The Ballet Serie #2
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.
Behind her, a second figure sits quietly, watching with a calm, thoughtful demeanor. This woman’s presence adds a sense of companionship or quiet reflection, contrasting with the energy of the ballerina’s pose.
The background is abstract, alive with broad strokes of warm oranges and yellows blending into cooler reds, purples, and greys. The textures are rich and layered, creating a sense of depth and motion without defining a specific place. Light seems to fall softly from above, highlighting the ballerina’s form and adding to the feeling of intensity.
The artist’s approach favors expressive brushwork and layered textures over fine detail, creating a vivid impression of movement and emotion. The scene conveys the dedication and passion behind the art of ballet, balancing the tension of effort with moments of quiet observation.
The background is a blend of warm golden tones and cooler blues, painted with loose, expressive brushstrokes that suggest a dreamy, almost otherworldly space. The textured surface beneath them hints at a stage or earth, grounding the figures while allowing the focus to remain on their interaction.
The artist balances realism in the dancers’ anatomy with abstraction in the environment, using light and shadow to bring depth and emotion to the scene. The contrast between the reaching figure and the withdrawn one captures a quiet tension—perhaps a struggle for understanding or a moment of self-reflection.
This work invites viewers to explore themes of connection, duality, and the inner conflicts we all face. The soft, translucent skirts and the subtle play of light add a fragile, fleeting quality to the moment, reminding us of the delicate balance between vulnerability and strength.
Standing beside her, the second ballerina maintains a poised and upright stance, wearing a white T-shirt and dark leggings. Her focused gaze and disciplined posture suggest determination and resilience, offering a counterpoint to the exhaustion of her companion.
The background is a wash of warm yellows, oranges, reds, and deep browns, applied with broad, energetic brushstrokes that add movement and emotion without defining a specific space. The barre stretches horizontally, visually connecting the two dancers and anchoring the composition.
The artist’s expressive style, with thick, textured paint and spontaneous brushwork, conveys the intensity and complexity of the artistic journey. This scene speaks to the balance between perseverance and weariness, the highs and lows that come with dedication to ballet. Through this intimate portrayal, the painting explores themes of struggle, endurance, and the emotional landscape behind the pursuit of artistic excellence.
Beside her, the second ballerina arches her body in a fluid, expressive pose. Her dark hair is neatly tied, and she wears a darker leotard paired with a fuller, brighter tutu. Her serene, sometimes closed-eyed expression conveys a deep focus, as if she’s caught in a moment of pure feeling.
The background is a lively mix of warm yellows, oranges, and reds, blended with darker tones in loose, sweeping brushstrokes. This abstract setting adds energy and emotion without tying the scene to a specific place, allowing the dancers’ inner worlds to take center stage.
The artist’s style blends impressionistic brushwork with a textured, mixed-media approach, emphasizing mood and movement over fine detail. The painting explores themes of duality—the balance between outward expression and inward reflection, the public and private sides of an artist’s life. Together, these figures tell a story of the complexities behind the art of ballet—the passion, the quiet moments, and the emotional journey that dancers navigate every day.
Nearby, a man with short dark hair watches her with a thoughtful, gentle expression. Dressed casually in a white tank top and dark trousers, his body language reveals both strength and care, embodying the role of a guide or collaborator.
The background is a rich blend of muted yellows, oranges, purples, and deep reds, painted with expressive brushstrokes that create a warm, intimate atmosphere. The mix of smooth and textured areas adds depth without distracting from the connection between the two figures.
The artist blends realistic anatomy with a loose, impressionistic style, using a limited warm palette to emphasize emotion and closeness. Drips of paint near the bottom add a spontaneous, heartfelt touch.
This scene speaks to the dedication, respect, and quiet moments that shape the artistic journey, celebrating the powerful human connections behind every performance.
Nearby, a woman in a simple black dress sits on the floor, watching the ballerina with a thoughtful, almost wistful gaze. Her relaxed posture contrasts with the dancer’s tension, suggesting admiration mixed with introspection.
A man dressed in dark clothing sits with his back to the scene, his form shadowy and indistinct. His presence adds a layer of quiet contemplation and emotional distance, highlighting the gap between performer and observer.
The background is loosely rendered in soft greys and whites, with hints of abstract shapes and subtle splashes of red near the figures, adding warmth and intensity to the muted palette. The diffuse lighting and expressive brushwork create an intimate yet distant atmosphere.
The artist blends impressionistic techniques with a modern approach, using watercolor washes and layered oils to balance softness and definition. This piece explores the complex relationship between artist and audience, the space between creation and perception, and the quiet moments that shape the artistic journey.
Opposite her, the instructor leans slightly against the barre, his expression a mix of fatigue and focused attention. Dressed in dark workout clothes with a white towel draped around his neck, his slightly hunched stance hints at the long hours and dedication behind the scenes.
