art of fresco

painting on walls

Etruscan fresco of Velia Velcha from the Tomb of Orcus, Tarquinia.

a fresco at home

day 1

Materials

• General purpose powder filler

• Flat tile, marble or stone

• Mixing bowl

• Coloured Pastels

• Craft Knife (for scraping)

• Pallete knives

• Metal ruler or straight edge

• Water

Prepare surface

Mix filler to consistency of thick double cream

Prepare surface

Mix filler to consistency of thick double cream

Spread over tile, do not worry about smoothing out at this stage

Prepare surface

Mix filler to consistency of thick double cream

Spread over tile, do not worry about smoothing out at this stage

Prepare surface

Mix filler to consistency of thick double cream

Spread over tile, do not worry about smoothing out at this stage

When surface is covered, use a metal straight edge to even the surface.

Set aside to dry overnight

Transfer Drawing to Tile

Transfer Drawing to Tile

Turn drawing over and cover reverse surface with charcoal

Transfer Drawing to Tile

Turn drawing over and cover reverse surface with charcoal

Transfer Drawing to Tile

Turn drawing over and cover reverse surface with charcoal

Turn drawing over again and tape to tile to assist in transferring the drawing to the dried surface

Transfer Drawing to Tile

Turn drawing over and cover reverse surface with charcoal

Turn drawing over again and tape to tile to assist in transferring the drawing to the dried surface

Transfer the drawing and remove the paper to reveal the surface, which now bears the imprint of the drawing

Transfer Drawing to Tile

Turn drawing over and cover reverse surface with charcoal

Turn drawing over again and tape to tile to assist in transferring the drawing to the dried surface

Transfer the drawing and remove the paper to reveal the surface, which now bears the imprint of the drawing

Transfer Drawing to Tile

Turn drawing over and cover reverse surface with charcoal

Turn drawing over again and tape to tile to assist in transferring the drawing to the dried surface

Transfer the drawing and remove the paper to reveal the surface, which now bears the imprint of the drawing

. . and now we can begin to paint

The Original !

Pigment Preparation

Using a craft knife, scrape away at the surface of a pastel to make a fine powder

Prepare painting base

Carefully apply the filler in sections to the picture

Take care to only cover an area that you will be able to work quickly (the filler will dry quickly on the dried base)

Ensure each section is smooth and level

Prepare painting base

Carefully apply the filler in sections to the picture

Take care to only cover an area that you will be able to work quickly (the filler will dry quickly on the dried base)

Ensure each section is smooth and level

Prepare painting base

Carefully apply the filler in sections to the picture

Take care to only cover an area that you will be able to work quickly (the filler will dry quickly on the dried base)

Ensure each section is smooth and level

Painting

Mix the pastel dust with water and apply to the wet base

Painting

Mix the pastel dust with water and apply to the wet base

Painting

Mix the pastel dust with water and apply to the wet base

Apply colour in sections trying to avoid bleeding when working adjacent areas

Painting

Mix the pastel dust with water and apply to the wet base

Apply colour in sections trying to avoid bleeding when working adjacent areas

When one section has been painted, move to next section, apply filler and paint

Painting

Mix the pastel dust with water and apply to the wet base

Apply colour in sections trying to avoid bleeding when working adjacent areas

When one section has been painted, move to next section, apply filler and paint

Continue until filler is no longer workable

Painting

Mix the pastel dust with water and apply to the wet base

Apply colour in sections trying to avoid bleeding when working adjacent areas

When one section has been painted, move to next section, apply filler and paint

Continue until filler is no longer workable

Painting

Mix the pastel dust with water and apply to the wet base

Apply colour in sections trying to avoid bleeding when working adjacent areas

When one section has been painted, move to next section, apply filler and paint

Continue until filler is no longer workable

Painting

Mix the pastel dust with water and apply to the wet base

Apply colour in sections trying to avoid bleeding when working adjacent areas

When one section has been painted, move to next section, apply filler and paint

Continue until filler is no longer workable

Painting

Mix the pastel dust with water and apply to the wet base

Apply colour in sections trying to avoid bleeding when working adjacent areas

When one section has been painted, move to next section, apply filler and paint

Continue until filler is no longer workable

Painting

Mix the pastel dust with water and apply to the wet base

Apply colour in sections trying to avoid bleeding when working adjacent areas

When one section has been painted, move to next section, apply filler and paint

Continue until filler is no longer workable

Painting

Mix the pastel dust with water and apply to the wet base

Apply colour in sections trying to avoid bleeding when working adjacent areas

When one section has been painted, move to next section, apply filler and paint

Continue until filler is no longer workable

Painting

Mix the pastel dust with water and apply to the wet base

Apply colour in sections trying to avoid bleeding when working adjacent areas

When one section has been painted, move to next section, apply filler and paint

Continue until filler is no longer workable

a fresco at home

• Atmospheric conditions affecting drying of the painting surface

• Speed of drying requires quick and accurate working

• Pigment leaches into damp painting surface causing bleeding

• Lumps and bumps in the painting surface make painting tricky

• Mixing too much material for the painting surface; goes hard before being able to paint it

• Keeping joins clean, straight and level problems