Ballerina Coloring Pages – 34 Ballerinas from Plié to Pirouette

A ballerina holds a pose that looks effortless and takes years to learn. That is what makes her fun to color: the long line of an arm, the turned-out feet, the puff of a tutu. This collection follows ballet from the first position at the barre to the lit stage. You will find pliés, arabesques and pirouettes, pointe shoes waiting on a bench, and a dancer taking a bow. Some sheets show a single big figure. Others fill a whole studio.

Our 34 Free Ballerina Coloring Pages

All 34 sheets are free and printable. Click any picture to open the PDF, sized for A4 paper. The pages range from very easy sheets with one large dancer to detailed scenes with stage sets and patterns, so there is something for a beginner and for an experienced colorist.

The Basic Positions

Ballerina in First Position

A smiling young ballerina with a hair bun stands facing forward in first position, hands resting lightly on her scalloped tutu. Two large outlined stars float on either side, and a single ground line sits beneath her ballet slippers. The wide, open shapes of the tutu and stars suit younger colorers.

Ballerina in Plié at the Studio Window

A young ballerina with a hair bun bends her knees in a wide plié, hands resting at her waist and her head turned to the side with a smile. Behind her is a tall six-pane window, and below are floorboards and a baseboard line. The flowing skirt with its wavy hem and the plank floor give a good mix of large and narrow areas.

Ballerina in Arabesque on Stage

Balanced on one pointe shoe, a ballerina lifts her other leg back in an arabesque, framed by tied-back stage curtains and a large cratered moon. A bouquet of three roses with a trailing ribbon and about a dozen scattered petals lie on the stage floor. The tutu’s ruffled layers and the rose spirals are fine work for steady hands.

Ballerina Pirouette on Pointe

Mid-pirouette on one pointe shoe, a smiling ballerina keeps her other foot tucked at the knee and her hands at her waist. Three curved swoosh lines mark the spin, with tall stage curtains on both sides and a planked stage front below. The wavy-edged tutu is the showpiece here and takes a soft gradient of pinks well.

Ballerina with Graceful Arms and Water Bottle

One arm arcs overhead and the other reaches out to the side as a ballerina with a hair bun crosses her feet in ribbon-tied pointe shoes. A four-pane window fills the wall behind her, and a water bottle stands on the floor at the left. The long, flared skirt is one big open area, so it works well for a bold color or a blend of two shades.

Ballerina Rising on Tiptoe with Hearts

Both arms curve overhead in a rounded frame as a smiling ballerina with a hair bun rises onto the tips of her crossed pointe shoes. Two large outlined hearts sit behind her, and a single ground line runs beneath. The tutu has a scalloped hem with radiating fold lines, and the crisscross ribbons on the shoes are the finest detail.

In the Ballet Studio

Ballerina Leg Extension at the Barre

A smiling girl with a hair bun rests one hand on a horizontal practice barre and lifts the opposite arm overhead, her other leg stretched out to the side. The barre stands on two round-based posts, and she wears a camisole leotard, a short flowy skirt and ribbon-tied slippers. The skirt has soft folds and a wavy hem, and its open shape takes a light wash of color well.

Ballerina Pinning Her Bun at the Mirror

Seen from behind, a girl in a scoop-back leotard pins up her hair bun while her smiling face shows in the studio mirror. A duffel bag and a drawstring bag hang from wall hooks, and five bobby pins and a hair tie lie on the table. Mirror, barre and hair are outlined in fine lines, so this sheet suits steady hands.

Piano Accompanist with Two Young Ballerinas

A smiling woman with a hair bun plays an upright piano while two little ballerinas in tutus with scalloped hems stand with their hands resting at their waists. An arched window with eight panes, a leafy potted plant and a padded bench fill out the studio. The large, open shapes of the skirts and the floor keep this sheet easy to color.

Ballet Teacher with Five Little Dancers and Rainbow

Five little ballerinas stand on oval floor spots with both arms curved overhead, while a kneeling teacher in a sleeveless dress adjusts one girl’s posture. A three-band rainbow rests on two fluffy clouds behind them, and each tutu has a scalloped hem. The four-stripe-wide rainbow gives a nice spot for bold color.

Four Ballerinas Stretching in a Circle

Four smiling girls sit on the studio floor with their feet together in the middle, each reaching for her ballet shoes. Hairstyles differ: a bun, a ponytail, a bob and a side braid. A stack of five folded mats and a four-pane window sit behind them. The big open areas of the floor and leotards suit younger colorists.

