Alla Prima II – Everything I Know About Painting – and More (EXPANDED EDItION)
Author: Richard Schmid
This is another book I’ve heard many artists refer to. It’s a huge volume that can’t be digested in one read-through. It’s a beautifully printed book. The horizontal (or landscape) format allows for larger views of many of Richard Schmid’s gorgeous paintings. The edition I have says “with Katie Swatland” though more recent printings have dropped her name altogether from the cover.
Artist and Author Richard Schmid
These are the publisher's notes:
For fifteen years, the original edition of ALLA PRIMA has been considered one of the most comprehensive art instruction books on the market and the standard in classical art education both in the United States and abroad. Whether you're the owner of an original ALLA PRIMA or a first time reader, you'll love the new ALLA PRIMA II. Richard Schmid spent two years updating the original edition giving him the opportunity to fine tune and greatly expand what is generally regarded as the art world's foremost book for painters seeking serious instruction in representational painting.
While all of the information in the original edition has been retained, Richard Schmid revised it for greater clarity, adding abundantly to the text in response to the thousands of artists who contacted him over the years with questions and suggestions. The chapter on color, for example, which was 48 pages is now 75 pages long.
ALLA PRIMA II is over a third larger overall, with 328 pages, and 262 images of paintings, photos, step-by-step sequences, diagrams and bibliography. Plus, ALLA PRIMA II includes a comprehensive index for convenience organized by both subject and painting title. Alla Prima II also includes an extensive recommended reading list.
The book is available in softcover ($95) or hardcover ($125) directly from Richard Schmid’s website. It’s also available on Amazon (affiliate link). I bought my copy used, but I have to say the used market situation is baffling! Sometimes the book is priced unusually high. However, every once in a while you can find a good deal on eBay. I purchased my copy from eBay for about $30. Usually, though you will find ridiculously high listing prices for this book on eBay that have no basis in reality. Buyer beware!
