Oil Painting with Sarah Sedwick: Alla Prima in 3 Steps

Sarah Sedwick demonstrates a still life in oils using the alla prima technique. More info about Sarah at sarahsedwick.com - and more vidoes and copyright free still life reference photo packs at Patreon.com/sedwickstudio.
In-person workshops at sarahsedwick.com/workshops
Thanks for watching!

[@AndyDolphinArtist]

Spectacular. It's like a full art course in one video.

[@SarahSedwick]

Why thank you. :)

[@jrlakin370]

Finally! A detailed explanation and rationale to the under painting process. I’m sold. Super impressed with this video 👏👏👏

[@SarahSedwick]

So glad you enjoyed! And thanks for subscribing. :)

[@jenniferehalt3273]

Lots of great info. This is the first painting demo I have watched where I wanted to take notes (and I have watched a lot). Thanks!

[@clieding]

Thank you so much for that demonstration; I have learned a lot in a short time. You are a rare combination of capable, insightful, analytical, articulate and charming. I look forward to watching and learning more from you.

[@SarahSedwick]

Thanks so much, Chris! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I have a Patreon now, too, if you'd like to check that out! Patreon.com/sedwickstudio. :)

[@edstud1]

Sarah this is the first of your videos for me, I like your way of working and your teaching style! Thank you.

[@SarahSedwick]

Thanks for your comment! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@KaraArtSpace]

I love how down to earth you are Sarah and show how you're using trial and error. Your explanation is exemplary. Thank you so much! :)

[@SarahSedwick]

Thank you, Kara! Happy painting!

[@ashlyrz252]

This helps so much! I paint, but in watercolor, and tried oils out for the first time yesterday I pretty much directly painted colors and it worked but am looking for a better way and this really helped ❤️ thank you!

[@squirrelnuts007]

White in painting is like salt in cooking.....brilliant

[@stevecarmean2059]

This is the second time I've watched this and I learn more each time. I'll probably watch it again in the future! Thank you so much for posting, Sarah!

[@SarahSedwick]

Thanks, Steve! Glad you found it helpful! :)

[@karentanpastel]

Thank you so much! Lots of great tips you shared so generously!

[@rachelbuyshouses7261]

Awesome Demo!!! You simplify and speed up the alla prima learning process.

[@MikesMusicAndComics]

As an artist and lecturer, I loved this. Very few artists are really able to do it well and explain it simultaneously in a charming way like that. Makes you wanna paint ur next works at once,here and now, at once... :)

[@SarahSedwick]

Many thanks! So glad you enjoyed it. My favorite KZbin videos make me want to run to the easel too. :)

[@MikesMusicAndComics]

@@SarahSedwick Spirit... :). I usually recommend your video´s to my students.I´d like them to move and develop their skills. Have a beautiful week... thx again for ur great sessions, please keep on doing this.

[@marieblomfineart]

Super painting and great course! Everything you share is so easy to understand!

[@lenefredriksen]

You just got me EXCITED about oil painting again after months of confusion for me! Thank you!!!

[@SarahSedwick]

Glad to hear it!

[@mrscorpio2674]

Looks amazing and so real

[@AndyMorrisArt]

Thank you for a great video tutorial, I'm just getting back into oil painting so this was just what the doctor ordered. I plan to cut up an orange tomorrow and get started. Look forward to learning more from you Sarah, thanks again.

[@bluerooster24]

I really appreciate what you said about value over colour. I struggle to get my darks dark enough and now I know how to at the tonal stage. Thank you.

[@SarahSedwick]

Thanks, Melanie! Happy painting!

[@joseluisderivera465]

This Is the first time I see your tutorials! Wow! I love the way you explain the process, claryfing some questions i use to have during my own painting process. Thanks for posting this valuable demo!!! All the best.

[@SarahSedwick]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@dawnmillett4875]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge so generously.

[@johnmartolini4059]

wonderful work and an excellent teacher

[@littleorley5218]

Thank you for a great instructional video. how you paint into a wet wash inspires me to paint again; also I like how you display mixing values from base colors.

[@aliciamolloy5948]

Thank you Sarah awesome demo! Beautiful painting.

[@parisdblack1711]

Thank you for the valuable information you shared in this video. Please post more videos to your channel. I love those paintings in the background.

[@debbiewells2851]

You are an amazing teacher. Thank you!

[@alexcoalson1915]

What an amazing video! I've never painted in my life but this video makes me want to jump in with both feet!

[@1000geroz]

Hermoso resultado... Muchas Gracias por la demostración...

[@SmillyDonut]

Great video. A lot I can learn from it.

