Alla prima paintings are completed in one sitting. When I paint a portrait this way, I draw with my brush, minding the spacial relationships between features. Next, I lay in the darks using full color, to support the forms of the face. The midtones, the lights and their transitions blend into the previous wet passages to complete a loosely painted portrait. This one layer painting allows me to break from the confines of too much detail and preserves the energy captured at the very start of a painting.
12″ x 12″ Oil on Linen
Comments on: "Alla Prima Process" (32)
Really impressive – love the looseness and the bumps and scrapes of life.
Many thanks, Richard. Those bumps and scrapes…;)
Very impressive! I don’t think I ever finished a portrait in one sitting
It’s fun with the very wet paint and quick decisions. Give it a try!
I love seeing (and reading about) you’re creative process. Always glad to see you’re ‘still at it’. You’re inspiring! :^)
Thanks so very much, Kevin! Ditto:)
Thanks for sharing your process, Elena! This is lovely work and very interesting to me since I am learning portraiture myself! You are plainly a very experienced and accomplished artist 🙂
You are very kind. Thanks very much, Hilda:)
Fascinating to see the development of this painting – you really have kept the sense of a fleeting moment captured.
Pleased you think so, Anna. Thank you!
A little insight into your technique – knowing the process makes me appreciate the product even more.
I’m glad. Thank you, Marie.
Beautiful portrait
Thanks very much.
thanks for sharing your amazing talent and the various processes
that produce this incredible image
The pleasure is mine. Thank you, Eddie Two Hawks.
A lovely capture
Thank you!
Exceptional. Wish I had a tenth of your talent.
Thank you, John. I wish I could ponder and write like you do.
Incredible work Elena!
Thank you, Adrian!
Thanks for the info on alla prima painting. Always makes a piece more intersting knowing what goes on in the mind of the artist and your plan as you paint. Technique. Technique. You’ve got it down. I think children are more difficult to draw/paint. You have captured the moment.
Thank you:)
Great portrait. Thanks for sharing details of your process.
My pleasure indeed, Sarah.
It’s fun receiving such a bonanza of your work! (It’s so good.)
I’m so pleased that you are enjoying it! Thank you, Linda:)
thank you too for sharing your process behind this beautiful lively portrait.
My pleasure, Maria. Thank you!
Yes, you are Leonardo’s student! I love how you capture facial expressions. Exquisite!
Oh to be Leonardo’s student! Carol, a long while back you requested a progress post with a young person as subject. If you still have a need/desire, you are welcome to this one. Thanks so much for your continued support:)