How is a fresco created?

Fresco is a technique of mural painting that is executed upon freshly laid lime plaster. Here's the step-by-step process of creating a fresco:

1. Preparation of the wall: The artist must ensure the wall is smooth and capable of absorbing moisture. Any old paint or loose material is removed, and sometimes a layer of rough plaster (called the "arriccio") is applied as a base.

2. First layer of plaster: Once the wall is prepared, a first layer of fine plaster is applied to the section of the wall to be painted for the day (known as the "giornata" which means "day's work" in Italian).

3. Cartoon: The artist prepares a detailed drawing called a cartoon. This drawing will be used to transfer the design onto the plaster. The cartoon is full-scale and is often perforated along the outlines.

4. Transferring the design: The cartoon is held against the wet plaster, and the design is transferred by brushing over with a bag of colored powder (usually charcoal dust), which goes through the holes, leaving an outline on the plaster.

5. Painting: The artist must paint quickly before the plaster dries. Pigments mixed with water are applied to the wet plaster. As the plaster dries, it reacts with the air and the paint becomes an integral part of the wall, in a process called carbonatation.

6. Details and finishing touches: If required, the painter may add fine details with the "secco" method, painting with pigments mixed with a binding medium (like egg yolk) on dry plaster. However, the true fresco technique requires the artist to work on wet plaster.

7. Completion: The next sections are painted by repeating steps 2-6, making sure the edges of the plaster are blended carefully to avoid seams.

8. Drying and curing: Finally, the fresco must be left to dry and cure. As it does, the colors become permanently set within the wall.