Ballerinas Sharing Apple Slices on Break

Three laughing ballerinas with hair buns sit on the studio floor, each holding an apple slice and wearing ribbed leg warmers and crossed-strap ballet shoes. A duffel bag with a big bow and four loose apple slices lie in front of them, with a mirror and a window behind. The ribbed leg warmers are the most detailed parts of the page.

Shoes, Tutu and Costume

Pointe Shoes with Ribbons and Two Flowers

A pair of pointe shoes stands upright on a thin ground line, with satin ribbons crossing over each ankle and trailing in long twisting tails. Behind them bloom two five-petal flowers with round centers and small dotted stamens. The wide petals and ribbon strips are open shapes that suit bold, even color.

Ballerina Tying Her Pointe Shoe Ribbons

A smiling girl with a hair bun sits on a round wooden stool, leaning over to tie the satin ribbons of her pointe shoe. A tutu with a ruffled hem hangs on a hanger at the wall, and a second stool stands in the foreground. The tutu’s many layered ruffles are the finest detail; the stool and skirt are large, easy areas.

Ballerina Tutu Fitting with Seamstress

A kneeling seamstress in an apron pins the hem of a ballerina’s pleated tutu while the dancer stands on pointe with her arms held out. Behind them are an arched window, a dress form on a tripod stand and a rack with a puff-sleeved costume, and a pincushion and thread spool sit on the floor. The many pleats and the scalloped hems on the rack costume are fine work, while the apron and the window are

Tutu and Romantic Skirt on Dress Forms

Two dress forms with sweetheart-neckline bodices stand on a shelf beneath a round wall mirror. The left one wears a short pancake tutu with a scalloped hem and 12 panels, and the right one wears a long, flowing romantic tutu. The tutu’s ruffled edge is the finest detail, while the long skirt is one big, open area.

Open Ballet Dance Bag on a Bench

An open duffel bag sits on a wooden bench and holds a pair of ballet slippers with crossed elastics and small bows, a leotard, a water bottle, a hairbrush and a hairnet bun cover. On the wall above hangs a wrap skirt with a side bow on a peg. The hairnet’s mesh and the brush bristles are the fine spots, while the bag itself is a big, easy area.

Jeweled Tiara on a Tasseled Cushion

A tiara with a large heart-shaped center gem, two oval side gems and pearl-topped points rests on a cushion with a tassel at each corner. Two big cratered moons fill the sky behind it. The cushion is one wide, easy area, while the faceted gems call for a steadier hand.

On Stage

Swan Dancer on Pointe Over a Moonlit Lake

A ballerina in a feather-petal tutu balances on one pointe shoe in a lake, her other leg extended behind her. A large round moon, cattails on both banks and three floating feathers surround her. The tutu’s overlapping feather layers are the finest work, while the moon and the water are wide, easy areas.

Nutcracker Dancing with Girl by Christmas Tree

A young ballerina in a puffed-sleeve dress and hair bow dances hand in hand with a tall nutcracker soldier in front of a star-topped Christmas tree with seven baubles. Four wrapped gifts with big bows, curling ribbons and falling snowflakes fill the rest of the scene. The nutcracker’s braided hat cord and buttoned jacket take a steady hand, while the gift boxes are big, easy areas.

Three Snowflake Dancers on a Curtained Stage

Three ballerinas in petal-layered tutus stand on pointe with arms curved overhead. The center dancer lifts one foot into a passé. Each wears a snowflake-crowned bun and a bodice with a snowflake emblem, and three snowflakes hang from above in front of the striped stage curtain. The striped curtain backdrop is easy going, while the petal tutus and the snowflakes take the finest pencil work.

Four Ballerinas Dancing a Flower Waltz in a Circle

Four little ballerinas in petal-shaped tutus hold hands in a ring, each with a flower in her hair bun and one leg stretched out behind. An open garden gate framed by a flowering arch stands behind them, and a border of five large blossoms runs along the bottom. The petal skirts are big, open shapes, while the gate bars and the leafy arch need a finer touch.

Ballerina Peeking Around the Stage Curtain

A wide-eyed little ballerina in a bun and a ruffled tutu peeks around a tall stage curtain toward a silhouetted audience of seven heads in theater seats. A chandelier with six candles hangs overhead, and a wooden crate sits in the front corner. The tall curtain folds and the crate panels are big, easy areas, while the ruffled tutu hem and the chandelier take a steadier hand.

Ballerina Curtain Call with Rose Bouquet

A smiling ballerina with a top bun balances on one pointe shoe while the other leg sweeps back, cradling a wrapped bouquet of six roses and a ribbon. Draped stage curtains frame her, and her tutu has a scalloped hem and radiating panels. The roses and the scalloped tutu edge call for a sharp pencil tip, while the curtain folds are wide and forgiving.

