Hi there - this is Suzie, your real live trainee plasterer, here to give you some help if I can re doing frescoes in different climates. Italy seems to be the best place. In London, England, frescoes have been painted int the main museums but the drying time between coats was a year to 8 months because of our rotten climate.

As for cracks apearing, as far as I know, the artists planned their giornatas (day pieces) in such a way as to minimise cracks showing. If you look closely at the old works you will see that they suffer from cracks. Lime putty/plaster is brilliant for healing its own cracks.

Controlling humidity while actually plastering & painting the fresco is very important - if you would like to discuss some tips on how this can be done post a message back to me.

If you are doing frescoes in a climate with very wide temperature ranges it is my opinion that cracks in the work will be inevitable unless when it's completed it is put behind a glass or perspex panel within which the humidity can be controlled. Perhaps you could ask a museum curator's opinion as to how this can be achieved.

If I can help further I will.

Regards

Suzie