Alla Prima II: Everything I Know About Painting—and More

Alla Prima II is the expanded edition of Richard Schmid’s celebrated guide to direct painting. This digital PDF edition makes the complete text and color images available for instant download after purchase.

Richard Schmid, with technical assistance from Katie Swatland, shares a lifetime of classical training and practical painting knowledge. It is written for artists of every level who want to deepen their understanding of painting.

Book Overview

Alla Prima II responds to the success of the earlier Alla Prima, first published in 1998. This new volume includes all of the information from the original printings, extensively revised for clarity and expanded to provide a broader frame of reference.

The book emphasizes painting from life. It covers drawing, values, edges, color and light, palette organization, color harmony, composition, technique, and working from photographs. It also includes recommended reading and thorough indexes.

Published by Stove Prairie Press, this expanded edition contains 328 pages and 262 color images.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• Classical insight into alla prima, or direct painting, and why it matters.
• Practical chapters on drawing from life, values, edges, and color harmony.
• Guidance for building a palette and creating vital color charts.
• Advice on painting from life versus working from photos.
• A look at the romance of bravura painting and the thinking of the great masters.
• What to do when a painting goes wrong, and how to continue as an artist.

Why This Book Matters

Alla Prima II carries forward a tradition grounded in centuries of accumulated painting knowledge. Richard Schmid studied under William H. Mosby, whose teachers were contemporaries of Monet, Degas, Zorn, Sargent, Sorolla, and others. That lineage gives the book rare authority.

The expanded edition offers a wider frame of reference in each critical aspect of painting. It is a valuable reference for practicing artists, students, and art lovers interested in the craft.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This is a digital download, so there is no physical shipping. Access is available immediately after purchase.

The PDF works with compatible reading apps on desktop computers, tablets, mobile devices, and Kindle applications that support PDF. Make sure your device has enough storage for the 448.9 MB file.

FAQ

How soon will I receive the book? Your download is available right after purchase.

Will a physical copy be shipped? No. This is a digital edition and no printed book will be sent.

Which devices are supported? The PDF can be used on desktop, tablet, mobile, and compatible Kindle apps or PDF readers.

For artists seeking a deeper understanding of painting, Alla Prima II remains an essential reference. Download the digital edition and explore the full scope of Richard Schmid’s teaching.

Verified Bibliographic Details