In the early 2000s, Baugh began to establish himself within the contemporary realist movement through a body of work distinguished by technical precision and emotional subtlety. A significant formative influence during this period was American painter Richard Schmid, whose mentorship provided Baugh with a rigorous foundation in classical technique, particularly in the nuanced use of light, edge, and composition. Baugh’s early oil paintings focused on the human figure, often rendered with a cinematic sensibility and a controlled palette that emphasized atmosphere and introspection. Parallel to his painted works, Baugh produced an extensive series of charcoal drawings, which became a defining element of his early practice. These works, characterized by their immediacy, tonal sensitivity, and gestural restraint, revealed a distinct ability to convey psychological presence with minimal means. Together, his realist figures and charcoal compositions positioned him as a leading voice among a new generation of representational artists.