Hello Ilia and co. Things have been going great here in the world of Fresco. Its still the only thing i think about, and i am grasping onto every concept i try my hand to with ease and almost perfect understanding as far as I can tell. I have been talking to everybody i meet about it, and a word that was once foreign to almost everyone in these parts is now buzzing on the lips of even people who have never taken brush in hand before in their life. People find it all so interesting.I truly beleive that this generation is on the advent of a new resurgence of Fresco that has been five hundred years in the making and i long with every fibre of my frame to do all i can for it. It feels so exciting. I'm so excited! I just had a few more tiny questions i was hoping to get some feedback on. Tid-bits to fill in the holes of my practice. But first just allow me to reiterate my gratitude for what all you guys are doing here for fresco. I truly believe what you are doing is elemental and a necessity for spreading the word across north america and the world. I beleive fresco is truly all about hard work and the reward that comes with it. The beginner must learn everything from the root up. Dig up his\her own sand, wash and mix into the plaster. Become intimate with every aspect of the Art, fall in Love with the mess'o that is fresco. And to see it come together is truly an amazing thing. Anyways.....
1. I was hoping you could give me some tips on washing sand? I have found a pit of sand down by the Grand River which runs through my city, and have been going down there with two 5 gallon buckets, filling up, and bringing them back, very, very slowely (with lots of stops). But its great. The other day i did it twice to stock up for winter, for soon the ground will be frozen. But i need a better way to wash it. Any sugestions other then just buying pre-washed sand? I read once that it was down in a barrel with a hose somehow, but i don;t know.
2. My next question is can I use Prussian Blue? Is it Fresco Friendly? It says it is made from 'ferri-ammonium ferrocyanide (PB27:1). I just bought it, but havn't had a chance to use it yet for anything. But i am finding everything i have, as long as its applied correctly, and the lime has been done well, that they all seem to stick just fine, and only seem to get harder as time goes on.
3. Im a little unclear as to what the golden hour is. Actually, i don;' think im unclear at all, but i need some sort of confirmation on the matter. I know its difficult to explain, but i would like to try and write what i observe when the time comes while im painting that i have been beleiving is my 'golden hour'. At first when i paint everything is very wet and clammy, the colors take longer to set in and often stay on the surface for sometime. As the plaster begins to cure it is able to draw more of the paint in, and layers of color are able to be applied more frequently. But at first, as far as detail, and presicion of lines go, it is difficult to be as accurate as you would like to be. But later on, hours later this time comes and all of a sudden everything is easier. Detail and precision flow from the brush. One thing i have noticed that is signature for everytime this happens for me is as i am painting a line with the brush, following just behind it, almost appearing to chase the brush, like fire from a match would chase a car that had a steady stream of gasoline leaking from its rear, you can see the plaster drink the paint only moments after they make their first kiss. Almost like the color goes from glossy to mat a second after it is layed down. For some reason this all makes excellant conditions for painting and if I am mistaken then i don't know. Does this make sense? Am i correct? wether i am or im not it certainly is a beautiful time. Im stil a little iffy on when to stop. I can't tell exactly when the plaster has finally locked up. But ive never had anything come off so maybe ive never gone that long. I don't have the data sheet for my lime so im not sure how pure it is.
Anyways.. thats all for now. I have gotten myself a couple pouncing wheels so i no longer have to do each hole with a pin, which is very relieving. Ive managed to join my Giornatas fairly seemlessly. Each one is better then the last. And now i am designing a large Fresco for the university here in town and am focusing on the problems of concept and design, and bringing something large scale from small prep drawings. I love it all so much. Thank you for your help and time.

Ryan Van Dijk