Alla prima, the term may sound like an Italian dish, but in reality, it's an exciting painting technique. Are you curious about what exactly alla prima entails and how you can use this technique to create beautiful works of art? Then you've come to the right place! In this blog, we dive deeper into the world of alla prima and share tips, tricks, and inspiration for both beginners and experienced painters. What to expect?

•  An explanation of what alla prima is
• Which materials you need for alla prima
• Step-by-step instructions for beginners
• Why alla prima is so popular
• Five creative ideas to apply alla prima

What is alla prima?

Alla prima, literally translated from Italian as "at once," is a painting technique in which an artwork is completed in one session, without waiting for layers of paint to dry between each layer. Alla prima aims to capture the spontaneity and freshness of the moment, keeping brushstrokes energetic and expressive. This technique is often associated with impressionistic and plein-air paintings, in which artists rapidly and directly respond to their subjects.

What materials are needed for alla prima?

The beauty of alla prima is that you can get started with minimal materials. Here are the essential supplies you'll need:

• Paint: Opt for high-quality oil or acrylic paint in a limited colour palette.
• Brushes: Invest in an assortment of different brush sizes, including round and flat brushes.
• Medium: To thin oil paint, you can use turpentine. Special mediums are also available for other types of paint, such as acrylic.
• Surface: Choose a prepared canvas or panel to paint on. There is also special painting paper you can use.
• Palette: Use a palette to mix your paint.

Step-by-step alla prima for beginners

• Choose your subject and set up your composition. If you prefer, you can make a rough sketch with a pencil on your canvas to make it easier to paint your composition.
• Prepare your palette with the colours you want to use.
• Start painting. Work quickly and directly with confident brushstrokes.
• Work from large to small and from general to specific. Also, start with lighter colours and then move on to darker shadows. Later, you can add highlights with a brighter, lighter colour.
• Don't be afraid to make mistakes—let your brushstrokes be spontaneous and lively. Painting alla prima is about mindfulness and fully focusing your thoughts on the act of painting.
• When possible, work in one session until the painting is complete. This technique doesn't have to take long. The painting will be expressive, but you don't have to be perfectionistic.

See the video below for more tips and to see how quickly an alla prima painting is being painted in real time.

Why alla prima is popular

Alla prima is popular because of the freedom and immediacy it offers painters. It allows artists to express their creativity and capture emotional expression without long waiting times between layers. Moreover, alla prima encourages painters to respond quickly to their subject, capturing the moment as they experience it.

5 creative ideas

So, alla prima is an exciting and expressive painting technique, but you might be wondering what kind of paintings you can create with this technique. Below, we've compiled a list of five ideas. Perhaps there's a fun idea here for you to start with.

1. Portraits in alla prima: You can use a photo as reference material and paint a portrait using the alla prima technique. Try using quick, expressive brushstrokes to create beautiful portraits.
2. Landscapes and plein air paintings: Go outside and paint landscapes and natural scenes on the spot, capturing the atmosphere and light of the moment.
3. Still life: Create vibrant still-life compositions with flowers, fruit, and other objects, capturing colours and textures spontaneously and directly.
4. Abstract alla prima: Experiment with abstract shapes and colours, freely exploring brushstrokes and compositions.
5. Figurative work: Try painting human figures or animals using alla prima techniques, capturing the movement and emotion of the moment.

Now that you're familiar with alla prima and all the possibilities this painting technique offers, you're ready to create your own alla prima art! Grab your brushes and dive into the world of spontaneity and expression.