Richard Schmid's advice on painting “Alla Prima”

 Richard Schmid (October 5, 1934 – April 18, 2021) was an American artist and author, highly regarded and accomplished with more than 50 one person shows and the recipient of many major awards.





Concerning dexterity in painting, he states the following in his book “Alla Prima”

“The power is in how critically you observe your subjects, and the patience and care with which you paint it. Authority does not lie in how tricky you can throw the paint around. In any case, direct painting is usually done as an “Alla Prima” (one session) rendering, and there is rarely time to be cute about the way you apply paint. Use any application familiar and comfortable to you. Paint thick or thin, with a knife or brush, use a rag, a shovel, or your fingers, it doesn't matter- whatever gets the job done. Just make sure that thee five things happen:

  1. That the paint is going onto the right PLACE on the canvas.

  2. That your brushstrokes are the right SHAPE and SIZE.

  3. That they are the right COLORS.

  4. That they are the right VALUES.

  5. That the EDGES of color shapes have appropriate softness or hardness.   

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