How I Paint a Portrait in Oils in ONE SITTING! (Alla Prima Method)

Video Description

🎨 Download your FREE Alla Prima Setup Guide → https://painterly.work/47bnagi 🖼️ View & purchase available paintings → https://www.chelsealang.com/ 📲 Apply to work 1:1 & build a cohesive body of work → https://painterly.work/47sW8Bd 🎥 Watch my free masterclass on painterly portraits → https://painterly.work/4oUCMey 🧠 Learn more about the mentorship program → https://painterly.work/4lzSsAJ Are you an experienced oil painter who's tired of tight, overworked portraits that feel more like photo copies than expressive art? In this full alla prima demo, I take you inside my exact process for painting a portrait in oils in a single sitting—using nothing but a clear system, painterly brushwork, and confident decision-making. If you're stuck in a rigid process and crave freedom, expression, and spontaneity at the easel, this is for you. ✅ Watch how I complete a portrait from start to finish in just 3 hours ✅ Learn the drawing confidence framework I teach to help painters skip the grid ✅ Discover how to prepare your tools and mindset for a smooth alla prima session ✅ Follow my decision-making process in real-time: proportions, value, color, and final marks ✅ Understand how to use each stroke as a problem-solving opportunity (not a guess) This video is perfect for oil painters who feel “mechanically tight” and want to embrace expressive brushwork without losing structure. If you’ve been feeling stuck—despite years of technical training—this process could be the bridge between your skill and the painterly style you admire. 🖌️ Want to use the exact same materials I did? • If you'd like to use the same paints I used to make this painting, you can purchase my palette at Vasari! http://vasaricolors.com/products/a-set-chelsea-lang-core-portrait-palette — Use code PAINT at vasaricolors.com for 20% off • If you'd like to purchase my official brushset that I used to create this piece, visit: https://www.rosemaryandco.com/brush-sets/teachers-sets/chelsea-lang-set?u=CHELSEA Have questions about alla prima portrait painting or want help breaking out of tightness? Drop them in the comments—I read every one and they often inspire future videos. 0:00 Intro 1:22 The Foundation: Drawing Confidence 2:05 Stage 1 2:21 Stage 2 2:37 Stage 3 3:24 Stage 4 3:59 Setting Up for Success 10:11 Step 1: Establishing Proportions 11:56 Step 2: Color Washes 12:27 Step 3: Working Smart - Paint Amount and Brush Technique 13:58 Step 4: The Problem Solving Approach 14:48 Avoiding Detail Traps 15:49 Value Strategy 16:50 When to Stop 17:38 Key Takeaways 19:00 Conclusion M U S I C All music courtesy of Epidemic Sound! If you want to get royalty free music too, use my referral link to support me, at no extra cost to you: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/zdldb6 DISCLAIMER: Some of the above links (those marked with a "*") are third party affiliate links, meaning I make a small amount of money off your purchase.