Fresco is the Italian word for “fresh”.
Painters would do ‘fresco’ painting on fresh, wet plaster walls – a process that allows the colors to sink into the plaster, giving you a glowing kind of color that is very different from what you would otherwise get if you painted on dry plaster.
The most famous fresco is the Michaelangelo masterpiece found on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. While I’m clearly no Michaelangelo, I wanted to share a neat idea with you – making fresco coasters.
Given the literal meaning of fresco, I think this craft is appropriate as in my Spanish culture, when someone wants a nice cold drink, we refer to it as a ‘refresco’.
But enough with the Italian, Spanish and art lesson…let’s get to the craft at hand.
You will need:
Paint
Paint brushes
Plaster of Paris (also known as molding plaster)
Mini aluminum pie trays
Something to mix the plaster in
Stirring stick
image for inspiration
Modge Podge
Sand paper (very fine grain)
Mix the Plaster of Paris as per package instructions
(tip: I bought mine at the Dollar Store, as
it comes in a little casting handprint kit)
Pour the plaster mixture into the trays.
Tap the trays lightly to remove air bubbles.
Let it harden a little (mine took about 5 minutes)
When the plaster moves away from the edge of
the tin tray you will know you can remove it
Gently remove the plaster (it should feel cold and moist).
Gently sand the corrugate edges and any uniformity on the plaster (be very gentle).
I got ahead of myself and skipped this part, but don’t you
think these would make amazing giant soda bottle caps?
Me loves that craftberry!
Now that you have your surface ready, start your painting.
The paint will be absorbed by the plaster so you might want
to start light and work your way towards darker. You can
always add colour, but taking colour away is not as easy.
Don’t be intimidated – if it doesn’t work out, just sand the
surface and start over. Plaster takes about 9 hours to
completely dry, so you have about 7 hours to complete!!
You can create something very simple, or…
Something a little more intricate
An apple a day…
A romantic Magnolia
A Fall/Thanksgiving oak leaf…
Note: For ‘blogging’ purposes, I decided to create 4 very different designs to show you the endless possibilities but you would obviously make them all the same or have a cohesive theme.
Once the plaster has completly dried, apply a couple of coats of Mode Podge or a sealer. I’m going to be doing more of these guys and I will apply a coat of resin.
I think these would make great little favours for your guests at Thanksgiving? Or perhaps a Bridal Shower? Maybe Christmas? You get the idea.
You have a blank ‘fresh’ canvas to play with. You can make little ones like these or huge plaques to hang on your wall.
I hope you enjoyed this little craftberry…
Have a Michalangelo kinda Friday!
much love,
Lucy
me loves. if you make even cmaller ones, and attach string, would make cute personalized ornaments. I like the idea of the resin. Will look soo much more polished and finished. I’ll be tring this for the boys room…painting a vintage-y car and fire truck maybe 🙂
These are so pretty! All that fresco talk reminds me of my many art history classes in college!
Lucy! What a great idea. These would be a wonderful teacher’s gift for the student to make and give for the Holidays. I love it! Thanks so much for sharing it…I wish I could do a painting like one in the Sistine Chapel…but then I’d be dead before it was appreciated anyway;>) Diana
That is great! Thanks for sharing! I wish I was a bit more craft inclined! You are inspiring! =)
I am your new follower and hope you will return the follow to Just Married with Coupons
We are also having a Saturday Blog hop if you would like to join us!
Have a great weekend!
-Dawn
Oh, I’m loving this. And you got the plaster at the Dollar Store?!? My kind of project! I love the idea of making a Dollar Store Fresco, heehee!
Would love for you to stop by this weekend and link up to Passion for Paint!
Hi there, new follower from the NFF Blog Hop. I look forward to reading more from you. 🙂 Wow…you’ve got some talent. 🙂
Please come by and visit/follow me too. Thanks so much. Marie
The Things We Find Inside
Very cute. I don’t know if I could re-create them exactly as you have! I’m not really a talented painter! They look wonderful!
I love these! How do you think they hold up? I feel like plaster breaks so easy!
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