Sabbi Gavrailov is a UK-based oil painter specialising in equestrian and portrait art. 
His work combines classical technique with emotional depth, capturing the power of horses and the personality of people through rich, detailed brushwork.

Originally from Bulgaria and now working in Hertfordshire, Sabbi is a self-taught artist with a distinct lineage, a distant relative of Zlatyu Boyadzhiev, one of Bulgaria’s most celebrated painters.

He began his early development under the mentorship of contemporary Bulgarian artist Geno Lazarov.

Sabbi’s portraits have won multiple awards, including the “Visitors' Choice Award” at the Harpenden Art Club Annual Exhibition in 2021, 2022, and 2024. His work has been recognised internationally for its excellence in figurative and portrait painting.

In 2023, he launched his solo exhibition Roots at the Private Gallery and Art Museum Dimitar Georgiev (Plovdiv), followed by a public invitation from the Mayor of Brezovo to present it during the town’s cultural festival.

Working exclusively in oils, Sabbi develops his compositions from sketches and photographs, often attending workshops and live demos to refine his craft and share his techniques.

His equestrian and portrait commissions are held in private collections across Europe, the Middle East, South America, a reflection of his global appeal and refined, timeless style.

Oil Painting Workshops

Immerse yourself in the art of oil painting with my structured workshops. These sessions are designed for artists eager to refine their technique, deepen their understanding of composition, and explore expressive brushwork. Each workshop focuses on classical principles blended with contemporary interpretation. All materials are provided, and group sizes are limited to ensure personal attention.

Live Art Demonstrations

I offer engaging live art demonstrations for art societies, galleries, and educational institutions. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to observe my complete painting process in real-time—from the initial sketch to the final layers. I provide detailed explanations of palette choices, mediums, and Old Masters-inspired techniques. Demonstrations can be tailored to themes such as portraiture, equestrian art, or still-life painting.

Private Oil Painting Tuition

For artists seeking focused, one-to-one guidance, I provide private oil painting tuition tailored to your individual goals. Whether you are a beginner learning fundamentals or an experienced painter developing a personal style, sessions can cover technical mastery, composition, colour theory, or the subtleties of capturing character and atmosphere. Tuition is available in person or online by arrangement.

For enquiries or bookings, please get in touch.

 2025

• HAC Annual Exhibition-Harpenden, UK, Nov 
• Piano and Art-Live demonstration for a private community, Oct, Charity Initiative 
• Almenara Art Prize-Participant, Aug
• Live Demonstration and Solo Exhibition-Leverstock Green, (Charity Event-Support the Community), May
• Artists & Makers Exhibition -Berkhamsted, UK, March

2024

• Portrait in Oils Demonstration-Harpenden Art Club, Nov
• Piano and Art-Live demonstration for a private community, Oct, Charity Initiative
• HAC Annual Exhibition-Harpenden, UK, Oct 
• Aldenham Art Festival, UK -September
• Visual Artist Asociation-Annual Open Competition
• Teravarna 8th Figurative International Juried Art Competition and Exhibition-LA, California 
• Seminar & Solo Exhibition-Portrait, Zlatyu Boyadzhiev House- Brezovo, Bulgaria, April
• Teravarna 6th Still-Life International Juried Art Competition and Exhibition-LA, California
• Live demonstration and workshop, Zlatyu Boyadzhiev House- Brezovo, Bulgaria, January

2023

• Teravarna 8th Portrait International Juried Art Competition and Exhibition-LA, California, Dec
• Teravarna 7th Figurative International Juried Art Competition and Exhibition-LA, California, Nov
• HAC Annual Exhibition-Harpenden, UK, Oct 
• Portrait in Oils-Guest speaker and Demonstration-Harpenden Art Club, Sept 
• Aldenham Art Festival, UK, Sept
• Roots Solo Exhibition -120th Anniversary Zlatyu Boyadzhiev - Brezovo, Bulgaria, Sept
• Letchworth Open 2023, UK -August, Oct
• Art in the Nave, Hemel Hempstead, UK, Aug
• Teravarna 6th Figurative International Juried Art Competition and Exhibition -California, Aug
• Teravarna 7th Portrait International Juried Art Competition and Exhibition - LA, California, July
• Roots Solo Exhibition - Dimitar Georgiev Gallery, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, May
• R Young Gallery-Spring-Summer Exhibition, Wokingham, UK  

2022

• Guest Speaker and Demonstration Harpenden Art Club-Still -Life in Oils, Dec
• Dacorum Creatives Art Hub -Group exhibition-Portraiture, Nov
• Oct-HAC 63rd Annual Group Exhibition-Harpenden, UK - WINNER- Visitor's Choice of painting 
• HVAF Open Studios-Hemel Hempstead, UK, Sept 
• ALDENHAM ART FESTIVAL, UK, Sept
• July-HVAF Big Art Fair-Group Exhibition, Hitchin, UK 
• June-Anatomy of a portrait HMQEII-Featured exhibition (Dacorum Creatives Art Hub)
• Dacorum Creatives Art Hub -Group exhibition-Marine Art
• Dacorum Creatives Art Hub -Group exhibition-Portraits and Landscapes

2021

• HVAF Big Art Fair-Group Exhibition, Hitchin, UK
• HVAF Open Studios-Hemel Hempstead, UK
• Dacorum Creatives Autumn Exhibition-Hemel Hempstead, UK
• HAC 62nd Annual Group Exhibition-Harpenden, UK- WINNER- Visitor's Choice of painting
• Dacorum Creatives Art Hub Winter Exhibition, UK

2020

• HVAF Herts Visual Art Winter Showcase- Group online exhibition 
• The Beyonder-Picture of the Week online publication

WINNER-BEST IN SHOW

HAC 62nd Annual Group Exhibition, Harpenden, UK, 2021

----

WINNER-BEST IN SHOW
HAC 63rd Annual Group Exhibition, Harpenden, UK, 2022

----

CATEGORY FINALIST
BUCKS Art competition, Stow and Waddesdon NT, UK, 2022 
----

SECOND PLACE 

HAC Annual Exhibition, Harpenden, UK, 2024

----

3RD PLACE
HAC 63rd Annual Group Exhibition, Harpenden, UK, 2022 

----
COMMENDED

HAC Annual Group Exhibition, Harpenden, UK, 2025 

----
TALLENT PRIZE AWARD
Teravarna Fine Art Gallery  "6th Still-Life" International Juried Art Competition, 
LA, California, USA, 2024

----
TALLENT PRIZE AWARD
Teravarna Fine Art Gallery  "7th Figurative" International Juried Art Competition, 
LA, California, USA, 2023 

----
TALLENT PRIZE AWARD
Teravarna Fine Art Gallery  "8th Portrait" International Juried Art Competition, 
LA, California, USA, 2023 

----
TALLENT PRIZE AWARD
Teravarna Fine Art Gallery  "6th Figurative" International Juried Art Competition,
LA, California, USA, 2023
----
TALLENT PRIZE AWARD
Teravarna Fine Art Gallery  "7th Portrait" International Juried Art Competition, 
LA, California, USA, 2023