Alla Prima: Painting in Oils from General to Specific

[@michaeljohnangel6359]

An excellent video, and a beautiful painting. Is it for sale?

[@ArthurGain]

thanks Michael, means a lot coming from you. The piece was sold long time ago.

[@JaneIndigoMoore]

That's a fantastic expose of your process - amazing to see the face come to life in this way. That last bit with the eyes was remarkable - so unexpected - and such a perfect result!

[@g8610g]

Looks amazing. I had a small chuckle when I saw you mix so much paint in the end and using it for just 2 quick dots/hightlights on the eye, blob blob haha

[@ronschlorff7089]

Yes, if you are painting in oils, you must "Use some paint, they will make more" as one of my art workshop teachers said to his students, who were being too "stingy" with their paints! LOL ;D

[@sheranlanger247]

​@@ronschlorff7089 It's so expensive though. I only ever painted with gouache at art school because I couldn't afford oil.

[@samuelvertilus2112]

one of sargent pupils said that when she looked at his palette it looked like sargent could paint a dozens paintings with the amount of paint he put@@ronschlorff7089

[@dana8656]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@sheranlanger247oil paint is more expensive when it comes to upfront costs, but you would be surprised with how much utility you can get from a 37ml tube of oil paint. during my intro to painting class this semester, I made around 20 paintings ranging from smaller 8” x 10”, 11” x 14”, 18” x 24” paintings, and a 36” x 48” final painting with 37 ml tubes and ONE 150ml tube of white paint. I STILL have plenty of paint and supplies left to create a couple dozen paintings. It’s also much less expensive if you stretch/make your own canvases. i much prefer oil to acrylic or gouache and I definitely think its worth the investment. on top of that there are a variety of ways to extend your paint and change its properties, including the use of mediums, oils, and solvents.

[@Home_Rich]

​@@dana8656 GOOD to hear.

[@malman1080]

I come from a photography background. I always appreciate watching videos like these. Really stresses to me that these two visual mediums are just two different ways of seeing the world and presenting that vision to your audience. Love this and the attention to detail!

[@douglasacosta4989]

Comparar la fotografía con la pintura al óleo es casi un sacrilegio o una burrada, lo común es el objeto que se ve, lógicamente cualquiera recalcaria su sentimiento, pero el transportar lo visto y la emoción al papel es "Divinidad" en la fotografía,,,,, dímelo tu??

[@davirosa]

Hey Arthur, gorgeous painting and demonstration - And I think you nail making her gaze straight to the viewer. I find that your approach talking about the paint evolution/process - it has a humble and true feel - meaning that you encourage us to try and keep us alert about corrections during the process - I appreciate it. Thank you for your videos - I like to watch them! Hugs from Brazil!

[@shay1059]

this moved me so much. I haven't painted in a while and this video reminded me how magical it is to paint with oil, I love the medium so much. Will definitely try this, maybe do a self-portrait. Thank you for the inspiration

[@Elf-y9w]

This depth is very beautiful. There is depth in the Renaissance paintings I looked at on Pinterest recently. I love the velvety texture and depth. It is difficult to give this effect and it is perfect.

[@lyndakowalke8858]

This work of art is absolutely beautiful. I am so impressed by your technique and your explanations are so helpful. You never cease to amaze me. There is such depth and velvety richness - you paintings have such qualities and I also find a likeness to Sargent! You are incredible. Thank you so much for sharing your process. I love this painting!

[@Korczys]

Thanks for sharing this! In a world where it is not known what is art now, good painting will always defend itself.

[@patriceschelkun8712]

It was very helpful to watch you paint this from start to finish, with explanations along the way! Thank you!

[@goldfishzzz]

Thank you so much for this video. As a art student I learned a lot from it and made a successful self-portrait painting from using the alla prima method.

[@deborahwatson4183]

Beautiful work ...Thank you for doing this Arthur

[@natashialefay]

my God, it‘s absolutely beautiful

[@milla411]

Liked it? Loved it! And very good tutoring too! Thnx for sharing.

