Alla Prima Oil Paintings

Alla-prima is an Italian phrase that means ‘at first attempt’. It refers to a wet-on-wet approach whereby wet paint is applied to previous layers of still-wet paint, often in a single sitting.

 

This made it popular with the Impressionists, as they were able to more easily capture the fleeting light and color of the environment. Subject edges in Alla-prima oil paintings are soft, blended ones contrasted with those sharply defined.

 

However, controlling these edges and how the paint mixes requires the preparation of colors and decisive handling of the material. Alla-prima direct painting technique is perfect for capturing fleeting moments in a spontaneous, fresh, and immediate style. When painting Alla prima, there will always be an element of unpredictability, no matter how much control you paint with.

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