Botrope’s Fresco Workshop Notes

Field notes

The material follows the physical order of fresco construction, beginning with tests for hollow plaster, incompatible gypsum, impermeable coatings, and moisture before discussing color. It distinguishes the coarse arriccio from the finer intonaco and notes that the latter should remain porous enough to receive pigment. The article also gives a practical ratio for one arriccio mix—roughly one part slaked lime to two or three parts washed river sand—and connects salts, drying conditions, and carbonation to long-term survival.