Textured painting with your own hands. Painting on wet plaster: the experience of the modern application of traditional artistic techniques

Drawings on wet plaster are made outside the building and indoors. This is practically an art that not everyone can master and perform with their own hands. How the drawings are applied, the article will tell you the subtleties of the process.

Painting with water-based paints on wet plaster is called a fresco. When creating frescoes, earlier artists used paints with the addition of glue or casein to them, which significantly increased their shelf life.

Features of the creation of frescoes are:

The paint is absorbed by the layer of plaster, and the brush should slide easily over this plaster.
Rolling paint, or leaving streaks, indicates dry plaster that has stopped absorbing paint, allowing a fresco to be created.
This “defective” part of the wall must be removed and a new plaster layer applied.
Work can be continued.

Painting on plaster is often used in decorating rooms.

The advantages of artistic painting are:

The composition created on the wall becomes unique and inimitable in its kind.
She can decorate the walls with completely different compositions, these can be:

simple ornaments;
complex landscape panels.

Drawings on the walls emphasize any interior of the room.

The biggest disadvantage of artistic wall painting on plaster is the need for a person to have artistic talent.

In addition, the disadvantages of coverage include:

Drawing on wet plaster is difficult to apply on your own.
You need to be able to draw.
The price of work when attracting specialists can be quite large.
It is necessary that the speed of work execution be high.
Careful preparation of surfaces for painting is needed.

Painting on plaster has the following features when performing work:

Picturesque plastering for damp rooms is a complex and very lengthy process that requires control during its implementation by an invited specialist.

Tip: Before applying the image to the wall, you should draw a sketch on it with the outlines of the desired pattern, and then water-soluble paints are applied with brushes

Outlining sketches on the wall begins with drawing the contours of areas with the presence of dark colors on them.
The technique of painting on wet plaster requires a sufficiently damp base. This can be determined in this way: when stains appear on the surface after the brush, this place of plaster is cleaned with a spatula and again covered with a new composition.

The peculiar absorption of the pigment of the paint by lime or any other components of the plaster, after drying, the picture allows it to acquire its characteristic depth.

Tip: If you want to do the fresco yourself, but there are doubts about making the painting high quality and fast enough, you need to try your hand at a small area of wet plaster or on a dry surface.

How to prepare walls for painting

Any finishing work begins with high-quality preparation of the base.

The table shows the main stages of this process:

No. p / p	the name of the operation	Order of conduct
1	Removing the old coating	All finishing materials are removed, old plaster is removed. Tip: If the layer is very strong in some areas, you can leave it on. The surface is swept with a broom from dust and debris.
2	Notching	The entire surface of the wall with a perforator with a chisel nozzle or an old ax is covered with shallow notches, up to 8 millimeters deep. For one square meter area, the number of notches should be up to 120 pieces. Dust is removed from the wall.
3	Priming	To ensure maximum adhesion of the plaster to the wall, the surface is primed with two or three layers of a penetrating compound (see Wall primer and all on this issue).
4	Foundation plaster	On top of the primed and moistened surface, a base layer of a plaster mixture is applied, designed for rough leveling of defects on the wall. The cover dries well. The remaining layers are applied, which serve as the main one for creating the painting.

How to prepare a solution

The secret of the fresco masters is the preparation of a solution for plastering surfaces. When painting on the walls, plaster, or rather the proportions of its components, are selected independently, there is no universal option: different compositions of mixtures have their pros and cons.

They can be used:

The basis of the mortar for plaster is lime (see We prepare the mortar for lime plaster ourselves). With the improvement of its quality, the strength of the material increases, the better the paint will lie on it. The most pure and fresh building lime is purchased, regardless of its cost.
Lime is quenched with clean water and left for about 15 days, which significantly improves its properties.
Coarse sand is added or a mixture of it with brick chips, which is preferable, which will serve as a filler.

Tip: When applying a fresco on the street, sand is able to provide it with the necessary margin of safety. In this case, the amount of brick chips in the mixture should be reduced to a minimum.

Hemp, previously finely chopped, or cellulose fiber is added, which increases the elasticity of the composition and protects it from cracking into the mixture.

The composition is prepared right before the start of plastering work, and then painting.

