I brought back pigments from Italy to try attempting my own fresco. While I was in Rome studying, a class was offered at my college on fresco painting. In this class we only took pigments which were in a powdered form and added them to distilled water. Sometimes we added calce to lighten a color.

What I would like to know is how pigments are mixed using a glass surface and muller(sp)? Also I would like to know is there a special proceedure for mixing more than one color together? I noticed in a photo from Ben Long's site a note which said "Mix two colors first before adding a third." We always kept our colors in clear glass jars. Occassionally they would need to be spun. In photos from the "True Fresco Workshop" and other links to this site, I have noticed the colors look like a paste. Can these be held on a pallete instead of using glass jars?

Anyone who can explain how the colors are prepared by the pros, I would appreciate a response.

Thanks,

Jerry