Alla Prima Composition (Online Course)

Instructor(s):
Sandra Sanchez

Sundays, 1 PM – 3 PM ET – please adjust for your timezones
February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2, 9, (no class March 16), 23, 30, April 6, 13, 2025
10 weeks– Tuition $625

Plus over 20 hours of recorded demos. Each week’s corresponding demo is provided  a week before each live class.
*Note:  first demo sent a week before the live class starts – there is homework due the first class.
Limit: 10 students

Take this class:

• To explore techniques for simplification essential to Alla Prima painting.
• To learn helpful painting habits like palette organization and color decision making.
• To understand the principals of composition as they pertain to all genres of representational painting.
• To build an organized practice for painting within a limited timeframe.
• If you have foundational experience painting.

Class format notes:

• 2 hours of pre-recorded demos distributed weekly. The first demo is distributed the week before the first live class. Homework is due on the first class.
• 2 hour live critiques class.
• Students work on their weekly assignment outside of class time.

Is this class for me?

• This class is open to all levels. Some experience painting in oils is highly recommended.
• Taking GCA’s Orientation Seminar is helpful if you are new to GCA.
• Some drawing experience, especially in the Academic method, is always useful for painting classes at the GCA.

How often is this class offered?

• This class is offered once or twice a year.

Online tech needs:

• The class will be conducted on the Zoom platform and is a live online experience.
• The pre-recorded demos will be shared via a private video link on YouTube. YouTube is free but will require an account to view the video.
• Sandra’s classes are recorded and made available so students can review critiques after each live session for the entirety of the class plus an additional thirty days. There are no extensions.
• This class also uses Google Classroom to distribute materials. Watch this video for more insight.
  Both of these services are free but require registration.
• It will be necessary for students to have access to a computer, tablet or smartphone. The recommended device is a laptop or desktop.

“Sandra has taught me so much, not only about alla prima, but composition, artistic approaches, and how to learn from the masters. She very generously and clearly communicates her wealth of knowledge.” – Christelle

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Course Description

Alla Prima Composition will refine artists’ technical oil painting skills with a focus on design, planning and execution. This class will introduce the importance of shapes and simple values in creating strong compositions. Lessons in value and color will prepare students to learn the basics of composing different genres. These lessons will guide artists to make confident and informed decisions in their own compositions moving forward.

Throughout the class, Sandra will share masterwork examples inviting questions and casual conversation with participants. Students submit their paintings for weekly individual in-class critiques, which include digital paint-overs in Procreate to show ways to improve in real time. Sandra tailors her feedback to meet each student’s unique needs keeping their end goals in mind. Students will receive a pre-recorded lesson and demo video to watch before working on each week’s topic. Basic block in and painting experience is recommended, although not required.

Note: The first demo will be distributed the week before the live class begins. There is an assignment due the first day of the live class.

Week 1: Hierarchy of Focus
Set-up and compositional block-in basics with a raw umber demo.

Week 2: Compositions in Value
Working to establish values and avoid common mistakes through a grisaille demo.

Week 3: Hue and Chroma
Using a limited palette to create compositional importance in color.

Week 4: The Still Life
Still Life composition demo with an emphasis on the logistics of decay and perishables.

Week 5: Landscapes
Landscape composition demo focusing on changes in natural light effect.

Week 6: The Interior
Interior composition demo exploring masterful simplification techniques.

Week 7: The Portrait
Portrait composition demo manipulating gesture and lighting for maximal visual impact.

Week 8: The Figure
Figurative composition demo discussing thumbnails and planning for single or multi-figure paintings.

Week 9: Multi-genre
Multi-genre composition demo reviews techniques in creating a successful image that bridges multiple traditional genres.

Week 10: Narrative Compositions
Narrative composition demo dedicated to developing one’s own unique approach to representational painting.