Set in a softly lit ballet studio, the background features warm oranges and reds contrasting with cooler greys and blacks, painted with expressive brushstrokes that add texture and atmosphere without detracting from the figures. The interplay of smooth and rough textures enhances the intimate, contemplative mood.
The artist balances realistic anatomy with painterly abstraction, emphasizing the emotional weight of this private exchange. The scene speaks to the discipline, mentorship, and quiet moments of reflection that shape the demanding world of ballet.
The background bursts with energy—warm oranges and reds blend into cooler purples and grays, painted with expressive, textured brushstrokes that suggest both passion and calm. This vibrant abstract setting contrasts with the woman’s subdued attire and contemplative stance, highlighting the tension between her inner world and the external environment.
The artist combines realistic figure drawing with a bold, semi-abstract background, using oil or acrylic paints to create a dynamic interplay of color and texture. The overall mood is introspective and serene, inviting viewers to consider the complexities of the emotional landscape within.
This work explores themes of self-reflection, resilience, and the balance between vulnerability and strength, offering a poetic glimpse into the subject’s inner journey.
In contrast, the woman on the right stands with confidence and poise. Her dark hair is loosely styled, and she wears a bold reddish-orange sleeveless top. With hands on her hips and a direct gaze toward the viewer, she radiates self-assurance and presence.
The background is an abstract blend of warm oranges, sandy beiges, and deep browns, painted with broad, expressive brushstrokes that create a soft, textured atmosphere. The gentle lighting enhances the calm yet dynamic mood of the scene.
The artist skillfully balances realism in the figures with an impressionistic approach to the setting, using thick brushstrokes and impasto techniques to add depth and emotion. This work explores the complexity of female identity, highlighting the diverse ways women present themselves and navigate the world.
The contrasting postures and colors invite viewers to reflect on themes of self-expression, confidence, and introspection, while the open-ended background encourages personal interpretation of the story between these two figures.
Behind him, the female dancer stands with a quieter presence. Dressed in a black sleeveless top and leggings, her posture is introspective, her hands near her face as if caught in thought. Her softer, muted tones contrast with the male dancer’s intensity, adding depth to their interaction.
The background swirls with fiery oranges and reds above, fading into cooler purples and browns below. These colors flow around the figures, suggesting the heat of the stage and the grounding of the rehearsal space. Visible brushstrokes and varied textures create a sense of movement and emotional complexity, while the lighting hints at the spotlight’s glow without strict realism.
The artist blends figurative clarity with expressive abstraction, focusing on the energy and feeling between the dancers rather than precise detail. This work explores themes of collaboration, tension, and the emotional layers beneath artistic performance, inviting viewers to sense the unspoken dialogue between these two performers.
The setting is undefined, composed of gentle washes of white, gray, and hints of lavender. The brushstrokes vary from smooth blends to visible textures, echoing the dancer’s fluid motion. Soft, diffused light bathes the scene, creating a calm and almost dreamlike atmosphere.
The artist’s impressionistic style emphasizes the essence of movement and emotion over fine detail. The loose application of paint invites the viewer to complete the image with their imagination, reinforcing the transient nature of the moment.
The mood is one of peaceful strength and introspection, capturing the delicate balance between discipline and artistry. This work reflects the dedication and emotional depth behind ballet, celebrating the beauty found in each graceful gesture.
The background swirls with thick, textured brushstrokes in shades of white, grey, and hints of pale lavender, creating an abstract space that suggests a stage or studio without defining it. The impasto technique adds depth and movement, contrasting with the stillness of the figure. Soft, diffused light bathes the scene, enhancing the serene atmosphere.
The artist’s expressive style focuses on emotion and texture rather than fine detail, blending oil or acrylic mediums to create a dynamic yet tranquil composition. This work invites viewers to consider the solitude and dedication behind the art of ballet, capturing a fleeting pause amid the demands of performance.
The painting explores themes of introspection, artistic discipline, and the delicate balance between movement and stillness. The muted palette and gentle light emphasize the quiet strength and vulnerability inherent in the creative process.
All 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.
- The Accursed Kings Series
- Chandeliers Collection. Vol. 1
- Dresses collection. Vol1
- Still Life Collection. Part #1
- Gravity. Vol1
- After Party Collection #1
- Station collection
- Erotica. Vol1
- Musician Collection
- Jews Collection. Serie #2
- Men Collection
- My Animals Collection
- Jews Collection
- Ambiance Collection. Serie #2
- Ambiance Collection. Serie #1
- My Fishes
- Birds’ Collection. Part #2
- Bird’s Collection. Part #1
- New Icon Collection
- Antiglamour
- The Ballet Serie #1