Interior Decorative Techniques

10 Step Fresco Technique

Note: The amount of paint and the tools required depend on the square footage of your project. For guidance in calculating the size of your project, consult your local retailer.

The Process:

Step 1 – Apply the Base Coat

Starting with a well prepared dry brushed wall, use your ‘off white’ emulsion paint, (super matt), as your base, paint your wall(s) and allow at least 24 hours for it to dry. Cover with two coats, if required.

Step 2 – Tape the Ceiling

Before applying the glaze mixture to your wall, apply tape to the ceiling and baseboard.

Step 3 – Mix Pigment into a litre size container

Dilute the earth pigment into a litre size container of water. I usually start with two heaped table spoons to a litre of water, and top up as I go along , stirring constantly so as to keep the pigment moving throughout the water.

A Brief Definition of Earth Pigments: “Earth pigments are naturally occurring minerals, principally iron oxides, that people have used in paints for thousands of years for their natural colour. These natural pigments are found in rocks and soils around the world, where different combinations of minerals create vibrant colors that are unique to the regional landscapes.

The primary types are of earth pigments include

(1): Ochre – Comes from naturally tinted clay-containing mineral oxides, used for painting and preservation (2): Sienna – A form of limonite clay, color is derived from ferric oxides (3): Umber – A clay pigment that contains iron and manganese oxides, darker in color than ochres and sienna

Earth pigments are known for their fast drying time in oil painting, relative inexpensiveness and light fastness. Prehistoric cave paintings done in sienna still survive today.

Some earth pigments are roasted in order to intensify their colour.

Step 4: Topping Up

Top up with water when needed to prevent the colour becoming too dense and/or (b) top up with pigment (using a teaspoon each time) when colour becomes too transparent.

Step 5: – Applying Pigment

Wash the area in Yellow Ochre pigment for the first 3 layers and then continue with the Red Ochre pigment for the duration using either a dry brush, sponge or cheese cloth. I usually use a 4 inch brush and sponge and alternate between the two for different effects. Don’t worry!!! You’ll get the hang of it……after the first couple of coats, you will begin to build up a momentum and the paint will spread the way you want it to.

Step 6: -Drying Out

When you are happy with the colour density, let it sit over night to dry out completely.

Step 7: – Begin Sanding

The next day, using a dust mask, begin sanding the colour back, gradually increasing the grade of sand paper. Remember, you can NEVER put on too much earth pigment, but if you are not careful at this point, you CAN remove too much. So, like I said..nice & easy does it. Continue this until you are happy with the result.

Step 8: – Applying the pattern Be careful here…the paint being used for the pattern is artists (tubes) acrylic paint so if it is applied too heavy it can be difficult to sand back the pattern ….I learned this the hard way! When finished the pattern, again, leave it to dry over night ( I usually make my own stencil design or free draw it but don’t worry, if you don’t want to go to the bother of making or drawing your own…..never fear…..there’s a huge variety of stencils that can now be bought on line or in your local arts/crafts retailer).

Step 9: – Final Sanding The following day, using a dust mask, gradually, increase the grade of sand paper & continue to sand the walls until you are happy with the final result.

Step 10: – Finishing Touches Using a a brush, apply a flat matt water based traders glaze, almost like you are dusting with the tip of a feather duster. This is very important as earth pigment moves when glaze is applied, and the colour will also deepen, so you will need to be careful that you do not end up with very obvious brush strokes…(otherwise, it’s back to sanding again).

Then…TAH DA!!! Stand back & admire your very hard but rewarding work!

MY ADVICE

This technique is not for the faint-hearted! You may have applied 20 or more layers of paint before you are happy with the final colour so be prepared for lots of layering and lots of sanding if you want to achieve this ‘fresco’ effect! Most important…..do NOT feel tempted to skip step 10! Earth pigment MUST BE SEALED as it can be toxic when dry, particularly Blues and Greens. Also, if you do not glaze the finish, every time you rub up against it, you will come away covered in pigment dust…NOT GOOD!!! Always use a mask when handling or sanding pigment in dry form…it should not be inhaled!

MY TIP

The process is as much about ‘taking paint off’ as it is about ‘putting paint on,’ so, nice and easy with that sanding. This is not something that can be done in a hurry and if it all sounds too much for you, ……..you can always call on your Paint ‘Fairy Godmother’…(that would be ME)!!!!