Introduction to the Art of Buon Fresco and Sgraffito

Course Level – Introductory*

"In order to succeed in fresco, the one should understand it's medium." Michelangelo

Buon Fresco

We are very excited to offer our students the opportunity to extend their knowledge of Italian plastering by learning the traditional buon (true) fresco and sgraffito techniques, guest taught by fine artist Holly Fields-Scott of Bella Pintura Inc .

Like our natural Italian plasters, buon fresco is the original "organic" method of painting. Just as with our Venetian plasters,… Show more in fresco a naturally occurring chemical process traps the pigment in the calcite crystal so that the painting is part of the structure of the substrate (versus applied on top, Fresco Secco), giving it luminous qualities. Like the ancient cave paintings, unearthed walls of Pompeii and the great paintings of the Renaissance masters, fresco painting is permanent. Fresco will not fade or flake off - the aged crumbling look of old frescoes is a result of the damage to the wall surface, not the painting itself. And like all of our finishes, it's "green"-- using natural powder pigments applied to lime plasters means that there are no petroleum-based solvents and no toxic fumes from volatile organic compounds (VOC's).

Sgraffito

We will also study another Renaissance decorative technique popularized in Italy in the 16th century. Sgraffito is a fresco technique of wall decor and architectural decoration, produced by applying layers of lime plaster tinted in contrasting colors to a moistened surface and then scratching through the top layer, revealing the colored layer beneath.
In this 3 day course, you'll learn the history of the art form and its various techniques, the creation of the “cartoni” (pattern) to transfer your image to the wall and the basics of color blending and “value” shading. You should plan to create two or three pieces of artwork depending on your comfort level, as part of the course. You will first learn to create a one color fresco in "verdaccio" (a sepia like color). This technique is used as the under painting for a full color fresco. It allows you to work out the shading of the composition prior to added veils of color over top.

Once the first technique is understood, you will be able to create a small full color fresco. You'll also create a sgraffitto sample using our fine Italian plasters.
Design patterns will be provided for instruction purposes. You are welcome to bring along your own photo copy of an image that inspires you. Please use an actual fresco reference and you will need a color copy and a black and white copy to work from.

*Introductory –Beginning level of understanding fresco and willingness to approach a new painting medium. Artistic experience – Beginner to intermediate
NEW! $950

50% Deposit due to reserve your space. Balance due by cash or check at start of class.

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