Babailov, Hon.RAA, shares his academic expertise in traditional art education with his fellow artists and art students. Igor V. Babailov Hon.RAA, KStA, MFA(PhD), D.Litt.(Hon.Causa) Commissioned Portrait Painter Master of Fine Arts degree (MFA) - official Ph.D equivalent, College Art Association (U.S.A.) Honorary Life-Time Member of the Russian Academy of Arts (est.1757) Knighted Chevalier of the Order of Saint Anne (founded in 1735) Honorary Doctorate - Cumberland University Letter to Aspiring and Professional Artists Dear Friends, ALL of the greatest Masters in the history of art regarded formal academic training as indispensable for the development of the highest professional skills. My teaching experience is a direct result of my own years of studies (1974-1990) in the consistency of the academic discipline and established historic curriculum at one of the world's oldest and acclaimed fine art academies, the Russian Academy of Arts (est. 1757). Having started my formal art education at the age of nine, I continued to study within the academic art system for the next sixteen years and had become very familiar with countless challenges one may face in drawing, painting, composition, etc. Therefore, based on my own vast experience of being a formal student for many years, I understand and know exactly what the students need in any given situation, as well as how to successfully resolve any complicated issues they may have, right on the spot. Students posses and are enriched by the skills and knowledge that their teachers pass on to them. If their teacher had not received an extensive classical education, it is most likely that the students would then be limited to only acquire their teacher's 'style and approach', and the fruits of their labor could result in their becoming 'beggars in knights armor' so to speak, as the roots of deeper knowledge and skill, vital for the development of artistic individuality, would not be introduced. "Painterly" and "Photo-realistic" in contemporary portrait painting Have you ever had a feeling, when looking at contemporary realistic paintings, particularly portrait paintings, that they could be divided into two polarized categories: some seem 'dried out' and resemble photographs, and the others look somewhat 'incomplete' in so called 'bravura' of painterly brushstrokes? A true realistic painting in the tradition of the Masters will not look like a photo, and visible brushstrokes will not be chaotic to draw the unnecessary attention either. The brushstrokes must follow the form and correspond to the bone and muscle structure underneath the skin, to guide the viewer's eye in the right direction and in search of the subject's inner-world, instead of intentionally destructing from possible mistakes in proportions. Speaking of proportions and anatomy... the arms and hands in the portrait, especially HANDS, which were described by the Masters as "another portrait", must always be impeccably drawn in proportion to the body with the expertise of the anatomic structure, to assure their equal life-like appearance in the portrait. This is why the works of the great Masters, such as Sargent and Zorn, are strong and never cartoonish, as they have the substance of anatomic strength and uncompromising loyalty to the accuracy of drawing in every area of the painting. Today, unfortunately, the 'painterly style' is quite often used by portrait artists to camouflage any errors in anatomy and proportions; so, we should not follow blindly the praises for such a "style" without keeping in mind that the above mentioned Masters did not just paint, they "drew with brushes", as I like to say. The great Italian Master of the 20th century, Pietro Annigoni stated: "Painting does not exist without Drawing, and it is Drawing [from life] that gives the exact measure of the painter. Drawing never fails, but often the artist does." Let us remember this! Mother's Love (Oil, Grisaille manner) by Igor Babailov The Power of Proper Art Education One can compare art education to the solid foundation of a house, as once it is built properly, it will hold any shape or form you will place on it. This is why it is not sufficient to acquire just any art education, it must be rather a proper classical art education. As in parallel with painting, it also teaches you DRAWING which IS the core of any strong realistic painting. Having a broad and well-rounded academic formation, is a source ofstrength for every artist. First and foremost, it is the application of the academic principles in every subject we draw that we must learn to see. Wouldn't you like to have total confidence in yourself as an artist and to be able to draw and paint realistically entirely from life and/or from your imagination, absolutely anything and be totally comfortable without the use of the camera, when portraying any subject in any genre: portrait, landscape or multi-figurative composition? The academic method, or someone's "style"? In art education, the academic method of learning is universal and also economical. It saves you time and money in the long run and the trouble of trying to build what you need, out of bits and pieces from various workshops by different instructors who, due to the lack of their own education, teach their "approach", instead of classical foundation. Different instructors' personal approaches and their often complicated palettes, may 'clash' with each other and result in confusion and an unclear direction for students. It is like attempting to learn how to write using both hands at the same time. How far would you go? If you want to learn fast and efficiently, proper academic instruction in the principles of classical academic curriculum, should be your focus. It is accessible, straight forward and recognized for its most effective teaching of composition, perspective, foreshortenings, anatomy and tonal values. All the Masters of the past did just that. Despite their different geographic backgrounds, they all went through the same universal academic art training, as prerequisite for the development of high drawing skills, artistic individuality and, eventually, becoming the Masters. Bouguereau, Zorn, Repin are known for their very distinct individual styles, yet that was not what they learned during their academy training, not the 'styles', but the very same alphabet of the academic art language, and spoke it fluently in their own ways. Zorn Studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts