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Venetian Plastering
Venetian plastering is rapidly becoming one of the most popular finishes.
Historically, decorative plaster finishes can be divided into two main
categories. The first, known as fresco (from the Italian for fresh),
involves mixing pigments with water and applying them to a plaster surface
that is still wet. The second, known as fresco secco (from the Italian for
dry), involves decorating the plaster with pigments mixed with water after
it has dried.
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Examples of the first category - "pure" fresco - are quite rare, due to the fact that many pigments undergo inevitable chemical changes when applied to wet plaster. The result is that the painter or artist finds it difficult or impossible to guarantee the color of his or her work. Consequently, many frescoes are in fact created using a combination of the wet and dry methods; the "stable" pigments being applied first to the wet plaster, and the "unstable" pigments, having been mixed with a binding or fixing agent, applied after the plaster has dried.
Painting directly onto plaster, whether wet or dry, has a long history and was used extensively throughout the Medieval period. Walls were often covered in tempera or plaster, then washed with color using a mixture of pigment, powdered chalk or whiting and water. A grid of simple red lines intended to represent masonry blocks was sometimes added and heraldic devices and designs copied from illuminated manuscripts were also used to decorate the plaster.
Venetian Plastering: sealer, off white and terracotta latex based paints.
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Start by preparing the bare surface by cleaning it well, making sure no oils
or waxes are present. With your surface clean and dust free, apply your
joint compound in a thin, random manner. Remember - you are trying to
create texture, so be creative.
Once the plaster has dried for 24 hours, apply 2 coats of latex sealer.
After the sealer has dried, apply the base color of off white latex. Allow
to dry for a few hours. Then, on top of this base coat, apply your chosen
color. In our case, we are using a terracotta latex.
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While the main color is still wet, take a large dry brush and rub the paint into the surface. Repeat if the effect is patchy.
Taking the standard color a step further, apply a light coat of watered down off white latex, then, as illustrated in the image below, use another dry brush and rub this color into the surface. Again, be sure to wipe your dry brush in between strokes.
To summarize:
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Venetian plastering is one of our favorite finishes to complete, as it offers so many positive properties to a finished room. To start with, Venetian plaster can offer great hiding properties, making it a great finish for older homes with wall defects. Venetian plaster offers a depth that simply can not be duplicated with a painted effect. It's relatively easy to complete this finish. All one requires is some joint compound, latex paint and a suitable room to apply it in.
Venetian plaster will offer a rich, luxurious finish that will last for years and years.
Practice applying the joint compound in a 5 foot by 5 foot wall section, to make sure that you are comfortable with the patterns that can be created with your putty knife. Just make sure you don't let the compound dry completely. Scrape it off the wall after practicing.
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