Fresco Tile – a work of art and the best learning tool!

Ceramic tile is an amazing learning and practice instrument! This is where you start. With minimum of expense fresco student is able to study the color, form, values using materials available in local masonry stores.

The results are unique to the nature of plaster and even the most simple ones are mesmerizing as they are and even more when framed. Fresco tile is a beautiful stand along art piece it is like a fragment of the wall or ceiling brought up close. From simple color sketch or element study for large fresco to highly realistic portraits or an abstract object is the range of the Fresco Tile.

Examples of the Buon Fresco works on the Ceramic Tiles:

How to select a Ceramic Tile for fresco:

View lesson Get Started [005]: Shop Home Depot

How to apply plaster to a Ceramic Tile:

For the best results apply 2 layers of plaster to the tile in 2 steps:

– apply the base (arriccio) layer of fresco plaster to raw back of the tile (ceramic side, not the glazed one).
– bring to a sand finish using a wooden float (link)
– let it fully cure for 24 hours or more
– apply the intonaco plaster layer and make it smooth using a 3X8 steel trowel
– transfer your cartoon and paint the fresco.

Watch this video for the detailed demonstration of the process and materials.