Expressive Oil Portraiture: Explore the Alla Prima Technique

Begin by getting to know AJ Alper. He shares his artistic journey into the world of oil painting, which spans over three decades. Hear about how he started the 100-Day Portrait Challenge on Instagram with over a thousand participants. Learn about the artists who inspire his work and get introduced to the alla prima technique.

Get an overview of the tools and materials needed for the course. Explore different colors and brushes, then set up your workspace. Next, select the reference image for your painting. AJ prefers selfie-style images as references, since they allow for intimate portraiture. Learn how to use Photoshop to prepare the color range for your desired outcome.

AJ covers composition principles like the rule of thirds and alignment techniques to sketch your reference photo. Review some color theory and learn about how the consistency of paint influences color mixing. Discover how to fine-tune your color palette to achieve a range of flesh tones that best suits your reference. Learn how to create dimension with different brush strokes and how to correct any mistakes along the way.

Once your portrait is complete, learn all about drying and varnishing oil paint. AJ shares his tips on caring for your painting and shares the best ways to store your portrait. If you chose to sell your painting, he also covers how to ship your artwork.