Painting on raw plaster or how to make a fresco yourself

Making a fresco, or artwork on raw plaster, is a time-honored art form that originated in ancient cultures. When painting fresco, pigments are directly applied to recently laid, wet plaster, causing it to become a seamless component of the wall surface. This process not only produces gorgeous, long-lasting artwork, but it also fosters a close relationship between the artist and their medium.

In contrast to painting on canvas or paper, frescoes call for a special technique and a thorough knowledge of the materials used. Plaster must first be prepared, making sure its consistency and moisture content are appropriate. When the plaster is ready, the artist needs to work fast and effectively because proper adhesion and color longevity require painting the plaster while it is still wet.

The permanence of fresco painting is one of its most intriguing features. The colors that are applied to frescoes become a part of the wall itself, producing vivid, long-lasting pictures that stand the test of time. Renaissance artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, whose creations continue to enthrall us, preferred this technique.

Learning this age-old method can be a really fulfilling experience if you’ve ever loved the murals found in old buildings or have ever wanted to paint your own. A piece of this timeless art form can be brought into any space by anyone with the correct supplies, a little perseverance, and some instruction.

By applying a fresco on unfinished plaster, you can turn a plain wall into a colorful piece of history through a creative and traditional art form. From plaster preparation to paint application, this guide will take you step-by-step through the entire process, making sure you fully understand each step and can confidently start creating frescos. Regardless of your level of experience, you’ll find useful advice and methods to help you create a gorgeous, long-lasting piece of art for your walls.

Types of plaster painting

Different techniques apply to drawings on plastered walls. The principal one is:

1. Fresco. Is a painting on raw plaster with water paints. To create a pattern, you need a special plastic mass of bashized lime, sand, brick dust. Ideally, crushed linen threads or hemp are added to such a mixture – in this case, the picture on the wall will be more durable, will not crack and will not crumble.
2. Alsekko. This painting with dry plaster. For this technique, special colors based on glue, water, raw eggs are used. They allow you to get a persistent image that is not damaged from the effects of adverse factors.

Painting technique for dry plaster

There are distinctive qualities to dry plaster painting. One master or multiple people can draw on the wall in a convenient manner; it is not necessary to draw quickly. Because natural materials are included in the color composition, both adults and children can safely use the ready-made paintings. Typically, bedrooms and children’s rooms are decorated using the dry technique. Paints’ hues are distinguished by their brightness, and the materials’ density means that they don’t crumble or fade over time.

The uniqueness of Alsekko technology

Nowadays, the Alsekko (Askko, Sexo) technique has gained popularity, particularly for interior house and apartment decorating as well as fence and building decoration. For this kind of wall painting, the surface must be partially dried but still moist. The method, which is regarded as unique, offers several clear benefits:

• use by 100% harmless dyes;
• the ability to work all day or several days without the need to accelerate;
• the durability of the image, resistance to moisture and temperature changes;
• thorough drawing of details, clarity of the picture;
• the possibility of creating volumetric images and multifaceted figures;
• suitability for paintings on any topics, performance of work in all kinds of artistic styles;
• the ability to correct the image or wash it with clean water during work.

Disadvantages of the mural for dry plaster

Create a truly lovely image; volumetric décor is something that only an expert can execute. We are talking about truly exclusive work here, not little drawings or ornaments that can be completed using a stencil. Such work will come at a very high cost and require several days to complete. As such an interior can become monotonous, it is preferable to consider its practicality beforehand.

It is advised to create large wall images in spaces like libraries, halls, and cabinets where people are rarely present.

Surface preparation for the artist

It needs to be properly prepared in order to have a stunning and long-lasting image on the wall. Old paint and wallpaper are removed first. After that, putty or plaster are used to cover up any chips, flaws, and fastener remnants. The base is primed in one or two layers, and then plastered once more using a composition that is appropriate and perfectly aligned. The artist can’t start working until the plaster has dried and been primed once more.

Drawing on raw plaster with water paints

This method entails applying the pattern to the wall before the plaster has had a chance to dry. Lighter hues are applied to the surface first, followed by alternating applications of richer, darker, and brighter elements.

Certain characteristics of the plaster mass itself include the requirement for the use of premium lime during manufacturing, which is put out by water until the active chemical reaction is prolonged.

