THE FLORENCE IMMERSION FRESCO WORKSHOP

Learn the techniques used by the Renaissance masters to paint 'fresco' in an artisan's workshop in Florence.

The art of painting 'fresco', applying colour to wet plaster, was perfected by the ancient Romans and used to decorate the sumptuous homes of the wealthy. As the plaster dries, the colour soaks in and becomes part of the fabric of the building and can last forever. Medieval and Renaissance frescoes can be visited throughout Florence in the churches and museums, so why not roll up your sleeves and find out how they were created? In this half day class you will use the specially created pigments to paint onto a panel of freshly prepared plaster, guided throughout by a modern master of fresco and sculpture in his private workshop in Florence.

Starting with a photo of a fresco, you will be shown how to transfer a copy to the wet plaster and then how to mix the paints to create the colours you need to bring your fresco to life. Once finished, the small hardboard panel is yours to take home with you as a souvenir of your own Florence art workshop experience.

A full-day fresco class is also available, in the morning you would have a guided tour of some of the most famous frescoes in Florence, and after a break for lunch, learn to paint a section of one of the frecoes you have visited. This is a fascinating way to really understand the Renaissance masters, hearing about their lives while visiting their work and then learning their methods as you create your own fresco.

This private class is suitable for absolute beginners, but if someone in your family already has artistic skills, the class can be adapted to be more informative and challenging. The class is not suitable for children under the age of five.