Approximate proportions of the mixture:

base layer:

three parts filler.

face layer:

one part of lime dough;
2.2 parts filler.

If it is necessary to apply the composition of more than two layers for the front coating, a more greasy solution is taken, in which the ratio of components is 1: 1.8.

How plaster is applied

The instruction for painting on wet plaster is called differently.

fresco painting, involves the following sequence of performance of all operations:

The prepared surface is moistened at least 24 hours before the start of work.
Moisturizing is repeated 90 minutes before the start of the plastering process.

The first layer up to eight millimeters thick is thrown onto the surface. The solution is evenly distributed on the wall with a trowel for plaster without unnecessary smoothing.
Wavy lines are applied up to two millimeters deep in increments of up to 40 millimeters. These grooves will form a relief that will ensure maximum adhesion of the plaster layers.
The first layer dries for at least 12 days.
The surface is wetted until it is completely saturated with liquid.
A second layer is applied, which will be intermediate.

Tip: The second layer is not necessary, but beginners should not rush: two-layer frescoes are more sensitive to technology violations.

If a whitish coating appears on the surfaces of the base layers, it must be cleaned off and the wall re-moistened. Otherwise, the adhesion of the plaster base will be disturbed, which over time will lead to delamination of the fresco.
After drying all the preliminary layers of plaster, the latter is moistened and a face mortar is applied. Due to the rapid drying, it should be laid in small sections, parallel to the painting on the wall.

Some nuances of wall painting

In advance, you need to prepare everything you need to paint the wall:

Image sketch.
Water based acrylic paints.
Tools.

The work is performed in the following sequence:

After leveling the plaster, with the help of a needle, the contours from the sketch are “peeled” onto the base. It is better to outline the main lines with a sharp pencil tip or an awl, as in the photo.

Paints diluted with water are applied with soft wide brushes, following a certain sequence:

light shades are laid;
mid tones;
dark colors.

Smears are applied with light movements, so that the brush does not “clean off” the drying lime composition from the wall. If whitish stains appear in the paint, the brush must be thoroughly rinsed and the pressure on the tool should be reduced during operation.
Drawing is repeated, but in reverse order:

dark paint is laid;
medium colors;
light shades.

This will create smooth transitions between shades. And in areas where the light paint has already been absorbed into the base, it will be possible to repeat the highlighting, which will make the picture more contrasting.

At the end of the painting of the site, the edges that are not filled with plaster are carefully cut off with a spatula and a knife to form an external bevel, on which the gypsum mortar is applied again and smoothed until the seam disappears.
Painting operations are repeated again.

The most difficult is the final stage of work: you can not touch the fresco for about 10 days. This is due to the fact that when the plaster dries, the absorption of paint occurs unevenly, which can unpredictably change the shades of the image.

Tip: Until the plaster is completely dry, the room must be protected from drafts and temperature changes.

Applying a drawing on wet plaster with paints is a rather complicated technique; far from every artist can master it at the proper level.

But with a great desire and artistic taste, you can try, and the video in this article and some recommendations will help in the early stages.

The origins of craftsmanship or the prehistory of modern fresco.

Fresco or painting on wet plaster is an invention of the construction industry by no means of our time. You can meet frescoes in the architecture of the Aegean period. In Europe, temples and churches were decorated with frescoes. Among the famous artists - masters of fresco, Michelangelo received great popularity and fame. One way or another, painting on wet plaster has firmly entered our lives. Wall paintings are present in architecture Ancient Greece and Rome, Byzantium, Italy and Ancient Russia. In our modern times, painting on wet plaster has entered in a somewhat modernized version. - comments of the master.

The technique of fresco painting is quite complex, but one of its advantages lies in its durability, provided that all the rules for its application are observed. Let's reveal a few secrets of the right fresco. Firstly, it is necessary to prepare the walls for applying decorative plaster. It lies in the fact that special grooves, cracks and potholes are made in the walls. Secondly, before applying the plaster, the surface of the walls must be moistened with water. Herself decorative plaster is a rather coarse solution containing coarse sand. The layer thickness should be from 2 to 5 cm, while 5 cm is the best option, convenient for further leveling. It should be noted that alignment is done without grouting. Next, large scratches are applied to the surface crosswise, which is necessary for greater adhesion to the next layer and the strength of the entire painting. This is the preparatory stage of work. The next layer is applied after the previous one has completely dried, so up to 5 layers of plaster can be applied. The last layers are applied in a thin layer and in small areas. Drawing technique.

