>when
>i looked at the plaster
>from an angle it had
>quite a bit of moisture
>in some areas of the
>surface, like it was "sweating"....after
>applying the plaster, assuming that
>the mixture is correct, is
>there a period of waiting
>before one should begin....

Hi Karla!

This is a tough question! You, perhaps, noticed that some areas a moist and some are not so. There are countless amount of combinations that can determine the plaster/painting behaviors and steps that you have to take - with a fare amount of experiments and practice you will do it by hart.
This is one of the major reasons for our workshops. You must know how every layer of the plaster will affect the final layer - intonaco and the painting process. At the workshop we will show how to prepare the plaster and what to do to control the it while painting. The book or written instructions can only give you the general outline of the process, plus some general "error signs". You need to see and follow an experienced person to get a "feel" of what to do or there is always an option of trial and error.

Ilia
Fresco Workshop in Your Town Program
http://www.truefresco.com/workshop