23/05/2026
“Alla prima trains the mind to think clearly before the hand commits.”
When painting alla prima, there is no safety net of endless layers or revisions. The painter must plan decisively from the start. Composition, value hierarchy, color temperature, and brush economy are all considered before the first stroke lands. This makes alla prima an excellent training ground for decision-making.
It teaches the artist to:
➡️ Read the subject quickly and accurately
➡️ Establish correct value relationships early
➡️ Commit to color choices with intention
➡️ Think structurally rather than decorate gradually
Because everything is done in one session, mistakes become immediately visible. This sharpens judgment and trains the painter to solve problems at the planning stage, not after the painting becomes complicated.
In this way, alla prima functions like a rehearsal for more complex, layered works. It builds confidence, speed, and clarity. So when an artist later approaches indirect painting or multi-layered processes, their decisions are already grounded in strong initial thinking.
Inviting you to join us at Galvez Atelier Davao in Faces in Light, a focused painting workshop that explores alla prima as a discipline of clarity and intention. Through direct observation and decisive planning, we will study how light shapes the face and how strong first decisions lead to confident, expressive paintings.
FACES IN LIGHT an Alla Prima Portrait Workshop
with Instructor Teacher Alfred Galvez
Available Slots:
➡️ MAY 30, 2026 (Self Portrait)
➡️ JUNE 6, 2026 (Paint Your Person)
* SATURDAY
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(with 1hr Lunch Break)
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Registration Fee:
1 Day - P8,000
2 Days - P15,000
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* Materials included
* Limited to 8 students only
Send us a message to inquire.
