Oil Painting for Beginners/Intermediate - Painting ALLA PRIMA + Step by Step DEMONSTRATION

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Alla prima comes from Italian and means “at the first attempt”. It’s also referred as the “premier coup” (in french) and as the direct approach. If you want an idea of what can be achieved with this approach, take artists like Velazquez for instance, Franz Halz, John Singer Sargent, Claude Monet is also a great example of what can be achieved with this approach...

Basically the idea of the alla prima approach is to complete the entire painting in one layer, wet-on-wet. This painting process brings together only the most fundamental elements of painting : everything is generally very spontaneous and fluid. Painting wet-on-wet is all about workflow, to be honest, it’s more a mindset than an actual method.

Most of the time, an alla prima painting is finished in one session, but this is not mandatory : this is why you can see examples of paintings with parts that are completed alla prima and parts that are painted indirectly, which means wet on dry.

Alla prima refers to the spirit more than the technique. And there is actually a wide variety of techniques that can be used to complete an alla prima painting. Wet-on-wet paint handling is used when a more spontaneous and expressive look is desired. If it’s done well, it generally gives a better sense of movement and creates more expressive transitions. When painting wet-on wet, every brushstroke overlaps the previous one.
This approach involves a greater emphasis on gesture and brushwork. It doesn’t rely on sophisticated techniques and mediums. It only uses the most fundamental elements of oil painting.

Now the idea is very simple but you have to know that using this technique is more complicated than it looks. It requires to work fast and to have a lot of confidence in the brush handling. In fact, when people are just starting, I usually suggest to start painting indirectly, this way, they can take their time and make corrections with each new layer. If you make a mistake, as a beginner, it’s usually easier to just let it dry and paint over it... If you don’t know what to choose between direct or alla prima and indirect, you have to decide what’s more important in your painting : expressiveness or accuracy. If you want more expressiveness, then the alla prima is right for you, but if you want your painting to convey an accurate representation of reality, then you might want to choose indirect, wet on dry techniques.

Painting alla prima requires a fast way of working, it’s not as simple at it looks. As anything, is requires technique and knowledge.

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Thanks for watching !

[keeskrokodil]

I'm a Dutch artist living and working in South West France since 2006. I attended art school in Holland and hardly learned anything. Through the years I've learned to paint with oil paint and it's a never ending learning process. I'm so glad I've found your channel. In two hours watching your videos I've learned more than eight years of art school. Thanks a lot!

[johannebeerbaum]

Such deep understanding in one so young...I would love to be alive to see how far you come in your old age....but alas, I am already very senior. Good luck to you, you are exceptionally talented.

[damedeviant]

I owe you a lot! I wanted to start oil painting again, but didn’t feel confident.

Then I binge-watched your videos. I needed to be an artist again.

I started charcoal sketches, then started live streaming when I drew them, then sold those works online...
Now I can afford those oil paints to get started. All thanks to you bring generous enough to share your time, techiques and knowledge. Thank you so much.

[ashleybedwyn]

I love how he puts the palette in the same frame so we can see what he is doing there too... which is very important to learn... thank you Florent

[canhandletruth]

I could happily watch you for hours. Mesmerising 🙌🏻

[suecalvi]

You’re such a brilliant painter, a delightful person and a joy to watch … best on youtube. Thankyou so much for sharing.

[SJ-qdnx]

when you said 'knowledge has disappeared from the art world' my hair stood on end. So true. (I went to architecture school where I learned a fake form of drawing, year later I saw real art (in France) and slowly began to try and learn to draw the way the great painters did...always looking at old masters' drawings and methods and wondering how they studied...it's not enough just to keep trying and practicing: you need to understand what works and how and why. I'm so glad to find you: I've learned more from you than nearly any other artist or teacher out there today. Thanks so much.

[lakervoxx]

I've only just discovered your channel and it is AMAZING! Thank you so much! I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this video!! The music mixed with the raw audio, the intro lead-in, the painting demo! and also your philosophy on keeping oil painting/art alive!! I've seen enough, I have decided to purchase your course!

[alkarathi]

I am from India, Mumbai, I just discovered you, and I wonder what I was doing all these years, I learnt so much from this video, u r just fantastic, and a great tutor.

[Paul-mkoc]

Magnifique!
Utterly inspiring Florent.

[edemsito]

oh man... your tutorials are so clear and to the point!! I love it!!!

[ToonNagtegaal]

You make such great videos, thank you very much! You’re right: I’ve been at Art School, and I learned practically nothing about techniques, no knowledge. After art school, I disn’t enjoy painting anymore. After 15 years of touching no brushes, I found out that I was frustrated not being able to do what I wanted because of the lack of knowledge. Luckily people like you make it available and it helps a lot, I enjoy painting lije never before.👍🏻

[marioknez]

You are a fantastic instructor. Thank you for sharing. I love this painting.

[janak.]

Bonjour Florent,
Quel plaisir de retrouver tes vidéos. C'est un sacré réconfort. Tu es donc mon deuxième professeur mais ce n'est pas un jugement de valeur, c'est une question de chronologie. Le premier étant Mark, que tu cites dans d'autres vidéos. Tu vois, je suis entre de bonnes mains. Naturellement, ça ne vaut pas un cours physique que l'un ou l'autre donnerait mais c'est toujours mieux qu'un enseignement présentiel de mauvaise qualité.
Ce que j'aime chez l'un comme chez l'autre, outre la qualité des techniques et la façon d'enseigner, c'est de voir l'égo de l'artiste derrière la toile et non pas devant comme c'est trop souvent le cas. Merci. Merci beaucoup.

[SuperXrunner]

You're so right about knowledge...i.dont know alot but the information you provide really helps

[lisengel]

I absolutely love the alla prima technique its also great for outdoor painting and thank you for your choice of great examples of alla prima artists 🙏🧡

[josiewalsh]

Superb tips and so well explained for beginners. Thank you.

[JuanCarlosSedano]

So enjoyable seeing you work and listening to this calming wonderful music. Thank you for sharing your talent!!

[chitvillegas]

Thank you for another wonderful tutorial! I literally had to take notes to keep me reminded of some tips I pick up while you are doing it. I like your intensive teaching.

[sky]

Watching this while painting is such a relaxing thing to do.
I love the music that you put in the video and your talent is just breathtaking.
Tu es magnifique Florent! I can’t wait to watch your next videos
❤️