[@atroutflycrazy8057]

Thankyou this was awesome ,so many great tips and advice . Loved the way you spoke about exact photo replication doesnt always make a great painting. A great painting should turn out better than the photo copied. Your portrait of her is much better than the photo. Finding the balance between detail and still look painterly .

[@ophanap]

Beautiful piece! Thank you so much for the explanation of your process, I’ve just started learning oil painting and have stumbled across alla prima and this has been one of the best demonstrations I’ve seen so far. Just a little tip from me if you you weren’t already aware; you mentioned not having the correct reference for the eyes, personally, I use one of the newer photoshop features to correct my references before i start a painting. If you use the liquify tool on your portrait reference it’ll allow to to adjust the facial features, including the position of the eyes. It’s not always perfect but it’s often pretty useful!

[@ronschlorff7089]

Photoshop tool! Ha ha. Rembrandt and Sargent did fine without it, didn't they? !! ;D LOL

[@GeraldineDiliberto]

Ah you are a master how I wish I could do such a beautiful portrait😊

[@leslieblue8319]

Wow so beautiful and so great to take that journey with you. Thank you for sharing your gift.

[@ronschlorff7089]

Another nice one, but it makes me chuckle a bit I must admit. I am a retired wildlife field biologist, that was my "real job" for 33 years, as I did art on the side, since being in grad school for that science profession. Art school at that time did not interest me as I'm a realist not a whatever they call that other stuff, so I pursued a science career knowing I could paint too whenever I felt like it. Just like Leonardo did too, LOL. I started in 1974 painting in oils, portraits too, just different species of animals, antelopes, bears, lions, tigers, and many many bird species, etc. I did do a gorilla portrait once, so, I guess that is close enough to us humans. LOL. But recently been doing some girl portraits, as practice for the eye, as a landscape painter, now more or less full time. I like the idea of the "exercise" needed to do portraits, lots of subtleties, but really just sketches at they are not fully refined like yours are, except a couple of Vermeer "master copies". Very amazing work, you do but the reason for my "mirth" on this one, she looks like an exotic bird, many have those "ruffs", they call them, ornithologically speaking that is, on their necks for displays of aggression or sexual attraction. She is beautiful, and very sexy (so the ruff is working), LOL, none the less, but it is distracting to one who has had as many ornithology identification, classification, ecology, and behavioral courses as I've had at University, LOL. Who came up with this idea for that get up, yours or hers? I think I know, but Mr. Sargent often chaffed at the costuming of his models, that's why, although masterfully painted, they look just dashed off. Again, good work, Arthur, and thinks once more for the little laugh on this one!! LOL ;D

[@johnnyk7480]

Dear Mr Gain, I followed your video over the past month and painted two portraits with your subject to practice portraiture painting. Why? Because your video teaching is instructive and your style reminded me of British painter John Sargent. Thank you for your time and effort to produce this video.

[@moonolyth]

Im siting here with my cat, both entertained and focused. You've inspired me to pick-up a brush again. Your instructions are very accurate to your rendering❤ Thank you!!!

[@SlickOils]

I use the Ala Prima method when I paint my movie stills, nice work!

[@lauralaladarling3775]

Awsome painting technique and a most stunning and beautiful portrait. Thank you so much for sharing your masterclass with us. Xxxx❤❤❤❤

[@deborahcooper5171]

Excellent video great instruction. Beautiful painting very inspiring thank you

[@ArthurGain]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ЧакНиколаевич-н8к]

Отличная работа! получились более выразительные глаза, чем в референсе 👍

[@AndersDroid-kw3fq]

Fantastic! So informative with important details to keep in mind. Your thinking process is invaluable. Thank you, you’re amazing and super talented! Keep up the excellent work my friend!!

[@ArthurGain]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@luzalvarez7868]

El retrato más bonito que he visto nunca!