Additionally, the smallest brick crumb is required for the production of plaster because it retains water for an extended period of time without drying out. In order to improve adhesion with the material, the wall is additionally prepared in a unique way: artificially created irregularities on it. The wall’s surface is frequently moistened during the picture application process to ensure that the paints settle onto the wet base. The image will lighten slightly after drying, which is related to the lime content of the composition.

The type of surface will determine the final fresco’s quality. For instance, because brick masonry absorbs a lot of water, the fresco will dry quickly and the image’s contours may crack if further priming is not applied. The picture will appear more realistic because the fresco dries more slowly when applied weakly. The longer the surface dries, the more plaster layers are applied.

Drawing technology for raw plaster with water paints

Drawing on a wet basis involves a fairly involved process. The following stages of work are included in it:

1. Creating a drawing and preparation of a natural layout.
2. Cutting the workpiece into separate fragments.
3. Transferring the picture to the wall, circling contours.
4. Whitening the main background.
5. Filling individual segments of frescoes with color.

Simplified options are also available for performance equipment. You can manage work from home if you have some experience and dexterity. The original calls for precise stroke placement and quick responses. In order to make the task easier, the picture model should be painted with shadows, just like it will be on the wall.

The history of the method

The ancient Mediterranean was the practice area for painting on wet plaster. There are paintings on the walls of temples and other historic buildings that date back several centuries and are still in existence today. Plaster paintings adorned public buildings, wealthy people’s homes, and palaces in ancient Rome. Particularly, there were numerous frescoes in the cities of Pompeii and Herculanum, which were later identified as Peretol Vesuvius.

The popularity of frescoes increased during the Middle Ages. They started to be used everywhere because of the affordable raw materials, which were made from nearby minerals. Italian artists are well-known for their extraordinary talent and skill.

The paint held up very well because the plaster held it firmly in place; however, it became paler after drying. Fresco held prominent positions in interior decoration up until the 18th century, at which point new forms of art gradually took its place.

The essence of the process

Following the application of multiple layers of sand and lime plaster to the wall, specific paint types are used to create the pattern on top. The latter, which is based on silicates, casein, or lime, ought to be water soluble.

The plaster gradually absorbs the colors as the calcium carbonate (lime) that is already there is painted into it. Consequently, the image is not removed and instead becomes a permanent part of the wall. The plaster layer must be removed in order to get rid of it.

Frescoes in the apartment

A type of monumental painting, a fresco is one that is too heavy to be moved and cannot be removed as a picture. The fresco must blend in with the interior design and complement the other elements of the space in order to truly decorate it. For this reason, you must plan the room’s layout in advance in order to choose the kind of image that will be displayed on the wall.

Prior to execution, the frescoes’ dimensions must also be determined. Big pictures will appear overwhelmingly gloomy in a small space because they won’t fit in. Painting the ceiling is also not always a good idea in apartments; it works best in spaces with large areas and walls that are at least somewhat tall.

The work can be completed by you. It is unlikely, though, that the outcome will resemble professional work. If the decision is made to employ an artist, it is important to keep in mind that not everyone is skilled in plaster work. Sometimes, finding plaster and a designer willing to work in pairs will be necessary, and it will be reasonably priced. It is advised that you practice on simpler objects, learn the properties of colors, and become an expert at the game of light and shadow before attempting to create a fresco with your hands.

Painting a fresco on unfinished plaster is a rewarding process that blends artistry and skill. Anyone can start this creative journey by following the crucial steps described in this guide. The first step in the process is to prepare the plaster, which will be your artwork’s canvas. For the fresco to last and look good, the plaster must be applied correctly and with the proper consistency.

The next step is to transfer your design onto the wet surface once the plaster is ready. This phase of the creative process demands accuracy and patience, but with practice, it becomes a fulfilling experience. You paint straight onto the plaster using natural pigments diluted with water. This method produces a vivid and durable image by allowing the colors to seep through and adhere to the plaster.

Preserving the fresco requires careful attention to detail during the drying process. It is important to shield the artwork from excessive moisture and direct sunlight in order to guarantee that the plaster cures evenly and the pigments set correctly. A well-crafted fresco becomes a monument to your creative endeavors over time, retaining its beauty and acquiring a timeless quality.

Making a fresco on raw plaster is a unique way to express creativity, regardless of your level of experience. It links you to an ancient art form that has been used for centuries to decorate walls. Through comprehension and application of the requisite techniques, one can produce an exquisite artwork that embodies their individual flair and endures over time.

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