Techniques for Wet-on-Wet Oil Painting
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Embrace the vibrant and expressive style of alla prima painting, an approach that encourages artists to work quickly and directly to capture the essence of a scene. Originating from Italy, the term "alla prima" means "at once" or "in one go," and it refers to a technique where pigments are applied wet-on-wet in a single application without letting earlier layers dry [1][3].
This method significantly influenced the Impressionists, who found popularity with alla prima due to its ability to capture the fleeting light and color of the environment [1]. The looseness and freshness of alla prima brushwork complemented the Impressionists' interest in light, color, and momentary impressions rather than detailed realism.
Tips for Painting in the Alla Prima Style
- Work quickly and decisively: Apply paint wet-on-wet in a single session without waiting for layers to dry to maintain freshness and spontaneity [1][3].
- Focus on light and color interactions: Use thick paint and vibrant pigments to capture the luminosity and transient effects of natural light; manipulating paint texture can enhance glowing effects [4][5].
- Squint at your subject: Simplify the subject into blurred shapes and colors to prioritize overall color harmony and composition rather than fine detail [4].
- Use soft edges where appropriate: For capturing light transitions and atmospheric effects, soften edges rather than relying on hard, precise outlines [5].
- Get comfortable matching true colors: Rather than relying on logical or expected colors, closely observe and replicate the actual hues and values seen in the scene to achieve realism within the painterly style [5].
These techniques together help maintain the immediacy and vibrancy characteristic of the alla prima and Impressionist traditions. Accounting for mixing on the canvas can be a challenge or a headache, depending on the artist's preference. Saving dark, light, and vivid accents for last is a common preference in alla prima painting. Mixing on the canvas can result in a harmonious effect if done correctly. Accidents in painting, such as two colors accidentally mixing together, can be pivoted and made to work instead of trying to backtrack.
Alla Prima Painting in Practice
Working alla prima allows for removing paint from the canvas using a palette knife or the blunt end of a brush. In the example provided, the painter used a palette knife to take bold and general strokes in the background due to initial problems with the strokes [2]. Scraping away detail in the wet paint is a technique used in alla prima painting, and it can be useful for painting delicate tree branches in a landscape, creating a rough texture on rocks, or signing a painting [6].
Prominent Australian artist Pro Hart incorporated scraping into many of his paintings, while Joaquín Sorolla painted very fast, a pace that felt comfortable to him [7]. Many artists struggle with painting alla prima, often due to a lack of understanding about how to control and manipulate paint, or the inability to paint in a relaxed manner. However, with practice and patience, the alla prima approach can lead to pleasant surprises in the painting and a unique, expressive style.
The Alla Prima Approach Today
Paintings created in the alla prima approach are usually completed within a single session. This direct, spontaneous method continues to be popular among artists today, particularly those interested in capturing the fleeting qualities of light and atmosphere. Dan Scott, the founder of Draw Paint Academy, is a self-taught artist from Australia with a particular interest in landscape painting [8].
Alla prima painting encourages artists to embrace the unpredictable nature of paint, allowing for a more organic and expressive style. By following the tips and techniques outlined above, artists can create dynamic, vibrant paintings that capture the essence of a scene in a single sitting, much like the Impressionists did over a century ago.
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