LAST EDITED ON 07-Dec-00 AT 03:15 AM (PST) by admin (admin)

Hi Karla!
Plaster does not "dry" - it sets. To be exact it sets first and then water, that is in the plaster evaporates. You can wet the "dry" plaster afterwards and it will absorb water and then water will evaporate, and you can do it over and over again and it will not "melt" the plaster. I am not "chasing" terms - it is important to understand that we are talking about two different things/processes - setting and evaporating of the water (drying)
What important is the first one - setting or carbonization.
You can only pain fresco while this "setting" is not yet complete - plaster may still look "wet" 3 days after it sets.
The sign of when you should stop painting is when plaster "locks up" - applied color starts to look "bleachy" as you apply it. If the plaster is done right you should have several hours before it happens. However there are many signs and details to that, one can learn them only through practicing.
Taking a workshop is important - you will see how to do it right and will be able to use that experience to evaluate your work after. You need a reference - to see where you are going other way it is like walking in the blind, you will eventually succeed by trial and error but for the show in January it may be tricky.

The steps for painting are the same as for any other medium underpainting + values and shadows + colour + detail. On a large giornata mixes mast be "wetter" at the beginning and at the end of the day. Middle of the day falls on the end of "values and shadows" + 2/3 - 3/4 of the "colour". It is a basic layout - every wall/panel has its own "life"/nuances.

Check http://www.truefresco.com/technique.html for a step-by-step demonstration of the painting of a fresco panel.

Good luck and thank you for the kind words!

ilia