Paint directly onto plasterboard??

[Curiouscase]

I had a small alcove ‘created’, it’s got plasterboard surrounds - see photo - and mdf bookshelves which are pre-primed. I’ve got some Lick paint suitable for woodwork - can I paint with this directly onto the plasterboard?

Alternatively, I have Lick wall paint in exactly the same colour - can I dilute this, as I would for bare plaster walls, for the first coat?

or is there some kind of primer I should use first?

Mist coat as you would plaster 50-50 emulsion/water. When it's dry paint as normal. You've "drylined" the alcove, new build are normally entirely done like this, as you don't have to wait weeks for the plaster to dry.

@Somersetbaker thank you so much, this is exactly what I wanted to hear. Was worried people would say I had to get it plastered!

I was going to say you need to get it plastered. But rest assured, I know little to nothing about these things. It's just my assumption and what builders we've used have always done.