The advanced plasters and finishes course will focus primarily on the creative and artistic potential of lime plaster finishes. We will explore how to locally source and formulate fine finish plasters from common raw materials. We will then learn to apply them creatively, using techniques that have been in practice for hundreds if not thousands of years.  Included will be tadelakt, venetian plaster, fresco, limewash  and common integral colored lime plaster finishes.  Students will be encouraged to learn the basic rules of lime finish plaster formulation and application, giving them the confidence to explore their own regional materials and create their own unique works of art.

This course can be taken individually, or as part of the Natural Building Certificate program.

  • Competency Level: Intermediate to Professional
  • AIA credits: 21 -- Qualifies for HSW and SD requirements.

Suggested Reading

Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce. Using Natural Finishes: Lime and Clay Based Plasters, Renders and Paints - A Step-by-step Guide

Cedar Rose Guelberth and Dan Chiras. The Natural Plaster Book

Stafford Holmes, Michael Wingate. Building with Lime : A practical introduction.

Course Outline

Monday May 30

  • Introductory slideshow highlighting historical and modern uses of lime as a material in art and architecture.
  • Discussion of the materials available for modern lime plaster work, how to select and source lime plaster materials regionally. Basic principles and ratios for formulating lime plasters from scratch.
  • Mixing of base coat plasters and finish coat plasters that will be used during the course.

Tuesday May 31

  • Basic lime plaster finishes over drywall. We will learn how to achieve several different finishes on drywall using the same plaster formulation.
  • The second half of the day will be devoted to learning tadelakt. We will apply Tadelakt to small tiles and personal objects that students will be able to take home. We will also apply tadelakt to a large wall surface.

Wednesday June 1

  • More tadelakt. Tadelakt is a timing intensive process. The final finishing is typically carried out the next day. We will reserve the morning for tadelakt.
  • The second half of the day, we will discuss various sealers and waxes that can be applied to lime plasters.
  • We will also cover limewash and the basics of fresco painting.

Schedule subject to change slightly due to the desires, requests or focus of the students.

Materials to Bring

  • Sturdy work gloves (well-fitting)
  • Favorite trowels and hawks
  • Notebook and pens/pencils
  • Clothes to get dirty in (long sleeved shirts and long pants to protect from the straw)
  • Eye protection
  • Dust mask
  • Camera
Start Date: May 30, 2011
Closed