After the layers of decorative plaster are ready, the master proceeds to painting. If an artist in antiquity had no more than 10 minutes to draw a picture, then our contemporaries do not need to rush. Today, an artist can think of a drawing, put it on paper, and only then transfer the image or pattern to the surface of the wall. The procedure for transferring a picture also has its own characteristics. The image is divided into fragments and by piercing the paper along the contour of the image with a needle is transferred to the wall. Also, in order for the surface of the wall to be white enough for the pattern, lime mortar is applied to the plaster. The process of applying paint also has its own characteristics. To do this, use soft brushes, apply the drawing in small strokes and very carefully so as not to raise the lime base and prevent mixing. Otherwise, the paints will have whitish streaks after drying. You should also avoid applying too thick a layer of paint, as it may not be absorbed into the plaster, and after drying it will simply crack and crumble. Among other rules for applying paints important to mention the following: - light tones are applied initially, then medium and dark; - when re-applying paints, the staining procedure is carried out in the reverse order - first the master paints over dark tones, then medium and light ones; - for the clarity of the image in ancient times, artists applied gray ocher, also called reft, under blue colors, and yellow under all the others. In general, painting on wet plaster requires slowness, accuracy and care, since it is almost impossible to redo an already completed drawing.

Painting on plaster has come to us since ancient times; the surviving ancient temples and palaces are painted using this technology. This technique of external and interior decoration walls allows you to create an individual, unique image in residential and public spaces.

You can paint both wet and dry plastered wall surfaces. To create a real masterpiece on the surface of the wall, you will have to invite an artist who knows how to work in this direction. A simple pattern or drawing can be applied with your own hands, but for this you need to study the technology of wall painting.

Types of painting

To get a fresco, the image must be applied to wet plaster.

Painting on plaster is gaining popularity every year and is a worthy alternative to wallpaper.

Many are interested in the name of painting on wet plaster.

Translated from Italian, the word raw is translated as.

There are two types of application:

on a dry surface, an artist or a person who knows how to draw well can perform. Hand drawing will cost more than painting on a wet surface according to a sketch;
painting on wet plaster is called a fresco. You need to have time to apply the image before the surface dries. This technique requires careful preparation.

The technology for painting on wet and dry surfaces is significantly different. When choosing the application method, they are guided by the requirements for the appearance of the image, the availability of funds and time, and personal artistic skills.

It is important not to break the technology, then the image will last a long time

Even if it is not planned to do the work with your own hands, specialists need to be controlled. The final result and durability of the image depend on their strict adherence to the technology of performing work. If the technological process is violated, it may turn out that the image will begin to crack and crumble over time.

To create a quality one, you will need:

as a basis, they use a wall that has not had time to dry, plastered in several layers;
a sketch of the drawing must be prepared in advance, if it occupies a large area, it is divided into sections;
a sketch is applied to wet plaster, then it is painted, adhering to the application technology.

The technology of creating a fresco requires the skill and skill of the artist. If there is no self-confidence, it is better to invite a specialist.

Image selection

The wall on which the image is applied should be open and naturally lit. If wall painting is done on your own, it is better to choose a simple image containing no more than 3 colors.

Surface preparation

Prepare the wall by making small holes in the wall

In order for the plaster to hold firmly, you need to make the surface on which we will apply the solution as rough as possible.

First, remove all exfoliating parts of building materials.

For a stronger grip, shallow potholes on the wall are made with a perforator or jackhammer.

If the wall was previously plastered, knock down the solution in those places where it does not hold well. The primer of the wall will provide a good setting of materials and contribute to the dedusting of the surface.

Solution preparation

Add brick chips or quartz sand to the mortar

The plaster mortar is prepared on the basis of fresh lime of the highest grade with the addition of brick chips or quartz sand. Brick crumb prolongs the drying time of the solution, this makes it possible to apply a pattern.

Lime is preliminarily quenched with water until the corresponding reaction in the solution stops. To do this, leave the lime, filled with water, to stand for several days.