[@pleromicpastry5445]

I appreciate these lessons so much. Thank you.

[@SarahSedwick]

Much appreciated, glad you enjoyed. :)

[@broadwaystr92990]

My painting professor recommended the first 30 minutes but of course I had to watch the whole video. SO helpful! Subscribed!!

[@SarahSedwick]

Glad you enjoyed it! I do Patreon as well if you want more photos.

[@duantorruellas716]

Masterpiece canvas 👍 No warp . Very nice work .

[@katdakota9467]

Wonderful! This demo really summarized great points. I have gotten to a point I thought I forgot how to paint...I tried new methods...but this approach I used on some earlier pieces and they worked! I find I'm much better at values with the under painting vs. trying to get the values right with color. Also...I MUST MIX MORE PAINT. I laughed when you said "If you don't have enough pre-mixed paint you will start using what you have on the palette already". That is exactly what happened last night. I wanted to finish a painting...so rushing it I didn't mix more paint...I cheated with other mixtures...and....wala...a problem appeared! Also...I have to get my color charts done....or truthfully...started! Thank you again Sarah. I will be looking for more of you! Happy Thanksgiving.

[@bobwes57]

so concise and informative it was great...

[@leomoscardi4702]

this is amazing

[@bobandlynnemitchener]

Hi Sarah, have just found you on youtube. Yes indeed you are a great teacher, not many people can do a full commentary while painting. I have been painting for a loooong time and found your video informative and great revision for me. Thanks a lot, you got a new fan.

[@SarahSedwick]

Thank you Bob! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@matf1036]

You are brilliant Sara, love your in depth knowledge. Real professional. :-)

[@SarahSedwick]

Thank you very much, Mathew. Happy painting!

[@richardmcknight5682]

Just read your book. Watching this pulls it all together. Thank you!

[@SarahSedwick]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the book! :)

[@manorandstable9024]

This is lovely, Sarah. I learnt a lot :-)

[@derickelsner6802]

Wow you really no what your doing I’ve learned more from this video than I did at school

[@masterpainters1706]

Really enjoyed that. I had to go eat an orange half way through, so it must have been working lol. Thanks as always x

[@jamiewashere]

Great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@SarahSedwick]

Thank you, Jamie! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jeaninekolasa8113]

delicous painting! i really have learnt so much from your video. you have consolidated my 5 years of art school training and beyond, into one hour. I love your passion . Many thanks, (;

[@SarahSedwick]

I'm glad you got a lot out of it, Jeanine! Many thanks for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment. Happy painting!

[@lenasdrawings5792]

Awesome artwork!

[@SarahSedwick]

Thanks, Lena!

[@jalalkelany5117]

Very proficient...you gave us good listen....thanks

[@Purpleiris444]

Great to go back and review what you had taught in the workshop that I took.

[@SarahSedwick]

I'm glad you liked the video, Marlene! Hope to paint with you in person again!

[@Thokchom_Kay]

Thank you for the tutorial...it's an awesome artwork & I just subscribed it. I'm sure you make great foods too.

[@lms7519]

beautiful demo with detailed explanation...thnx

[@SarahSedwick]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@Dangaa10]

incredible

[@hansmjakobsen6865]

Great teaching

[@teacherleo20245]

really nice... I consider myself quite ok at drawing.. been doing it for a few years. Now I have decided to start painting... I struggle so much with the consistency of the paint while painting wet into wet... sometimes it is too thick other times it is too watery ...really frustrating. I am happy you talked a little about it. Thank you so much for the video

[@SarahSedwick]

Thanks, Leo! "Fat over lean" (google it) is really important in alla prima painting because it's hard to get wet paint to stick to - and sit on top of - other wet paint if it's too thin or "watery." Think about adding medium instead of paint thinner for layering. I"m glad you enjoyed the video!

[@sarahnicole9289]

This was so helpful!

[@SarahSedwick]

I'm so glad!

[@sallyfinch540]

Thank you Sarah! I’m a new fan. This video was a huge ah-ha for me. I will be starting The Artist’s Way (by Julia Cameron) and have identified your videos and this one in particular, to help me with my exit out of being blocked. I feel your approach and your suggestions is the prescription that I have been longing to hear and see. I also just received your book Dynamic Still Life and am excited to incorporate that into my journey. Thanks my friend!!

[@SarahSedwick]

Thank YOU Sally! So glad to hear my book and video are supporting your artistic journey. :)

[@user-le3lg4qq9d]

Awesome thank you for much

[@Evita1]

Grazie!

