The Ukrainian graphics occupies a honourable place in the art culture of our country and in particular in fine art. The educational-creative studio of graphics with the outstanding master G. Narbut at the head began its work at the Ukrainian at academy, created in 1917. And in 1925 the polygraphic faculty at the Kiev art institute (KAI) (with studios of engraving on wood, etching, lithography and polygraphic techniques) was opened and worked till 1930.
     After a long break, only in 1945 the studio of graphics was opened at the faculty of painting in KAI and in 1948 it was reorganized into the faculty of graphic arts with the studios of illustration and book design, easel graphics, poster. O. S. Pashchenko led the studio of easel graphics from the time of its establishment till 1963. Among its apprentices there are such highly professional, well - known artists as O. Gubarev, O. Danchenko, V. Kutkin, O. Ovchynnykova, M. Popov, I. Selivanov, O. Fishchenko and others.
     I. Selivanov, the apprentice of O. Pashchenko, became the leader of the studio of easel graphics in 1963. He continued traditions of the studio, built the educational program on deep academic basis with analytical study of composition and prepared necessary materials for the textbook. The special attention in the educational program of studio was given to academic drawing and painting, where the professor L. Chichkan was engaged in.
     The former graduate from the studio A. Chebykin was invited there as an assistant of the professor I. Selivanov in 1970, and became its leader in 1985. The artist M. Kompanets was invited for teaching at the studio. The educational program was reconsidered and special attention was paid to a study of graphic techniques. The teaching of the course of the bases of composition was begun for the first year students of all specializations.
     Last 10 years were the period of renovation of whole educational process at the academy. In 1992 the studio of easel graphics was renamed into the studio of free graphics and another studio of free graphics with the professor M. Kompanets at the head was formed parallelly.
     Due to the new status of the studio the range of application of creative opportunities of its apprentices and the selection of educational tasks has considerably extended. The students elaborate various compositions - from a sign, symbol up to the historical-epic themes under the teachers' direction. The newest techniques and technologies, including photo and computer graphics are widely used. Improvement of professional skills of assistants - trainees is carried out at the studio. The studio's recent apprentice V. Kyrychenko became its in 1997.
     The studio's graduates, there are about 200 of them in total, have been determining the level of the Ukrainian graphic art for many years. Many young artists have become the participants of prestigious art exhibitions, reviews and competitions.