UK
Summer School Programme 16-20 August 2004
Five day fresco course on the Isle of Wight, run under the Quay Arts at Jubilee Stores, Newport, Isle of Wight.
Bookings and enquiries Quay Arts Centre

Fresco is an ancient method of painting on to wet plaster requiring the artist to make a direct and immediate transmission of ideas and concepts. The magic of fresco is in the use of natural pigments which become pure, bright and luminous as they are fixed permanently into the surface - the painting becomes stone. The course will cover the basic techniques of fresco painting including demonstrations. Students will work on terracotta tiles and four-foot square panels prepared with metal lath. They will learn how to prepare and lay the necessary three layers of plaster, to plan and draw out the design and to paint the fresco in stages, using natural pigment. Other more involved techniques can be covered, as students require.
STUDENTS MAY, IF THEY WISH, WORK FROM A COPY OF AN OLD FRESCO PAINTING. ALL MATERIALS WILL BE PROVIDED.

This course will appeal to artists who are fascinated by the colours and textures seen in ancient paintings. The beauty of the natural pigments and the range of surfaces are inspiration in themselves. The course will cover a broad range of methods and techniques for both egg tempera and fresco painting. I will start by showing you how to prepare a support and ground, including preparation and application of gesso and lime plaster. I will then move on to cover the techniques used in gilding, buon fresco (painting onto wet plaster), stucco lucido (wax painting onto wet plaster) and egg tempera. During the course you will be using natural pigments and learning about their particular qualities.

In the first week students will work on samples and in the second week you will be encouraged to explore the possibilities of these techniques in your own work. There will be opportunities to visit historical sites to see the techniques used by renaissance and roman masters.