Fresco

Fresco is a technique for painting murals directly on wet plaster. Popularised during the Italian renaissance, the word literally translates to ‘fresh.'

There are two methods for fresco painting: buon fresco and fresco a secco. In both methods, layers of fine plaster are applied to the wall surface. The second-to-last layer, known as the arriccio, serves as the base for drawing the cartoon. The final layer of very smooth plaster is called the intonaco.

In buon fresco, paint is applied to the wet intonaco, with only as much plaster as can be painted in a single day being spread on the wall. This method ensures a strong bond between the fresco and the wall, and each day's work is referred to as a ‘giornata’. In fresco a secco, paint is applied when the surface is dry, either on top of dried buon fresco or on a dry intonaco.