Fresco Panel Painting, with Julie Jones. Sunday 18 October, 1pm-4:30pm Approx End Time

You will learn to make a small fresco portable panel by applying fresh lime plaster to hessian on wood. You will also be shown alternative methods of painting on lime plaster, as well as about the materials. You will then be able to learn to paint on this portable panel, in the same method used in ancient frescoes throughout the world.

Whilst the lime plaster remains wet, you will learn different ways of making an image on your panel by painting with raw pigments suspended in water, into the fresh plaster. There are natural earth pigments, as well as a few artificially produced blues to give a full range of colour.

You will learn how to make a ‘cartoon’ from a drawing to transfer onto the plaster, as fresco painters use this because there is only a short amount of time to get the image how you would like. You also have the option to paint more freely.

Julie will help guide you find an image that means something to you, inspired by land and nature. There will be dried flowers available to paint in the workshop. Also you can choose to bring a drawing or natural object to work from along with you. Though there will be plenty of time to do this. There will be images of examples of frescos from around the world to inspire you. The panels are around 20cm square and under.

You will be shown ways to layer the pigments to create new colours and effects, to use texture with the plaster, how to apply the pigment in layers, and also shown examples of different types of fresco techniques.

Julie is a painter based in Machynlleth, who mostly works in oil on canvas. She trained in fresco painting 20 years ago with two fresco tutors who had each trained in Italy. She spent months experimenting with fresco and then undertook an art residency working with fresco with a resulting exhibition and workshops. She has been an art and design tutor at FE level, and has delivered various workshops in painting and drawing. She has more recently taught fresco painting workshops at Green Gathering Crafts field in summer 2026.

Health and Safety.

The Lime putty /Lime mortar used in fresco can burn skin and eyes. You will need to have long sleeved clothing and goggles. You can bring your own or goggles can be provided. You need to wear safety gloves such as nitrile gloves at all times when working with lime. There are nitrile gloves available (non latex). There will be aprons provided or you can bring your own. The raw pigments can also be dusty. We will take care to use these diluted. Please bring a warm layer so we can ventilate the workshop.