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Alla Prima: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Direct Painting

by Al Gury

Buy new: $35.00 $20.66 Buy used: $20.61

Editorial Reviews

This comprehensive guide explores one of the great traditions of Western painting: alla prima, or direct, painting. Bold brushwork and a painterly surface are the hallmarks of this renowned technique, and one of the great masters of alla prima was Arthur DeCosta, the legendary Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts teacher. In Alla Prima, author Al Gury reveals the step-by-step lessons he learned in his years of study with DeCosta. From start to finish, with clear explanations of color mixing, palettes, drawing and layering, structure, brushwork, and more, Gury guides readers through the full alla prima process. Portraiture, still life, figure, and landscapes are explored, all illustrated with the work of the greats, from Rubens, Rembrandt, and Velazquez, through Degas, Manet, and Cezanne, to Sargent and Whistler. Today alla prima is the ideal choice for artists who want to return to skill-based training yet retain a contemporary style—and Alla Prima is the perfect guide to the technique.

Customer Reviews

Alla Prima Review, 2009-10-24
by Suzanne Savaria (Philadelphia PA)

This book is written by a teacher at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He represents a strong tradition traced back to before Eakins, Daniel Garber, Lou Sloan and Mr. DeCosta. Reading this book has gotten me back on track with my painting career. Contains chapters on everything from the beginning of direct painting on through the colors you use, mediums, brushes, etc. Contains many fabulous illustrations by different arts. A must have book for the serious painter.

Disappointing, 2009-09-20
by Jodi-Hummingbird

I agree with evrything the other 2 star reviewers said. The cover art was misleading as this painting quality was not repeated inside the book, the paintings (with a small number of exceptions) there were very uninteresting and uninspiring.

I relied on all the good reviews here and bought this book and feel really misled and ripped off.

The information in the book is useless as it is so so basic. The book is suitable for absolute beginners only, in my opinion.

For those who want to see a truly amazing and inspiring and breathtaking and immensely useful book on alla prima painting see instead 'Alla Prima: Everything I Know About Painting' by Richard Schmid. It is more than twice the price, but wow, it's more than 20 times as good too. Now THAT is a 5 star book! This book just doesn't even begin to compare.

For general painting books that are also excellent, see: Classical Painting Atelier: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Studio Practice by Juliette Aristides, and Oil Painting Secrets from a Master: 25th Anniversary Edition by Linda Cateura.

Great book!!, 2009-06-13
by artzgrl

This is a wonderful book!! Really clarifies the technique. I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Alla Prima painting.
A true 'must have'.

Great starter art book!, 2009-04-30
by Brett Kenna (West Chester, PA)

Not only does it tell you the history and techniques involved with art, it shows you step by step how to approaph drawing and painting. It was a perfect starter book. Beautifully illustrated, an excellent book.

Practice these Principles Every Day, 2009-04-24
by Lyndall Bass (Santa Fe, New Mexico)

Al Gury's comprehensive discussion of technique is very aesthetic and intellectually open, prompting the student to think rather than adopt a simple tip that goes nowhere. There is a wide ranging assortment of reproductions that distinctly re-emphasize the points made in the text. Mr. Gury gives us the practical plain speaking yet visionary artistic personality of Arthur DeCosta, one of the great teachers of my youth at PAFA. It's wonderful that his influence can be spread - there are no tricks or gimmicks to being a practicing artist, one must work at it and this book is something to return to time and time again. Bravo!