[@annachung3793]

Thank you so much for sharing your process with us. As an aspiring beginner I would love to paint like you someday. Thanks again.

[@MANIAKRA]

Love this so much, thank you for the narrated demo. I really want to try painting with oils!

[@davidmcguerty8405]

The two eye highlights at the end are so small but make such a huge difference. Using the light green to pick up some of the outfit and to not make it pure white. So well done!

[@carlkligerman1981]

Very useful tutorial. Tips about glare are extremely helpful too! Thanks for sharing mate!

[@vraquel7]

This was awesome. Can't believe I've never seen this before. Beautiful Alla Prima!!

[@debojyotiboruah1651]

So beautiful demonstration and painting. Thank you

[@MrsOliva]

О... Ваш стиль протягивает свои руки в прекрасные времена, когда живопись была влюблена в романтику. Вот это да !

[@ArthurGain]

ой спасибо ♥️ неожиданно

[@lutrueson9000]

i played this at the slowest speed so i could see more , i could not stop laughing, subbed!!

[@AR-mu4zq]

I dont understand how your building layers without creating mush and grey if your not allowing the previous layer to dry. In alla prima do you use a certain mixture of medium that allows for this or just paint out of the tube?

[@karlalikestoread]

Excellent demo. Thank you so much for sharing your process!

[@raidendawg6839]

THAT IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!

[@julienarasaki4681]

This video was incredibly helpful. Thank you!

[@RobbieAllenArtist]

Great video and beautiful painting!

[@AlonaPalmer-k6t]

Excellent artwork! 😍

[@lizobasuke8765]

Absolutely stunning!

[@donnajohnstone4476]

beautiful work

[@donnybeegoode]

Really nice. Somewhat reminds me of John Sargent with a psychological touch of Olga Boznańska

[@listenuppeople1]

Very informative video! Masterful technique as well!

[@chris-terrell-liveactive]

excellent , many lessons from that, thank you.

[@katleiz]

Was this done in one sitting while it was all wet? Amazing painting, I love your technique !

[@ArthurGain]

Yes. Thanks!

[@EmanuelSpader]

Hi! I love your paintings and i am wondering one thing about your process. In this video are you using any solvent or medium, and if so do you use it in just the beginning or all the way through? Thank you!

[@artbxtch9721]

I have the same question! Hope we can get an answer 😁

[@PluviumGrandis]

thank you

[@StanleyKubick1]

just so very enjoyable and informative. instant sub

[@beneditoart]

Awesome painting man! You are a big inspiration for me.

[@biva_art_school]

I always found myself on this channel ❤🎉

[@ШаленаГуска]

thanks for the cool content. Your work is inspiring😊

[@maitev-p9582]

I have the same accent when I speak English. Buenísimo compatriota Español ❤

[@nickalton]

This is spectacular work! I always have an issue with building this much paint up in one setting. Do you mind telling me what kind of canvas you’re using?

[@anca5480]

Bellissimo lavoro!

[@JenniferHarris-k5p]

Beautiful work

[@l.f.fpetitjean76]

I would be very interested to know how many actual hours it took you to paint this beautiful portrait ?

[@ArthurGain]

was quite time ago but something around 3 hours

[@sarahsimmonds3427]

Thank you for a great demo. How/where do you prepare/get your oil ground panel? Sarah

[@ArthurGain]

If you are in the US - you can buy from artefex - check the link in video description. Or you can make them yourself - apply oil ground on the panel the same way as acrylic gesso

[@yamikun5490]

u are god level 💚

[@mjrewerts]

Very well done 👍🏼

[@ivanasabin42]

Всё понятно, спасибо за демонстрацию. Хорошая работа.

[@demialabi4942]

Incredible work

[@johnnyk7480]

You are a good teacher!

[@davidlugo24]

excellent , I would love to know your palette for this painting

[@mrmiss8062]

Beautiful!

