Alla Prima is an Italian term meaning ‘at first’, and it describes the paintings completed in one session. This necessarily involves working wet into wet rather than allowing a first layer to dry before others are added. The essential characteristic of alla prima is that there is no initial underpainting as such, although artists often make a rapid underdrawing in pencil or charcoal to establish the main lines.
After the introduction of tubed paint in the mid-19th century, artists were able to work outdoors more easily. This plein air painting, as it is called, first undertaken artists as Constable and Corot, and later the Impressionists, established the rapid and direct alla prima approach as an accepted technique. Hitherto oil painting had been largely a studio activity as pigment had to be ground by hand, and paintings were built up slowly in a series of layers.
The direct method creates a lively and free effect that is seldom seen in more deliberate studio paintings, which is clearly shown in the work of Constable. Working alla prima requires some confidence, as each patch of color is laid down more or less as it will appear in the finished picture. Any modifications and reworking must be kept to a minimum so that the fresh effect is not destroyed.
It is a good idea to use a limited palette, as too wide a choice of colors may tempt you to put in too much detail – there is no room for nonessentials in alla prima painting. It is usually easiest to leave the lightest and darkest passages to the end so that the brush strokes used for these lie undisturbed on top of adjacent colors without mixing and muddying.
After the introduction of tubed paint in the mid-19th century, artists were able to work outdoors more easily. This plein air painting, as it is called, first undertaken artists as Constable and Corot, and later the Impressionists, established the rapid and direct alla prima approach as an accepted technique. Hitherto oil painting had been largely a studio activity as pigment had to be ground by hand, and paintings were built up slowly in a series of layers.
The direct method creates a lively and free effect that is seldom seen in more deliberate studio paintings, which is clearly shown in the work of Constable. Working alla prima requires some confidence, as each patch of color is laid down more or less as it will appear in the finished picture. Any modifications and reworking must be kept to a minimum so that the fresh effect is not destroyed.
It is a good idea to use a limited palette, as too wide a choice of colors may tempt you to put in too much detail – there is no room for nonessentials in alla prima painting. It is usually easiest to leave the lightest and darkest passages to the end so that the brush strokes used for these lie undisturbed on top of adjacent colors without mixing and muddying.
All my paintings were done through this technique. That is why they give the impression as if they are preludes to paintings more than completely finished ones. But, in fact, the technique enabled me to freely express myself without much focus upon deliberately added details that would be truly for a genuine artistic reasons, not for merely expressing one's direct ideas and images!
Of course, my brush is still at its embryonic stage. There are many mistakes .. many faults .. lots of misplaced strokes .. or dull colors .. but, I am in the process of becoming better, and I wanted here to share my beginnings .. as well as I am intending to share - later on - my masterpieces!!
2 comments:
Before I enroll in this course, I want to be sure that I will get a degree if I pass the exams! ;-)
This post was very informative. Although I'm ahamed to say that after I have lived in Italy for many years, I never paid much attention to paiting techniques, although I visited several museums, not to mention the numerous churches full of marvelous paintings. How many things I missed!
However, here you are, filling the gaps with your valuable informations.
Besides, I'm impressed to know that your paintings were all done using this technique. Actually, I shouldn't be surprised that much, since your poetry and your writings is done the same way. You have this rare ability to express yourself so nicely "alla prima", "au premier coup"!
And I'm more curious now to see the rest of your paintings: Your Masterpieces.
Don't keep your fans waiting!
Well, I will make sure thatr you would receive a degree and a certificate when I am done ;-)
The mere privilege of having you as an attentive student .. makes teaching a merry act! Although, we're much or less switching our places every now and then.
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It is true that my paintings are similar to my poems .. I haven't thought of that before .. I like things done with Spontaneous Spirit .. it brings vividness to the image .. a sense of Living ..
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The much-thought-of idea comes Perfect .. thus, making it afar from Reality.
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Thanks for the comment.
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