[@andyg.9406]

Fantastic

[@zkfls87]

I really appreciate showing your working process! It so helpful! There is a one question I hope to ask. Other dark parts and neutral colors are composed with warm color except shadow side of rind. So I am curious why you pick greenish color for the shadow side of rind ! I hope to understand the idea. Great thanks a lot! : )

[@Toqueville2023]

Your thinking regarding the underpainting is straight forward and easy to see the benefits. Also I like your ideas of composition, not hesitant to use 4 objects..vrs 3..and having objects going off the edge...That frees you up ...exploring more creative ideas....

[@SarahSedwick]

Thanks for your comment, glad you enjoyed the demo! - Sarah

[@racheledington5447]

I just found you. I really like your style of teaching because you explain I a way that my brain understands it. You also have a natural teaching style. I appreciate that a lot! I look forward to more videos. I am in the process of switching from acrylics to oils. I hope I like it. I like acrylics because I can paint on the couch and the clean up is easy, but the look I am trying to achieve is not doing it with acrylics. So thought I would give it a good go.

[@SarahSedwick]

Hi Rachel! Glad you enjoyed the video. I have lots more videos on my Patreon - and everything I'm doing could be applied to acrylics as well, especially if you use Open acrylics from Golden, which dry much slower. Patreon.com/sedwickstudio. Thanks again for your comment! - Sarah

[@racheledington5447]

@@SarahSedwick thank you! Don’t tell my husband the techniques can be applied to acrylic, because he just invested in a ton of oil painting supplies for me. Lol! No in all seriousness I really want to give oils a good go. What do I have to lose! I will check out your patreon.

[@racheledington5447]

Also I noticed in your supply list I found online that you do not use linseed oil or liquin? Just gamsol?

[@SarahSedwick]

@@racheledington5447 I use Gamsol as a solvent/paint thinner, and for medium I use both walnut oil and Gamblin Solvent-Free gel. Liquin is too stinky! Linseed oil works just the same as walnut - it's just my preference.

[@racheledington5447]

@@SarahSedwick okay thank you!

[@muhlenstedt]

I enjoy this video a lot and learned essential principles, thank you.The only thing I would like to ask you is to zoom a little more.Thank you for your patience, is so nice that you talk ynd explain and does not speed up the process.It is as we were in the studio with you.

[@SarahSedwick]

Thank you!

[@jaylenearnold1216]

So far this is the best lesson I've found online - thank you so much for sharing this. What do you do when you make a mistake on the canvas?

[@SarahSedwick]

Thank you, Jaylene! When I make a mistake, I scrape it off with a palette knife - or just thicken up the paint and paint right over it! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@nilofer.paintings]

Thankyou for sharing this.. Learning alot from this video..I hav subscribed your channel to get more from you..

[@caileanparis9998]

‘Seeing is forgetting the name of the thing that one sees’

[@davesartworks]

Thank you Mr. Monet !

[@duantorruellas716]

👍

[@MrBKuv]

This is the best art lesson I've ever had. Thanks. Wondering how you handle the toxic fumes of Gamsol?

[@g00dy_2sh0es]

You should have good ventilation in the room you’re going to paint in. Also a window fan pulling the air from your studio out and pushing it outside.

[@cheemakhaled2092]

Sarah - I'd lost my way. and you restored my faith

[@SarahSedwick]

Keep painting! Don't quit. :)

[@susanlindblad1093]

Hi Sarah I enjoyed this video very much. I am wondering if there is a follow up video as I would love to see how you paint the luminous part of the oranges.

[@SarahSedwick]

Thank you for your comments, Susan. I'm so glad you enjoyed this video! There is no follow-up video, unfortunately. But there is a short time-lapse video of me working on it some more on my instagram page. instagram.com/p/Bf4joIhFRfP/?taken-by=sedwickstudio

[@susanlindblad1093]

Thanks so much, Sarah.

[@jrlakin370]

Just discovered. Fantastic video. Subbed 👍

[@debbiewells2851]

Wonderful video! I just joined you on Patreon.

[@SebastianTinajero]

Great teacher, great lesson are you using one of those tear away pallet pads?

[@SarahSedwick]

Yes, I am. It's canson brand, I think. Yellow cover. 12x16".

[@BarbaraWang-sf6nz]

Hello, just found your beautiful and instructive video. I am a newer painter and have been having trouble finding a studio easel that will accomodate smaller canvases (8x10", 5x7, 6x8). What is the brand of your easel in this video? Thank you!

[@Drvo3]

Nice vid, I really like you there. You are natural in front of camera and I actually learnt a lot ... + good looking :D

[@SarahSedwick]

Matej Leško such high praise! Many thanks.