The composition of the solution for each layer will need different. The table shows the proportions of mixed materials:

Applying plaster

To get the perfect result, you need to strictly follow the application technology. The work is carried out in several stages, depending on their implementation appearance and picture quality.

Application steps:

The consistency of the solution should be such that the spatula, lowered into it, comes out dry. This guarantees minimal shrinkage of the mortar after it has been applied to the wall. To increase the strength of the plaster, chopped hemp and flax fiber are added to the solution.

Drawing an image

Even experienced craftsmen prepare the drawing on thick paper in advance. It is not necessary to draw every detail, the main thing is to clearly highlight the contours of the main elements. If the composition is large, it is cut into several identical parts. When choosing a size, take into account that each part must be applied to the wall in one go. Watch the master class on wall painting in this video:

The contours of the drawing are applied with a needle to wet plaster

Step-by-step instruction wall painting:

When the surface is leveled, the contours of the pattern are transferred to wet plaster by piercing with a needle along the contour of the pattern or by extrusion. interesting idea is the transfer of the contour by tracing the contour of the image transmitted by the overhead projector.
Painting on wet plaster begins with large objects, gradually moving on to smaller details. Use soft brushes. Draw from light elements, gradually painting over darker areas. At the end of painting, they pass the second layer, starting to apply first dark tones, then moving on to lighter tones.
The junction of the edges of the painting is carefully cut with a knife to make an outer bevel. Put plaster on the unfilled edges and smooth it so that the seam is not visible. Continue painting.
After the drawing has been worked out, shadows are applied, the main layers are isolated, tinted and glazed.
After the image has dried, the surface needs to be sanded. Then the image is rubbed with wax, which protects the surface from destruction and fading of paints under external influences. For more information on how to apply a fresco, see this video:

As long as the brush glides easily over the wall, the paint is well absorbed, penetrating the base and fixing in it. If furrows remain after the stroke, the plaster has dried, you need to cut it off in this area, apply a new layer of plaster, and only then continue to apply the drawing.

After finishing painting the fresco, it must not be touched for 7-14 days. Paints are absorbed unevenly, so while the surface dries, the saturation of colors can change several times. When the image dries, it will take on the desired look.

To keep the image bright after drying, choose brighter colors

To get a high-quality image on the wall, you need to consider a few tips:

when choosing paints, take into account that after drying the color fades significantly, you need to choose brighter colors;
the image is selected so that if the purpose of the room changes, it is in harmony with the design of the new room. You should not choose flashy, annoying tones and paintings depicting scenes of war, etc.;
while the plaster dries, the room must be protected from drafts, direct sunlight and sudden changes in temperature;
paints are applied with a light pressure of the brush, so as not to damage the base. Apply a thin layer, a thick layer is not completely absorbed into the plaster;
to depict haze, lime white is added to the pigments.

Colors are applied from lighter to darker. Be sure to follow such a sequence so that light colors have time to soak into the plaster. When the artist moves backwards, he sees where the tone has faded and needs to be updated.

Painting on dry plaster

This type of painting is used much less frequently than fresco. They call drawing a picture on a dry wall - Alsecco. For a detailed master class on painting, see this video:

Paints for painting based on casein dough

Since the artist does not depend on surface drying processes, this type of work does not require speed.

For painting, paints based on lime and casein dough are used. They are completely safe for health and are suitable for decorating children's rooms.

A professional artist or a person who knows how to draw well will cope with such work. Handmade unique, it costs more than drawing a drawing according to a finished sketch.

The surface, which is the basis for drawing, must be perfectly flat. Be sure to prime the walls before painting.

Before applying the image, the surface of the wall is moistened. Paints are applied in several layers. Each subsequent layer is applied after the previous one has dried.

Paints for painting

You can paint on wet plaster with water, lime or tempera paints. Consider their properties in the table:

№	Type of paint	Characteristics
1	Water based	Colors are diluted with water, it is possible to add calcium oxide hydrate (lime) to the composition.
2	Lime	Paints are made on the basis of lime paste or lime water. They are convenient to make edits on a dried basis.
3	Tempera	Used to retouch the finished image. The composition includes eggs, casein, dry pigments, additives that slow down the hardening of the paint.
4	Adhesive

On sale there is a wide variety of types of paints for painting walls on wet and dry.

