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Painting from Life: Alla Prima

Unlock the secrets of direct painting in this immersive course at Chelsea Classical Studio. Learn to master draftsmanship, values, and color as you work with live models. With constant demonstrations and critiques, you'll develop your skills and create stunning compositions.

  • All levels
  • 16 and older
  • $45
  • 526 W 26th St, New York, NY
  • 3 hours
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Start Dates (7)

  • $45
  • Studio415NY @ 526 W 26th St Ste 415, New York, NY 10001
  • 3 hours
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Class Description

Description

What you'll learn in this portrait class:

Working from the live model, students will learn to work in a direct alla-prima approach where they will aim for good draftsmanship, values and color. This is a fundamental skill in painting, and learning to mix colors in the right value and placing them correctly in the composition takes much practice. 

There will be constant demonstrations as well as critiques.

Materials you will need to bring to class:

  • Paper (Size 14x18 or 16x20)
  • Canvas
  • Charcoal
  • Brushes
  • Oil Paints
    • For colors:
      • White
      • Ultramarine Blue
      • Yellow Ochre
      • Alizarin Crimson
      • Burnt Sienna
      • Plus any other colors you normally use

We provide equipment (easels, chairs, boards, stools) but students are responsible for their personal supplies:

  • We provide equipment (easels, chairs, boards, stools) as well as personal supplies (drawing-paper and charcoal, painting-canvas, brushes, paints, palette).

Students of all levels are welcome to join.

Please note: Classes will be limited to 10 students/class. All students must wear masks, use hand sanitizer upon arrival, maintain proper social distancing and observe all protocols as specified by NY State guidelines.

Refund Policy

  • Cancellations requested 2 business days or more before start of class may be refunded less 5% cancellation fee.
  • Reschedules are allowed if class is not taken (no refunds at this point). Class credit is valid for two months.
  • In any event where a customer wants to cancel their enrollment and is eligible for a full refund, a 5% processing fee will be deducted from the refund amount.

Reviews of Classes at Chelsea Classical Studio (263)

(4.5-star rating across 263 reviews)
  • Painting from Life: Alla Prima

    Reviewed by Tina C. on 4/14/2023
    I needed more instruction.
  • Painting from Life: Alla Prima

    Reviewed by margaret b. on 1/5/2023
    i love his class
  • Painting from Life: Alla Prima

    Reviewed by Adriana L. on 10/21/2022
    Great experience! Great professors. Thank you!
  • Painting from Life: Alla Prima

    Reviewed by Emma O. on 6/28/2022
    Painting from Life: Alla Prime was my first live painting class in over 4 years, so I was a little intimidated to start and wasn't sure if I would receive the level of guidance I probably needed from being a little rusty. Despite their being 6 other members in the class, the teacher sat with me throughout the beginning and walked me through color theory, mixing instructions, and even layering techniques. It was super personable and fun, the other class members were also happy to provide some advice and everyone was really nice! Would definitely take it again.
  • Painting from Life: Alla Prima

    Reviewed by Emma O. on 1/6/2022
    The teacher, RIck, was incredibly helpful and patient. It was my first time painting in a while and he sat with me to walk me through even the basics of mixing colors and painting to scale. It was a great class!
  • Painting from Life: Alla Prima

    Reviewed by Billie P. on 1/14/2021
    Such a great class. Not only was the instructor very attentive and helpful, the whole class was very welcoming. So much fun and would 100% recommend for yourself or as a gift to a fellow art-lover. Enjoy!
  • Painting from Life: Alla Prima

    Reviewed by Kendra B. on 8/23/2017
    This was a very informative class. The instructor gave very useable feedback and came around every 15-20 minutes or so. The other members of the class were friendly, and overall, it was a great environment to work in.
  • Painting from Life: Alla Prima

    Reviewed by Dorothy D. on 4/24/2016
    I hoped to learn more by instructions as I am not schooled in art. The instructor was accommodating but there just are too many of us to be given more individual attention. I learned a little about values and light and shadow, color, etc but 3 hours is not enough to grasp everything. I would really love to attend an instructional class I love to paint and I find I can grow with course horse. Thank you! Dorothy dicker
  • Painting from Life: Alla Prima

    Reviewed by Charmie S. on 10/15/2022
  • Painting from Life: Alla Prima

    Reviewed by Alex K. on 6/25/2022
  • Painting from Life: Alla Prima

    Reviewed by Denisa V. on 11/22/2021
  • Painting from Life: Alla Prima

    Reviewed by Susana J. on 11/2/2021
  • Painting from Life: Alla Prima

    Reviewed by Kareena G. on 6/2/2021
  • Painting from Life: Alla Prima

    Anonymous review on 4/14/2018
  • Painting from Life: Alla Prima

    Anonymous review on 8/26/2017
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Review Summary by CourseHorse

Students found the classes at Painting from Life: Alla Prima to be a highly positive experience, with useful, hands-on instruction from attentive and patient professors. Even those who were returning to painting after a long time felt individually supported and guided through the basics and more complex techniques, such as color theory and layering techniques. The class was welcoming, with an excellent learning environment and enjoyable atmosphere. The instruction was highly personalised, with the instructor offering useful feedback every 15-20 minutes. Overall students learned valuable skills in the art of live painting and were appreciative of the opportunity to grow and enhance their painting capabilities and would not hesitate to retake the class. Quotes: 1. "I was a little rusty...the teacher sat with me throughout the beginning and walked me through color theory, mixing instructions, and even layering techniques." 2. "It was my first time painting in a while and he sat with me to walk me through even the basics of mixing colors and painting to scale. It was a great class!" 3. "The instructor gave very usable feedback and came around every 15-20 minutes or so. The other members of the class were friendly, and overall, it was a great environment to work in."

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Questions & Answers (3)

Get quick answers from CourseHorse and past students.

Question from Anonymous
Wondering if this class is the right fit for a beginner someone getting back into drawing and oil painting after years of off/on drawing and acrylic painting.
Answer from Brenda L. CourseHorse StaffCourseHorse Staff
Hi there! The class is suitable for all levels as the teacher goes around to each student individually. The school provides equipment (easels, stool), the student brings materials (paint, canvas, brushes, etc). Hope this helps!
Answer Show answer
Cancel
Question from Chelsea W.
What size paper and canvas should I bring? What type of paint?
Answer from Brenda L. CourseHorse StaffCourseHorse Staff
Hi Chelsea! Size 14x18 or 16x20 paper, oil paints are used, basic colors or ones you use normally. Hope this helps!
Answer Show answer
Cancel
Question from brenda g.
for this type of painting there are specific colors to bring what are they and is it ol?
Answer from Georgia C. CourseHorse StaffCourseHorse Staff
Hey Brenda, yes, it is oil. For colors, white, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, burnt sienna plus any other colors you normally use.
Answer Show answer
Cancel

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Chelsea Classical Studio

Chelsea Classical Studio is a small studio that offers drawing and painting classes, with a focus on improving students' foundations by working on exercises and projects that aim to improve students' weaknesses. The classes are small, from 3-10 people, with individualized curriculums. Most students...

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Chelsea Classical Studio

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