Boys and Pairs

Boy Dancer in Fifth Position

A smiling boy with short tousled hair stands in fifth position, feet crossed in ribbon-tied ballet slippers and both arms curved in a rounded frame above his head. He wears a short-sleeved leotard with a banded waist and tights, and two big circles sit behind his shoulders. The tights and leotard are wide, easy areas, while the hair tufts and slipper ribbons need a little more care.

Pas de Deux Lift Between Two Columns

A male dancer stands with arms stretched overhead, lifting a ballerina who holds an arabesque with one leg extended behind her and one arm reaching toward a hanging lantern. Two stone columns, a second lantern, a loose ribbon and two sticks of chalk fill the stage floor. The layered scalloped tutu is the finest area, while the columns and his tights are large and easy.

Ballet Prince in Front of the Castle

A smiling boy in a small crown and a military-style jacket with fringed epaulettes, a diagonal sash and a round belt buckle poses on a low round stage, one arm swept out and the other lowered. Behind him stand a castle with two pointed towers, each topped by a flag, and an arched gate. The wide castle walls and his plain tights are easy areas, while the epaulette fringe and jacket trim ask for a s

Two Boys Leaping in Split Jumps

Two smiling boys with tufted hair leap through the air in split jumps, arms stretched wide and ribbon-crossed ballet slippers pointed. A four-pane window and a long barre with a floor stand frame the studio behind them. The big, open leotards and tights are quick to fill in.

Ballet in Everyday Life

Ballerina Leg Lift at the Kitchen Chair

A smiling girl with a bun holds the back of a slatted wooden chair like a barre and lifts one leg out to the side on a pointed slipper. A kitten sits on the round table beside her, and a four-pane window, a faucet and cupboards with round knobs fill the kitchen behind. The bold, open shapes of the leotard and tights are easy to fill.

Little Ballerina Walking to Class with Her Mother

Holding hands on a sidewalk, a girl with a bun skips beside a woman in a long buttoned coat with a shoulder bag. The girl carries a dance bag with a ruffled tutu peeking out, and a bus shelter and two houses stand behind them. The wide coats are easy to fill, while the tutu ruffles and the houses’ window panes need a steadier hand.

Living Room Ballet Recital for Grandparents and Puppy

A grinning girl in a layered tutu balances on one pointed slipper on a fringed round rug, one leg extended behind her. A grandfather with round glasses, a curly-haired grandmother and a clapping puppy watch from the sofa, with a bookshelf, a floor lamp and a curtained window behind them. The tutu ruffles and the crocheted throw take a steady hand.

Patterns

Ballerina in Attitude on Pointe with Tiered Tutu

Balanced on one pointed slipper, a smiling ballerina with a bun raises one arm overhead while the other reaches out and her back leg stretches long behind her. Her heart-shaped bodice sits above a two-tier scalloped tutu with fold lines, and the slipper ribbons wrap the ankle. The open white background leaves plenty of room, and the tutu tiers take two or three shades of one color well.

Ballet Shoes and Tutus Mandala

A round mandala in a circular frame has a pair of crossed-ribbon ballet slippers with a big bow at its center. Four tutu dresses with scalloped skirts sit at the top, bottom, left and right, and four hearts fill the gaps between them. The bold, open shapes are easy to fill, and each tutu skirt is split into panels that could each get their own shade.

Ballet Pattern with Tutus, Slippers and Tiaras

A scattered pattern of three tutu dresses, three pairs of ribbon-tied pointe slippers and three heart-jeweled tiaras, filled in between with about eighteen stars of different sizes. Each tutu skirt has panel lines and a scalloped double hem, so the skirts can take a different shade in every panel.

All About Ballerinas

Where the Name Comes From

The word ballet comes from the Italian “balletto,” a little dance, which goes back to “ballare,” to dance. The art form began at the courts of the Italian Renaissance and was developed further at the French court. That is why almost every ballet term is French: plié, arabesque, pirouette, jeté. In 1661 King Louis XIV founded the Académie Royale de Danse in Paris, one of the first state dance academies in Europe.

Ballerinas, Danseurs and Pointe Shoes

Originally, “ballerina” meant a female soloist. The first dancer of a company is called the prima ballerina, and a male soloist is a danseur. Ballet was never only for girls. In the 1600s the female roles at court were danced by men, and the first professional female dancer at the Paris Opera did not appear until 1681. You will find boys and partners in the gallery for that reason.

Dancing on the tips of the shoes became famous in the 1800s. In 1832 Marie Taglioni danced on pointe in “La Sylphide” and made the technique popular. Pointe shoes are a wearable supply, not a keepsake. The fabric and glue soften with use, so a professional’s pair often lasts only a few performances or rehearsals.