When performing work, the master must take into account all the nuances of the applied application technique. It is important to prevent violation of the integrity of the plaster layer.

This can happen if the artist is inexperienced trying to blend the applied color with the wet tint of the previous layer. Painting with more than 3 color shades requires special attention and skill.

Painting on wet plaster is becoming increasingly popular due to the ability to create unique images on the wall.

Modern market decorative materials for decorating the interior today is replete with its diversity. It is not surprising, since consumer demands are constantly growing. And despite the wide choice finishing materials, wallpapers, stained-glass windows and stretch fabrics, hand-painted walls in the interior remain unique and one of the most expensive room decors.

Each wall painting is unique in its own way, even if it is a replica. famous painting. After all, artists leave a piece of their own soul in each of their creations, creating masterpieces and a unique atmosphere of the entire room.

The picture on the wall is sure to attract the eyes of guests

Each drawing is unique

Wall painting is one of the most expensive decor options.

Artistic wall painting in the interior is the central element of the decor. It catches the eye, depending on the viewing angle, lighting, it can change, playing with new colors.

Therefore, special attention should be paid to the choice of plot, color palette, as well as the quality of the work performed. Despite the artistic and aesthetic value, such decor can also perform the following functions.

A high-quality drawing is voluminous and multifaceted. With it, you can visually expand the boundaries of the room.
Depending on the selected image, you can visually change the geometry of the room: visually “raise” the ceiling or level the littered arch.
There are no size restrictions, it all depends on the wishes and imagination of the customer. You can create both a huge landscape of sizes on the entire wall, and decorate the room with miniature pictures.
Given the wide popularity of vintage items, some images are specially covered with craquelure, creating an aging effect. In this way, you can mask the defects of the room (cracks or irregularities).

An important rule for painting walls in the interior is to comply with the measure. Oversaturation of the room with this type of decor will turn a cozy corner into a museum of fine art. Also an important point is right choice drawing for decorating an apartment. So, for example, the image of cartoon characters will not look harmonious in a living room decorated in a classic style.

With the help of the picture, you can visually expand the boundaries of the room

Drawing can be any size

Preparing the base before applying paint is an important step in the work. The subsequent service life of the wall masterpiece, as well as the transfer of color and the principle of applying paints, depend on its quality. Like any preparatory work, it consists of several stages.

Clean the wall from the old coating, plaster, remove all unnecessary elements (nails, reliefs).

Seal gaps and irregularities, if necessary, use a reinforcing mesh.

Degrease the surface with a special alkaline solution.

Apply leveling plaster, remove roughness after complete drying and prime.

Apply a small layer of finishing putty. After drying, clean from defects to a smooth state and prime.

After that, you can apply a masterpiece.

Before drawing a picture, it is worth preparing the wall

If everything is done according to the rules, the drawing will please the eye for a very long time.

The drawing should be drawn according to the sketch

Paints for painting walls in the interior

When choosing paints for a wall image, it is important to give preference to high-quality and certified brands, because the final result largely depends on them. There are several types of paints.

For specific purposes, you can choose the right paint

Paint should be chosen from trusted manufacturers

Wall painting brushes

The brush is one of the key tools in this work. An exception is an abstraction, which is created using a special tool - sponging. An experienced artist has a stock of several brushes of different thicknesses. So, for example, thin brushes are used to work out thin and small lines, thicker ones are used to create three-dimensional sections of the picture.

The quality of the brush hair also plays a significant role. More expressive lines are obtained with squirrel or pony hair brushes.

For some paintings, stencils, pencils, spray cans and felt-tip pens can also be used.

If all the rules have been followed, the end result will pleasantly surprise you.

All materials must be of high quality

The quality of the drawing also depends on the brushes used to paint.

Wall painting in the interior: varieties of performance techniques

Like any kind of art, wall painting is developing, new drawing techniques are emerging. The most popular interior painting techniques are shown in the table below.

