The most efficient way to simultaneously develop observation and intuition is to practice Alla Prima painting. Gaining the ability to work quickly, and with precision, is key in your development as a painter. The time restraint forces you to forego detail, see the big picture, and focus on gesture and large masses, the elements which ultimately hold the power and personality within a portrait or figure painting. In this workshop, we will work with a systematic and disciplined technique that is uniquely designed to achieve this aim.

Your instructor will provide frequent demos, breaking down the process of painting into clear and consecutive steps. We will focus on 4 main aspects: Proportion, Value, Color, and Edge, which will help us to accurately capture a likeness within a limited time frame. Since simplicity is one of our goals, we will be using a limited palette -- a limited palette of only 7 colors; Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow Light, Cadmium Red Light, Quinacridone Red, Cobalt Teal, Ultramarine and Ivory Black. This palette is very dynamic and will refine our understanding of color relationships. Practicing this way will help to sharpen your observation, and take your skill to a new level.