How to Paint Alla Prima
Article provided by http://www.artistsandillustrators.co.uk/how-to/oil-painting/232/how-to-paint-alla-prima Translated directly from Italian, alla prima means ‘at once’ and it refers to the method of painting in one application and without retouching, otherwise known as ‘direct painting’. If you want to paint alla prima all you need is to make sure you finish the painting you are working on before the paint dries – this could take one or more sittings, though purists will maintain one is plenty. Beyond this definition there is scope for interpretation. For example, some say that retouching is fi ne as long as the paint is wet, others say in painting alla prima every stroke must count and not be later reworked; most agree that it is acceptable to scrape off sections you are unhappy with and re-work them. You can make of it what you will and for many this is a favourite method because it allows for spontaneity and freshness. In its modern form, painting alla prima w...