Name	The essence of the method
	The work is carried out with special paints on dry plaster with lime in its composition. After the pattern has dried, it is covered with a special calcium film.
Sgraffito	The essence of the method is to apply several layers of multi-colored plaster to the wall. After that, the necessary drawing is scratched out on it. The technique requires a highly skilled performer. The result is a three-dimensional image with several contrasting colors.
3D image	The work is carried out in several stages: Creating a three-dimensional pattern from plaster or plaster. Painting the dried layer with colored paints.
Alsecco	The essence of the method is similar to the work in the fresco style. The difference is that the plaster must dry completely, but before applying the image, it must be moistened with water.
Application of acrylic paints	There are no restrictions on the choice of the basis for drawing a picture. The result depends on the skill of the author and can embody any design ideas.
Aerography	The work is carried out with special cans of aerosol paint.
Grisaille	The finished masterpiece resembles a retro-style painting. Here one color and all its gradations are used.

For specific purposes, its own drawing method is used.

There are many drawing methods.

Hand-painted walls in the interior of different rooms

For each room, you should choose an image, as well as a color palette, depending on the overall interior concept, the style of the room, as well as its intended purpose.

Bedroom

The bedroom is a place of relaxation. Here it is important to stick to discreet and calm shades and images, avoiding aggressive themes. You should not decorate the walls, depicting whirlpools and waterfalls, raging elements on them. Withering plants and predators in the bedroom are also not appropriate. Choosing a picture for painting the interior in the bedroom, you can use the rules of Feng Shui. Below is a table of the most suitable pictures for the bedroom.

You can also create an original drawing

Plants and landscapes are most appropriate in the bedroom

For the bedroom it is better to use soothing shades.

Living room

This room is the main one in the apartment. Here the family spends most of their time, holidays and receptions are also arranged. This zone should be decorated with picturesque paintings that personify joy and comfort. The best choices are:

reproductions of famous paintings;
natural and sea landscapes;
urban images;
abstraction.

Also, when choosing a picture, you should be based on the style of the room:

for a classic or Victorian style, ancient columns overlooking the sea, images of a flowering garden will harmoniously fit into the interior;
hi-tech or minimalism goes well with black and white abstraction or the look of a modern city;
for the ethnic style, you should select paintings depending on the country and its culture that you wanted to embody (sakura blossoms for the Japanese style, pyramids for Egypt, Champs Elysees and a triumphal arch for the French interior).

Urban landscapes with nature are perfect for the living room.

The living room should be decorated with picturesque paintings

Kitchen and dining room

The nuance of wall painting in kitchen interior is the choice of its location. You should not paint the wall near the sink or stove. Constant contact with water and temperature changes can adversely affect wall painting. If this location is important for the owner of the kitchen, you should choose moisture-resistant paints for work, as well as varnish the creation in several layers.

For a visual expansion of the room, a landscape, an imitation of a window or a picnic in nature are perfect. These are the most popular design techniques.

If the purpose of interior wall painting is to create a specific atmosphere, the best solution may be:

Still life;
An image of a dining area in a cafe or restaurant;
Coffee fantasies and paintings with berries and fruits.

After drawing, the drawing should be treated with protective equipment.

Landscapes are perfect for the kitchen

The drawing should be applied on the wall where there is no furniture

Bathroom

The main factor that stops customers from painting the walls in the interior of the bathroom is the high humidity of the room and the regular contact of the walls with steam. These aspects can significantly spoil the wall creation, however, modern techniques and materials make it possible to avoid such negative aspects. In such situations, the following rules must be followed.

Use moisture resistant plaster.
The work is carried out with special moisture-resistant paints.
Cover the painting with several layers of protective varnish.

Observing all these rules, the drawing will serve its owner for many years without losing its aesthetic properties.

The original solution for the bathroom will be the image of the seabed on the walls along with its inhabitants.

Marine-themed drawings are suitable for the bathroom

Drawing in the bathroom should be treated with protective equipment

Children's room

The flight of fantasy for wall painting in a children's interior is not organic. When choosing the style of the drawing, you should consult with the young owner of the apartment. Wall art can turn a room into a fairy tale, creating an atmosphere of magic.

From a psychological point of view, aggressive images and flashy colors should not be used for wall painting in a children's room. Here you can use:

underwater landscapes;
fabulous forest with fairies and animals;
magic castles;
cartoon characters and landscapes.

It is worth giving preference to calm and neutral colors for the wall background, but the characters themselves can be drawn in a bright and expressive style.