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10 The New Zealand Artist MagazineThe New Zealand Artist Magazine

A

technique traditionally used with oils, Alla Prima is

the method of wet on wet painting. It prompts us as

artists, to make decisive strokes with intention, giving

each stroke an equal importance on our canvas. Its quick wet

nature helps capture an impression of life that slower strokes

miss, much like how gesture drawing is to figure drawing. Alla

Prima helps an artist harness the energy of the subject in front

of them. This is a very valuable technique when painting en

plein air or when wanting to finish a painting in one or two

sittings.

Since the late 14th century, when workable oils were

becoming better known, artists such as Frans Hals began

experimenting with the technique in parts of their paintings.

He did a portrait of Jasper Schade van Westrum in 1645, using

the wet-on-wet technique through the entire work. However it

wasn’t until the 19th century that Alla Prima took centre stage

and became the technique of choice for the impressionist

movement.

Although against other academic painting styles of the time,

Alla Prima’s painterly nature could capture the essence of a

scene or action with haste, something that became an integral

part of impressionism. Most painters these days will have

dabbled with the technique even if the name of the method is

unknown to them.

However to create a entire work, with the technique in

mind, creates something quite special.

Here are some tips and tricks for creating lively, painterly

impressions in Alla Prima.

Alla Prima, the Italian phrase, means ‘at first attempt’. It describes a wet-on-wet

technique which the French refer to as ‘au premier coup’ (at first stroke).

‘Ananda’ by Gabriel Mark Lipper, Alla Prima oil on panel. 300 x 230mm.