>If anyone can help - two problems: (1) what do I
>need to seal my vp with before I use a glaze
>over it; what is better, water or oil glaze; is

no difference, really - it is personal preference, certain effects are easier with oil glaze (furniture, wood stain/glazing also a bit better with oil glazes), but last time I glazed with oil was 6 years ago...

>the problem that I am attempting to layer an oil
>glaze over still-damp plaster;

Yes, a big one...

>should I trowel
>it before applying the glaze;

How would you put it on whithout troweling? Did i miss something?

>FYI - I am mixing
>my own glaze/no premixed products, please; and

This is really irrelevant - glaze is just a glue. Artists used to make there own using casein.
I found out that for me Zinzer glaze works the best (you need to add color to it).

>(2) how about layering fine or coarser
>vp/marmorino-do I let the first layer dry
>completely, I assume, before applying the
>second; and do I then sand back the second coat?

Well, this is a complex question, since you can plaster wet-into-wet to obtain multicolored mottled look.

and if you use "true" marmorino products sanding is not needed - you do it (make it flat) with trowel. I did hear that some new products made to need sanding (it is assumed to be easier to apply for make-it-youselfers) but never used those, however these products would have instructions on the label.

But if you are asking about base coat and finish coat then, yes, base coat has to be completely dry before another one goes on.

>
>By the way, do I then need to apply a
>sealer/fixative to (1) or (2)?

You can put the sealer over your final coat - and if you are glazing - glaze would be the sealer.