[@horowitzjohn23]

Thank you very much for this video. At 42:30, you start adding color. Are you using any medium at this stage? Or is the color going on directly from tube to palette to canvas? Similarly: You had Gamblin's Solvent-Free Gel on your palette. Did you use it anywhere? If you did, I missed it. Thank you.

[@SarahSedwick]

Thank you John! I begin using medium once the underpainting is complete. I have Solvent-Free GEL on my palette, and yes, that's what I was using. Maybe not in every brushstroke, but I do tend to use a combination of small amounts of gamsol, SFG, and walnut oil throughout the color-application phase.

[@horowitzjohn23]

@@SarahSedwick Thank you. And thank you for the quick reply!

[@bethcarr4405]

Thanks for all the info, I just found you. Just OMS for all this, right? One brush, and just keep wiping?Hopefully you have color mixing exercise video. My Paintings are usually too complicated with too many elements from photos I’ve taken. I’ll switch to still life for the winner. I’m hoping some of this will apply to plein aire which I want to start next summer.

[@SarahSedwick]

Hi Beth - I use OMS (Gamsol) and Solvent-Free Gel by Gamblin. Also sometimes walnut oil in addition to or instead of the gel. Still life is a great thing to practice in winter, and the concepts and problems we can work out through still life do apply to any other kind of painting you want to do! Enjoy!

[@lenefredriksen]

You are such a fantastic teacher and resource Sarah, thank you! Your underpainting method seems like a great way of doing it, I love the concept of reductive painting. Are you able to do it that way on acrylic gesso or is it oil primed? I also have a question about using gamsol for the underpainting. Do you have a maximum limit to the gamsol/paint fraction? Ive heard many times now that the more medium (thinner or oils) you use, the weaker the paintfilm gets over time, increasing the chance of cracking etc. Do you have any thoughts or experiences on that? Thank you again for everything you share! 🌸🌸🌸

[@SarahSedwick]

Thanks Lene! The canvas is primed in acrylic - but I don't stretch my own canvases, generally. It's a Masterpiece Vincent Pro canvas, my current favorite. I have heard that when using mediums (oil, alkyd, gels, liquin, etc) you shouldn't use more than 25% to 75% paint, but I've never heard anything about Gamsol in that regard. I say, if it's not dripping off the canvas as you're trying to manipulate it, there's no problem! I plan to leave any future cracking to my conservators. ;)

[@AnitaSingh-bd1br]

Can I use the same process for painting flowers with high chroma and saturated colour?

[@SarahSedwick]

Yes! I think that would work just fine. 🎨⭐️

[@idc__art]

Is it 1 pm in the morning. Maybe. But this is entertaining and educational

[@carmenf.desousa-aritst3044]

I was first taught this alla prima method of doing the underpainting monochromatic but I'm still having a hard time understanding why do this step?? Why no start already with color?? Thank you for this video, I really enjoy how you teach.

[@papercraftingwithmisstommi]

Carmen F. De Sousa - Aritst you can start with color if you want. It’s just a matter of preference.

[@carmenf.desousa-aritst3044]

@@papercraftingwithmisstommi thank you for taking the time to reply.

[@SarahSedwick]

Maybe this short video will help? :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJzchaNvoN19g6s

[@carmenf.desousa-aritst3044]

@@SarahSedwick thank you :)

[@MikeJensen3d]

Beautiful work! Do you prefer a particular oil medium when working allaprima?

[@SarahSedwick]

Thanks, Mike! I use walnut oil a lot, and I also usually have Gamblin's Solvent-Free gel on my palette as well.

[@MikeJensen3d]

@@SarahSedwick thanks!

[@Toqueville2023]

and like you mention..not measuring..but proportioning which makes more sence

[@ShawNshawN]

Exactly just match the value. Sometimes it can be a real struggle for some colors depending on the day. Can't wait to see a new video. If you get bored, I would love it if you can check my demos for feedback. Thanks!

[@SarahSedwick]

Thanks, ShawN!

[@scottydont7904]

A lot to think about.

[@theenchantedlabelaustralia4407]

Hi Sarah, thank you so much for this. I learnt so much. Do you add the medium to the oil paint for the underpainting? How much? Thank you. Rebekka

[@SarahSedwick]

I add Gamsol to the paint for the underpainting, then I add medium to the upper layers. :)

[@taliagilesartdesign8037]

@@SarahSedwick this video is so so informative, thank you! But, I also have a question about using/applying medium during the painting stage. Do you mix medium in to the oil paint on the palette? I currently use Liquin and struggle with the flow of paint.

