The method of oil painting in which the desired effects of the final painting are achieved in the first application of paint as opposed to the technique of covering the canvas in layers with the final painting being achieved at the end.

Translated directly from Italian, alla prima means ‘at once’ and it refers to the method of painting in one application and without retouching, otherwise known as ‘direct painting’. If you want to paint alla prima all you need is to make sure you finish the painting you are working on before the paint dries – this could take one or more sittings, though purists will maintain one is plenty.