Just a quick question. I am new to oil painting and just wanted to know if someone can tell me what it means to "block in masses" before starting details. whould this mean block in the local color of each shape and determine its value?

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Hello Tony. I think you are right about "block in masses". However, there different techniques to paint in oil. Usually, you can paint dark tones and later you can put the light tones. Then, if you go to paint a hand, for example, maybe is a good idea to put the dark colors (the shadows) and later put the ligths. According Rubens, the shadows must be painted with glassis (transparency) and the lights must be painted with "impastos" (very gross paint).
In the past I put a local color and then I start to put shadows and ligths. Now, I try to put at least three different colors: one for shadows, one for middle tones and one for lights, all blended. After, according with the kind of work, I put new colors over the fresh layer (for free works) or over the dry layer (for very detailed works). Note: the glassis only can be painted over a dry layer without risk of damage.
Finally is important to say that there are another kinds of work. Some artists works with oil like watercolor. Then, they put first the lighter tones and then put the dark tones. An example of this kind of artwork can be found in Alfredo Guerrero, a colombian painter.
You must try different techniques and after to choose that one you find the most approppiate to your intentions.
See my artwork in www.ugo.es.mn. Bye.

what about painting alla prima

tony, alla prima basically means wet-in-wet. it is often interpreted as finishing a painting in one session, too, and it implies being really free and mixing colors on the canvas. it's italian for "at first"

so Ugo was addressing your question when he was pointing out the difference between painting fresh layers on "free works" and painting a thin, transparent new layer over an earlier, dry layer (glazing).

the best advice i have heard is to take as big of brush as you can and don't put it down until you absolutely have to - that will help you paint broader and not get caught up in details early

Good advice Anya