Alla Prima Clothed Figure and Interior Painting

The definition of alla prima is to finish a painting in one sitting. This course will cover color and tonal harmonies, chromatic perspective, application of paint, and composition using alla prima methods that will enable you to create a complete painting during each studio session. The historical subject matter of the clothed figure has been explored throughout the ages. We’ll explore the anatomy and proportions of the figure and how to represent the clothed figure proportionally.  We will also focus on how the light creates the space around the model and how the model controls the attention of the viewer as a focal point.
Please always bring 3 small panels or canvas boards with different format prepared with grey gesso.

Special Notes

This is an in-person class which will take place onsite at Fleisher. Please review our COVID-19 community safety policies for current guidelines.

Tuition Assistance is Available

To make our classes and workshops accessible to everyone, Fleisher offers tuition assistance every term so that everyone can join our creative community. Tuition assistance applications can be completed once registration is open by clicking here. The deadline to apply for spring term assistance is Friday, March 10; Notifications will be sent by Monday, March 13.

What you will learn:

  • Getting familiar with “Alla Prima Technique”

  • Learning how to compose a painting from start to finish

  • Learning the basics of color mixing

  • Learning how to see and paint color and value relationships

  • Learning the diverse methods to apply brush strokes

  • Representing the clothed figure

Required Supplies (Please bring on the first day of class):

  • Turpenoid

  • Medium: Liquin Original

  • Paper towels

  • Pizza box (or other box to transport wet paintings)

  • Panel sizes: Bring 3 support to paint on prepared with gray gesso. No smaller than 8″x10″inches and no bigger that 14″x16″ inches

  • Winton/Windsor & Newton Oil Paints (40 ml tube) suggested:

    • Cadmium Yellow Light,
    • Indian Yellow
    • Cadmium Orange
    • Cadmium Red Light
    • Permanent Alizarin Crimson
    • Dioxazine Purple
    • French Ultramarine
    • Titanium White (150 ml)
    • Ivory Black
    • Permanent Green
    • Chromium Oxide Green
    • Yellow Ochre
    • Raw Sienna
    • Indian Red
    • Burnt Sienna
    • Raw Umber

  • The instructor will talk about brushes during the first class. Bring any brushes that you might already have.

  • If you already have a color palette that you are familiar with and that works for you, please bring your own colors.