Alla Prima is an Italian art term which translates into ‘at first attempt’ and is also widely known as ‘Wet-on-wet’ painting. It is a painting technique mainly associated with Oil Paint whereby the Artist applies layer upon layer of wet paint in order to build up and complete a painting in one sitting or ‘at once’ without under drawing or studies. It is considered a very fast-paced style of painting and so suits plein air painting and impressionist and expressionist styles.
The Painting is part of ‘Conde, Duque de Olivares’ by Diego Velazquez who is credited as being the first Artist to apply the technique.