[@SarahSedwick]

@@taliagilesartdesign8037 I do mix my medium in to my paint using my paintbrush, as I"m loading it up with paint. I don't like liquin - especially the smell. I prefer solvent-free gel by gamblin and walnut oil. Sometimes I combine them both. If you want your paint to flow faster, try some straight walnut oil with a couple drops of Gamsol.

[@taliagilesartdesign8037]

@@SarahSedwick thank you so much! Will definitely give that a go. So pleased I found your tutorials, I've been binge watching them whilst cracking on with some painting!

[@Sc4p3g0a7]

@@SarahSedwick I've been super cautious about studio safety getting back into oil painting. I can't hear any sounds of ventilation in the video and was wondering if you are or if you feel Gamsol is safe enough to use in small amounts in a closed room? (This video is super helpful I can't tell you how much it's making things clear for me thank you!)

[@tonyb0606]

Sarah are you using Gamsol Gel to add to the oils in this piece? Or are you using Gamsol spirits ?

[@SarahSedwick]

I'm using Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits to thin the paint, and I am also using Gamblin Solvent Free Gel as a medium. I often use walnut oil as well. These are additions to the paint in the later stages (post-underpainting) to change their consistency and help wet paint layers stick to the wet paint beneath them. Thanks for your question!

[@tonyb0606]

Sarah Sedwick Thank you so much for your reply, most helpful. Love your work

[@Shaarawi]

👍🏻👌🏻

[@user-uj7pm2fk6p]

How to get my book signed ?

[@daveblood00]

I'm going to buy an easel from DickBlick is that the best option?

[@SarahSedwick]

You could always search for a used one on craig's list or at estate sales. But yes, I like Blick. I get most of my frames there.

[@1974gladiateur]

Lol Samir it’s not a dating site, it’s a place to learn painting.

[@stevothefellow]

Hey Sarah, in future could you orient the canvas more towards the camera or have another camera that just captures the canvas closer up without the reflection? Great vid tho. 👍🏿

[@SarahSedwick]

Good suggestions! My technology game is always evolving - as, unfortunately, I'm a painter not a cinematographer. Thanks for your patience and for your kind comment about the video!

[@jmcintire708]

It would have helped if we could see the image as you are blocking it in.

[@railx]

11:07 is better than my best efforts

[@SarahSedwick]

Keep trying - don't give up! Painting is a rewarding pursuit for a lifetime. :)

[@anne14111961]

And show us your palette pls

[@clickoffertoday]

Great!!!!!! Hi Sarah I enjoyed this video very much. \0/\0/\0/

[@bozoclown2098]

I purchase your book

[@SamirAlkurdi78]

Ilove you sarah

[@angrypolygon8410]

Does not look like the final thumbnail of the video so much of what I clicked on to learn is missing. 😐

[@anne14111961]

The result doesn't appear to be the same as in the picture colourwise

[@rogeriocrispim2003]

Deveria ter legenda em português ou espanhol

[@derickelsner6802]

White is like salt..genius

[@SarahSedwick]

Thank you Derick!

[@ishapatil5508]

Amazing content, also you sound a bit like Kim Kardashian but in the best way possible ❤

[@SarahSedwick]

Lol, I'm glad it's not the worst way possible! Now I'll have to go KZbin Kim Kardashian. Glad you enjoyed the video. Happy painting!

[@renzo6490]

I can see and accept toning the canvas and using paint to draw and position the forms as alla prima. But I never associated doing a preliminary underpainting as being an alla prima step. Alla prima is also called direct painting while indirect painting involves making, first, a monochromatic underpainting, letting it dry, and then applying paint directly or in glazes to the underpainting. You don't wait for your underpainting to dry. Nor do you apply glazes.But you do work out your values before applying color. And that doesn't seem like true alla prima work. This isn't a criticism. It's just a comment. And I wonder what you think.....

[@SarahSedwick]

Hi Renzo - I appreciate your comment, and that is interesting. The definition of alla prima - the way it was taught to me, anyway, is that you start and finish the painting while the canvas is still wet. How does this apply to larger paintings that can't be completed in one sitting? Whether painters do a block-in or not, if they are working wet-on-wet and not waiting for layers to dry before applying more paint, I consider it alla prima. We all develop personal methods of working, also a style that's unique to us. This kind of tonal underpainting has many purposes, for me, and it's something that has evolved over the years. I share it with my students, and I also tell them that others don't necessarily begin their paintings this way. Trying lots of methods is key to finding your own.

[@milicentart]

Thank you, I am inspired. However it is 9pm and I'm not setting out to paint, by the time I get to it the inspiration will be gone.

[@Merikanova]

Milica Virag I hear ya... same here too often

[@dreburciaga9623]

She looks like Pam from the office