Alla Prima Painting with David Shevlino: Still Life and Portrait

This class is about painting alla prima (wet into wet) and the techniques used to create a fresh, direct response to your subjects. On the first 2 days you’ll start by painting a still life on a toned canvas and focus on the basics (composition, value, color, light and shadow) and how to simplify the forms. On the last 2 days of class you’ll have a live portrait model. You’ll learn to simplify and interpret the head and face as a series of basic shapes and planes described by light and shadow.

David will spend time discussing, as well as demonstrating, basic proportions and how to recognize the planes of the head and how to simplify them. This class will be particularly helpful for those who want to expand from a tight painting style, to a more loose, economical paint application.



David Shevlino studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the University of Pennsylvania and the Art Students’ League of NY. His work has been featured in publications internationally and he has exhibited his work and taught workshops throughout the North America and Europe. He has also produced a series of instructional videos showcasing his painting methods.

This course has a maximum of 12 participants.

You can find the materials list for this course here. If you have any questions, please see our frequently asked questions or contact us.