alla prima

English

Etymology

From Italian alla prima (“at first”).

Adjective

alla prima (not comparable)

1. (painting) Without any preparatory layer of colour; with no underpainting. [from 19th c.]
   • 2020, Inken Maria Holubec, “Angelica Kauffman and the Neoclassical Picture”, in Bettina Baumgärtel, editor, Angelica Kauffman, Hirmer, page 33:

     The application of paint in both compositions shows the use of a layering technique in the flesh tones and garments and the alla prima technique in the background.

Synonyms

• wet-on-wet