The Bottom Line
The book not only deals with the painting techniques involved and shows them in use in various step-by-step demos, but also considers the materials you'd use (for oil painting only, but this can easily be extended to other mediums) and the ways color can be approached, then brings painters who used this style from across the centuries in to provide inspirational examples.
Pros
- Explains the techniques of direct painting alongside the art historical context.
- Includes demonstrations of various subjects (portrait, figure, still life, landscape).
- Detailed explanations of painting techniques, with examples.
- Extended photo captions helps you get the most from each illustration.
- 200 color photos in all, including paintings from a range of painters, not just the author's.
Cons
- Could radically alter your painting style!
- Only oil paint is used, but alla prima style can be done in other mediums.
Description
- Hardback book with jacket. 179 pages. 200 color illustrations.
- Published by Watson-Guptill. ISBN 9780823098347.
- Al Gury chairs the painting department of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, USA.
- Divided into four sections: Basic Materials; Color; Techniques; and The Genres Explored (demos).
- Includes an introduction to direct painting, the influence of art teacher Arthur DeCosta on the author and others.
- A six-page historical overview places direct painting into the art timeline, from being a the margins to taking centre stage.
Guide Review - Alla Prima: A Guide to Traditional Direct Painting by Al Gury
I passionately believe learning to paint isn't simply about learning how to manipulate your materials. It's also about understanding the traditions that exist in art, about appreciating the works of the acknowledged masters, about scrutinizing how individual artists painted. Mixing painting technique with historical and biographical info about paintings and famous painters makes you a more knowledgeable all round, able to utilize and build on what has already been done to develop your painting style. This book takes all the aspects of alla prima or direct painting and through the eloquent writing and plentiful illustrations teaches, enriches, and empowers you.
The author of Alla Prima, Al Gury, trained in classic painting techniques and methods (under Arthur DeCosta) and now heads up the painting department of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, USA, as well as exhibiting his own painting. His passion for making the most of painting techniques, pleasure in the artists who've painted in a direct style across the centuries, and desire to pass on what he was taught are evident in his book.
If you want to learn to paint in an alla prima style, develop your skills, or refresh your inspiration, read it! I wish I'd had it to read years ago, because it would've fast-tracked a lot of what I've learned. I anticipate re-reading it and perusing the paintings in it many, many times.