Bouguereau Studied at the École des Beaux-Arts, Paris Repin Studied at the Russian Imperial Academy of Arts Sharing the Historic Russian School of Traditional Art Education Since 1974 through 1990, I was very fortunate to study and receive distinguished art degrees from the Russian Academy of Arts (founded in 1757). My friend Amb. Michael Novak, Templeton Prize recipient and world-renowned American scholar, once stated: "One good thing that came out of the Iron Curtain, was the outstanding Russian art education!" When Modernism was already marching for decades throughout Western Europe and North America, the Russian School of Art was the only historic school in the world, which remained free of Modernist influence, as behind the 'iron curtain' it kept its academic roots intact and preserved the best of classical academic education. Art education is like reading the Bible, over and over again, building on what you know and always learning something new. That is why my classes are not limited to so-called 'levels' of instruction. I share with my students the IN-SIGHT of my formal art education, which covers a broad spectrum of critical issues, highly beneficial to all artists, students and professionals, who aim to improve and polish their skills in drawing and painting. Leonardo da Vinci once wrote, 'Poor is a student, who doesn’t go further than their teacher.' Just like Leonardo, I also believe that there must be no secrets whatsoever and I share with my students one hundred percent of everything I have learned during my own academic years in the classrooms and studios of the historically acclaimed Academy. For God, Gold and Glory The Arrival of Christopher Columbus and his crew in the Americas (oil on canvas, 72" x 79") by Igor Babailov Master Workshops' Agenda My workshops contain two important parts: The Instructor's Demo and The Students' Practice after observing the demo. In Visual Art we learn by seeing. In fact, that is how we learn. Therefore, within my workshop program, I do three separate 1.5 - 3 hour (quick and highly detailed) life demonstrations in Drawing, Pastel and Oil, each in the approach of the academic training. This is a great opportunity for students to witness the progression of portraits from life in different mediums, from start to completion. My goal, as your instructor, is to simply show you and teach you 'right' from 'wrong', so you can quickly get on the right and your own artistic path towards advancing your individual skills where 'the sky is the limit'. Following my demo, inspired students work on their own pieces, and every student receives my personal and individual attention according to their needs and specific requirements. For more information and to see the schedule of my upcoming workshops, please refer to the Workshops page on my website www.Babailov.com . To register, please inquire at info@Babailov.com or you may register online HERE . I look forward to seeing you in class! Most sincerely, SHARE THIS © 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. 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New York Daily News writes an article about portrait artist Igor Babailov and his offiicial portrait of Pope Benedict XVI. BY DAVE GOLDINER DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Tuesday, April 15th 2008, 4:00 AM New York, NY Pontiff's aura colors artist's image Pope Benedict 's official portrait will be unveiled on Tuesday night - and the artist hopes it provides a unique window into the pontiff's soul. Painter Igor Babailov says he labored to create a realistic image of the holy father, but also to convey the inner power that lets him inspire billions of people worldwide. "There is this special aura about him," Babailov, 43, said Monday. "When he touches you, something special happens in the room." Benedict, who sat for several preliminary sketches with Babailov, will see the finished portrait for the first time tonight at the Vatican ambassador's residence in Washington . The life-size work of art depicts the pontiff, hands clasped in front of him, standing next to Jesus - images meant to show the power of faith and prayer. "We're all God's children," Babailov said. "We are all special people, and the Pope is no different." The painting is like an early birthday present for the Pope, who turns 81 tomorrow. It drew rave reviews from Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Vatican's ambassador to the U.S. "It is much more than an image but rather a painting of a presence," Sambi said. Babailov grew up in Russia in a family of artists. He is no stranger to painting famous people: He has done portraits of President Bush , Nelson Mandela , Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani . Perhaps Babailov's most important assignment was a portrait of Pope John Paul II in 2003. The late pontiff loved the work so much that he had it moved to his Vatican apartment as he lay on his deathbed. Babailov journeyed to Rome 18 months ago to start working on a half-dozen sketches of the regal-looking Pope Benedict. "It's a luxury to have so much time, especially with someone so important and busy," he said. "You have to get a feel for the person." dgoldiner@nydailynews.com With Bill Gallo

Official Portrait of Brian Mulroney, 18th Prime Minister of Canada, by Igor V. Babailov. Collection: House of Commons, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Canada. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits Prime Minister Brian Mulroney 18th Prime Minister of Canada Official Portrait of The Rt. Honourable Brian Mulroney 18th Prime Minister of Canada (Oil on Canvas, 48" x 40") Official Collection: House of Commons, Parliament Hill, Ottawa CLICK Official portrait painting sitting at the Artist's Studio On the occasion of the portrait unveiling, the official photograph with two Prime Ministers of Canada, the Right Honorable Brian Mulroney and the Right Honorable Jean Chretien, was taken in the very room where Winston Churchill posed for his iconic photograph in 1941. Winston Churchill official photograph by Yousuf Karsh (1941). Collection: House of Commons, Ottawa, Canada. Graphite portrait studies from Life, in preparation for the official oil portrait painting Photo credit: Canadian press (nationalobserver.com) Official collection: House of Commons, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Canada OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov