Fresco is one of the oldest ways to paint walls. They were also used to decorate the walls of antique villas and ancient Russian temples. It is possible to bring a share of luxury into the space of an apartment or restaurant even now, although, of course, the technique of fresco has changed over the past centuries.
Classic approach
Once upon a time, the execution of a fresco was within the power of only masters with a whole team of assistants. After all, it was necessary to paint with special paints on wet plaster - then the ground and the image became one and could be preserved for a long time. But because of this, the artist had to finish the work in one day - to paint the entire section prepared in the morning. If the hand suddenly trembled, it was impossible to redraw, only cut out the damaged piece of plaster and rub in a new one. The very name of the technique comes from the word fresco, that is, "fresh".
A classic fresco involves the use of mixed fine sand and lime (sometimes with the addition of marble dust) as a base. The painters used color pigments dissolved in water as paints. To retouch the dried image, they took paints mixed with an egg, oil or water.
Trying to replicate this process today and at home is very difficult. First, the task is within the power of only an artist with a full hand. Moreover, during the work it is difficult to imagine the final result, because after drying, such paints changed color. Secondly, it is no longer possible to get natural ingredients that were used several centuries ago.
With your own hands
Over time, all types of murals began to be called fresco. In this version, the "fresco" can be done by almost any person. Moreover, ordering such a picture from a real master costs a lot of money.
It is most convenient to paint a homemade mural with acrylic paints. They are easy to use, dry quickly and do not require varnishing. If you take gouache or tempera (or paint with watercolors on raw plaster), the work will need to be varnished to preserve it.
The first step is to prepare the wall - align, plaster and sand so that the surface becomes as smooth as possible. The drawing chosen for the fresco is copied onto the wall. It is best to draw out the contours and borders not with a pencil, but outline them with a thin needle. Pencil marks can be visible under light paint, and scratched lines are easier to hide. Then the wall is covered with primer - special acrylic or just PVA adhesives, slightly diluted with water. After drying, the shed becomes transparent and forms a glossy film on which the paints fall evenly. Then, referring to the sample, paint the drawing, allow it to dry and, if necessary, varnish it.
If the drawing is applied with watercolors to plaster, there is no need to prime the surface, but it is important to choose bright colors and apply them with juicy strokes. When dry, the watercolor on the plaster will fade a little.
