DIY Fresco

Plastering a wall can be a difficult task.

Artists have been painting frescoes for hundreds of years. Traditionally, true frescoes were made by painting with pigments which were absorbed into wet plaster to create paintings. Most frescoes painted today are either secco frescoes or faux frescoes. Faux frescoes give the illusion of being a fresco, but do not use plaster. Instead, faux frescoes build up several layers of paint underneath the image so that they appear to be on plaster from a distance. Secco frescoes are painted on dry plaster using tempera paint.

Things You'll Need

• Plaster trowel
• Bucket
• Wall plaster
• Chalk or water-soluble pencil
• Clean cloth
• Tempera paints

Instructions

1. Start with a clean and matte-painted wall. If the wall has semigloss or gloss paint on it, sand it or use a roller or brush to apply a coat of plaster primer to the wall.

2. Mix the plaster in a bucket or paint tray according to the directions on the package. Use a trowel to apply a thin coat of plaster to the entire fresco area. Allow to dry for four to six hours. Apply at least two more coats in this manner. Let the wall sit for at least 24 hours after the final plaster coat before painting.

3. Use a water-soluble pencil or chalk to sketch your image onto the dried plaster.

4. Fill in the image with tempera paint. Allow to dry for two to four hours. Use a damp, clean cloth to erase any stray pencil or chalk marks.

Tips & Warnings

• Lightly sand the painted image with extra-fine grit sandpaper if an aged appearance is desired.

References

• Painting and Drawing: Fresco
• Muralist.org: The Art of Fresco: Painting Techniques
• Fresco Techniques: Buon, Secco, Faux, Art Periods Time Line