Saturday, March 22nd
10:00am - 2:00pm
$75.00 Member…$90.00 Non-member
Location: Hershey History Center, 40 Northeast Dr., Hershey, PA 17033
Alla Prima, or all at once, is a method of conceiving and completing a painting all in one sitting. Typically this term is used in conjunction with any painted “from life” situation. It is most commonly associated with the fleeting moments of landscape painting, but is also a common practice among figure painters and still-life painters alike.
This workshop is designed to provide the skills necessary to complete a painting in one sitting. Using a still-life set up as our subject we will discuss methods and strategies for beginning the painting and then quickly developing it. Color choices, as well as, paint mixing and application will be demonstrated and discussed, again, with the concept of completing a painting quickly.
The workshop will begin with an overview of materials followed by a demonstration of how an alla prima painting works. All demonstrations will be completed in oil paint, but the information is easily translated to other mediums, such as acrylic or watercolor. Participants will then have the opportunity to create their own painting, guided by the instructor, using the still-life set up as the subject. Subsequent strategies and demonstrations will continue as the paintings take form in this 4 hour workshop. This workshop is designed for painters at all levels, from beginner to seasoned veteran.
Materials:
The beginning of the workshop is designed to introduce you to materials that you may or may not be familiar with. This portion of the workshop is meant to decode the mysteries of artist materials. So come ready to ask plenty of questions! Using a “show and tell” method I will discuss the variety of materials I will be using vs. other materials available. Bring your own materials ready to paint. The following are my suggestions of what to bring, as well as what I will be using to demonstrate.
Prepared painting surface of choice, canvas, panel, or paper (14 x 18 or smaller)
Oil paint (or your medium of choice ie, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, etc), bring your own array of colors. The following is the palette I will be using to demonstrate:
Titanium White
Cadmium Yellow Light
Yellow Ochre
Cadmium Red Light
Raw Sienna (Michael Harding)
Pompeii Red (Williamsburg)
Cerulean Blue
Viridian
Ultramarine Blue
Quinacridone Magenta
Oil painting medium such as Galkyd or Liquin (I will be using a 1:1 mixture of cold pressed linseed oil and mineral spirits.)
Oil painting brushes in a variety of shapes and sizes ( I use rounds in both hog hair and synthetic sable)
Painting knives (optional)
Mineral Spirits for clean up
Rags
About Michael Allen:
Michael received his MFA from the University of Delaware and his BFA from Kutztown University of PA. His work has been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the Mid-Atlantic region including The New Britain Museum of American Art, The Butler Institute of American Art, The Lancaster Museum of Art, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, among others. He is currently represented by Somerville Manning Gallery in Greenville, DE.
Allen has taught a variety of courses and workshops throughout his career for Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, Mount Gretna School of Art, Harrisburg Area Community College, University of Delaware, among others.
His work is widely collected across the United States. He lives and works in Palmyra, PA with his wife and son.
Website: michaelallenfineart.com
Instagram: @michaelallenstudio