[@BlancaVarguesArt]

Very wonderful Portrait Paintintg Timelapse 😍🌱

[@jay_seijo]

Loved it! ❤

[@starbucks1971]

I have a question about using oil medium. Do you only use Linshid when you draw? Or do you use a mixture of linsid and terrefins?

[@nikolaradovic928]

amazing skill, thank you for sharing

[@59jaguar]

Well done .

[@samirdeb4588]

An exceiient painting

[@priscilla9995]

Marvelous!

[@erwanncollin3932]

Amazing tips, thanks a lot for that.

[@kev3d]

Wonderful.

[@mariejacobs9721]

Thank you 🌷

[@getuptogetdown918]

What mediums are you using at the start? Sorry I’m a beginner. It seems very fluid with the initial green.

[@ArthurGain]

just Gamsol (mineral spirits)

[@DeanHarknessArt]

Wonderful demonstration. Thank you so much.

[@ninamost5669]

Awesome! Thank you.

[@kitstter]

Fantastic!!

[@eyeshowyou]

Very beautiful...well done. 🎉❤

[@ameyachavan6636]

how great is this..

[@komalabbasi5740]

Amazing work sir i have a question that can we use alla prima technique in other mediums like poster colors or watercolors acrylics?

[@ArthurGain]

Poster colors are always opaque and watercolors are mostly transparent (you build darks over the lights) while the oil paints can be both and anything in between. Alla prima is just a name for a single session effort.

[@jaspervantilburgh6393]

amazing video! I subscribed! I have a question regarding on Al Prima, do you use linseed oil or other medium with this technique? Im also blown away on how clean your pallet is at the end.. Can you do a video about that? You were only using a small part of your pallet, mine is most of the times completely used.

[@ArthurGain]

I normally use 'lean' mediums when I paint alla prima - sometimes just a thinner like Gamsol in the beginning to make first marks thin and fast drying. I use oil to oil out dry surface if I want to paint 2nd layer

[@jaspervantilburgh6393]

I’m a huge fan of your work. I’ll sign up for your patreon. ❤

[@francoistourigny3006]

Your portrait is much more beautiful then the model! Excellent thank you 18:36

[@skandababy]

wtfiwwy?

[@philsmith7398]

Excellent! Thank you

[@yulia-spirit]

amazing work! thanks for the detailed explanations. Please tell me how you install the camera, what can be seen very well?

[@ArthurGain]

above and behind my right shoulder, maybe 2.5 meters from the easel

[@roxanacastroj]

I love it 😊

[@elconsultoriodecandida7304]

Muy logrado.Gracias😊

[@douglasacosta4989]

Exelente el video, gracias!!

[@tommybell1786]

Bravo & thanks!

[@ginger-a7693]

What is the most common size of canvas you use? And what medium?

[@campfirecult4375]

Very nice. Thank you. 🔥

[@joshgladfelter9597]

Amazing

[@arkasha1905]

❤❤❤ Thanks!!!!!

[@stbuddha3547]

At some point in the video you would feel that Arnold Schwarzenegger is doing the painting.

[@Leslie27275]

Unkind comment

[@LogosRisen]

​@Leslie27275 it's a joke 😂

[@Elliott.Revell]

Hahahaha that's great I bet that made the guy laugh too

[@w00olf]

😂😂

[@lauralaladarling3775]

I don't understand the remark about Arnold Schwarzenegger; it seems an asinine comment.

[@philljombs1151]

Amazing

[@artbxtch9721]

Hi ! When doing the alla prima technic, do you use any medium or paint straight from the tube?

[@ArthurGain]

lean medium (more often just mineral spirits) in the very beginning and straight from the tube for the rest of the time

[@artbxtch9721]

@@ArthurGain thank you !

[@hcanderson3787]

Amazing

[@Mycooloriginal]

Hardest part of a painting/portrait is getting through the initial phase of shaping the face and shadows.

[@ErykMaler]

tu mamy mistrza,, psychologa, technika, i to nie jest drukarka