The story continues as Igor Shulman brings ballet rehearsals to life through portraits full of movement and feeling. This second part explores how he translated fleeting moments into lasting art.
Once I was allowed to attend rehearsals and take photographs, a new phase of inspiration began. As a painter rather than a photographer, my goal was never to replicate images exactly but to absorb the atmosphere and translate it onto canvas.
I couldn’t bring my easel or brushes into the rehearsal space, so I relied on photos and memory. The mood of the studio, the dancers’ energy, and the fleeting moments of movement shaped each brushstroke.
All paintings in this series are portraits, each inspired by a specific dancer whose presence and passion I sought to convey. The collection grew to 32 works, exhibited internationally and eventually sold, leaving behind these lasting memories.
My style here blends impressionistic and contemporary techniques, using layered oils and expressive brushwork to capture both form and feeling. The paintings emphasize emotion and movement over precise detail, inviting viewers to experience the intensity of ballet beyond the stage.
I welcome your thoughts and reflections in the comments below.
ℹ
Subject: People and Portraits, Women
Style: Expressive and Gestural
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Themes: Ballet, Ballerina, Swan Lake, Dance, White Tutu, Dark Leotard, Pointe Shoes, Expressive Brushwork, Contemporary Figurative Art, High Key Palette, Studio Setting, Female Figure, Quiet Concentration, Loose Brushwork, Behind the Scenes, Preparation, Grace, Horizontal Composition
Year: 2010
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Ballet Swan Lake I
27.56 H x 39.37 W x 1.97″ x / 70 H x 100 W x 5 cm
Ballet Swan Lake I (2010) is an original oil painting by Igor Shulman. The artwork features a ballerina seen from behind, her body turned slightly toward the left side of the composition. She wears a dark, form-fitting leotard and a white tutu, with her hair pulled back into a tight bun. Her arms rest downward, and her posture suggests a moment of pause or preparation rather than active performance.
Shulman places the figure on the right side of the horizontal canvas, leaving a wide, open area of pale background to her left. This compositional choice draws attention to the direction of her gaze and creates a sense of space around her. The background is heavily abstracted, built from broad, textured strokes of white, grey, and pale blue. The surface feels rough and layered, with visible marks and scraping that suggest a studio wall or an undefined rehearsal space.
The contrast between the dark leotard and the surrounding light tones is central to the painting. While the figure's back and shoulders are modelled with careful attention to anatomy and light, the tutu and the background dissolve into loose, overlapping brushstrokes. This contrast between defined form and expressive abstraction is characteristic of Shulman's figurative style.
The mood is quiet and introspective. There is no audience, no stage lighting, and no dramatic narrative. Instead, the painting captures the discipline and solitude of a dancer between movements. The visible brushwork, the raw edges of the canvas, and the muted palette give the work a contemporary, unpolished feel. As an artwork by Igor Shulman, it reflects his ongoing interest in the human form, capturing both its physical presence and its quiet, unguarded moments.
ℹ
Subject: People and Portraits, Women
Style: Expressive and Gestural
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Themes: Ballet, Ballerina, Swan Lake, Dance, Performance, White Tutu, Blue Bodice, Pointe Shoes, Grace, Movement, Expressive Brushwork, Contemporary Figurative Art, High Key Palette, Studio Setting, Female Figure, Quiet Concentration, Loose Brushwork, Elegance
Year: 2010
⧉
Ballet Swan Lake II
39.37 H x 27.56 W x 1.97″ x / 100 H x 70 W x 5 cm
Alt.name: The Ballet №31
Ballet Swan Lake II (2010) is an original oil painting by Igor Shulman. The artwork features a ballerina captured in a moment of poised movement. She is dressed in a white tutu and a muted blue bodice, her hair pulled back tightly into a bun. Standing on pointe, she extends her arms gracefully outward, her body turned slightly in profile as she looks toward the right side of the frame.
The composition places the figure centrally but allows the surrounding space to breathe. Shulman uses a high-key palette, predominantly built from soft whites, pale greys, and cool blue tones. The background is highly abstracted, consisting of broad, sweeping brushstrokes that suggest a studio or stage environment without defining it literally. Faint, darker scratch-like marks appear in the upper right corner, adding a subtle textural contrast to the lightness of the scene.
Shulman’s technique in this figurative painting is loose and expressive. The ballerina’s face and limbs are modelled with enough detail to convey her posture and concentration, while the tutu dissolves into a series of fluid, overlapping white strokes. The visible brushwork and the raw edge of the canvas give the work a spontaneous, sketch-like quality. This approach emphasizes the fleeting nature of the dancer's movement rather than rendering every fold of fabric with precision.
The atmosphere is quiet and disciplined, capturing the dedication of the dancer rather than the spectacle of the performance. The contrast between the solid blue bodice and the ethereal, fading white of the skirt and background creates a delicate balance. As a piece of contemporary figurative art, Ballet Swan Lake II reflects Shulman’s interest in the human form in motion, using light, shadow, and expressive paint handling to create a compelling, contemplative image.
List of Art Collections
Here you’ll find a variety of Igor Shulman’s art collections, each one showing a different side of his work. From chandeliers and dresses to still lifes and portraits, every collection has its own mood and story. Take a look and see which one catches your eye — these pieces capture moments and feelings in a way that’s both honest and personal.