Famous Ballets

Three of the best-loved ballets come from one composer, Peter Tchaikovsky. “Swan Lake” premiered in Moscow in 1877, “The Sleeping Beauty” followed in 1890, and “The Nutcracker” opened in St. Petersburg in 1892. “The Nutcracker” is based on a story by E. T. A. Hoffmann. Their swans, fairies and toy soldiers appear again and again on the stage sheets.

Tips for Printing and Coloring

Plain printer paper works for colored pencils and crayons. If you plan to use markers or watercolor, choose a slightly heavier paper so the color does not bleed through. Print at actual size and turn off any “fit to page” option so the lines stay crisp. The sheets are made for A4, and they also print on US Letter paper with a small margin.

Choose the sheet by age. The very easy pages have one large figure and very little background. They suit children from about three, who can color big areas without worrying about the edges. The medium pages add a stage, a tutu fitting or a pas de deux, and they suit elementary school children. The detailed pages and patterns are best for older kids and adults who enjoy fine work.

Take a moment to look at the poses before you start. In first position the heels are together and the toes turn outward. In fifth position the feet are crossed close together, one directly in front of the other. In a plié the knees bend outward over the toes while the back stays straight. In an arabesque the dancer stands on one leg with the other stretched behind her. In a pirouette she turns on one foot, with the toe of the other resting at the knee. In every pose the arms are softly rounded. Coloring the sheets is a quiet way to learn what a ballet teacher looks for.

Things to Make With Your Finished Pages

• A ballet program. Fold a few finished pages into a booklet and give the show a title. A “Nutcracker” or “Swan Lake” cover makes it feel like opening night.
• Party invitations. Color a dancer, cut her out and glue her onto folded card stock for a dance party or a recital.
• A stage in a box. Color a backdrop and a few dancers, then fold small paper stands so the figures can stand in a shoebox theater. Dark blue, violet or red curtains look dramatic.
• A studio wall. Hang the pages in a row above a desk or in a hallway, from first position to the final bow, and you have a small gallery of your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the ballerina coloring pages really free?

Yes. Every sheet is free to download and print for personal use. Click the picture, open the PDF and print as many copies as you like.

What age are these pages for?

The sheets cover a wide range. The very easy pages, with one big figure and little background, work for children from about three. The medium pages with a stage, a tutu fitting or a pas de deux suit elementary school children. The most detailed scenes and patterns are a good challenge for older children and adults.

Which colors are correct for a ballerina?

Classic ballet colors are pink and white, plus soft pastels. A feathered tutu for “Swan Lake” is usually white, while a tutu for the waltz of the flowers can be as colorful as you like. Stage sets and curtains can be dark blue, violet or red. Beyond that, anything goes, so a green tutu is fine.

Can boys color these pages too?

Of course. Ballet has always included boys and men, and in the 1600s men even danced the female roles at court. The gallery has a group of sheets with boys and dancing pairs. Boys in class often wear black or white, and you can color them that way or invent your own costume.

Can I use the sheets in a classroom or dance class?

Yes. Teachers, dance instructors and group leaders are welcome to print the pages for their students. They fit well into a lesson on music, history or movement. The Tchaikovsky ballets are a natural starting point, and a dance class can use the position sheets to talk about turned-out feet and rounded arms.

Will the pages print on US Letter paper?

Yes. The PDFs are made for A4, and most printers scale them to fit Letter with a slightly wider margin. Choose actual size if you want the full detail, and check the preview before you print a large batch.

Matthew Matthysen( Drawing and Painting Artist )

Matthew Matthysen is an educated multidisciplinary artist and illustrator. He successfully completed his art degree at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, majoring in art history and contemporary drawing. The focus of his thesis was to explore the philosophical implications of the macro and micro-universe on the human experience. Matthew uses diverse media, such as written and hands-on components, to explore various approaches that are on the border between philosophy and science.

Matthew organized various exhibitions before and during his years as a student and is still passionate about doing so today. He currently works as a freelance artist and writer in various fields. He also has a permanent position at a renowned online gallery (ArtGazette) where he produces various works on commission. As a freelance artist, he creates several series and successfully sells them to galleries and collectors. He loves to use his work and skills in various fields of interest.

Matthew has been creating drawing and painting tutorials since the relaunch in 2020. Through his involvement with artincontext.org, he has been able to deepen his knowledge of various painting mediums. For example, watercolor techniques, calligraphy and lately digital drawing, which is becoming more and more popular.

Learn more about Matthew Matthysen and the Art in Context Team.