Alchemy at the Historic Colour Maker's House
on the edge of the Lake District - 017683 53530

Frescoes and lime wash paintings are related but not the same thing.

A fresco, a type of mural painting done on wet plaster, is a significant part of our artistic heritage. When mixed with water and applied to the damp plaster, the pigments bond with the calcium carbonate to form a durable painting. These bright and luminous artworks have adorned the interior walls of buildings for thousands of years, adding a touch of elegance to churches, palaces, and other structures.

On the other hand, lime wash paintings are created pigments already added to the slaked lime mixture and painted directly onto the wall and therefore tend to be simpler and more rustic in feel.

In summary, both frescoes and lime wash paintings offer a canvas for artistic expression. Frescoes, a type of mural painting done on wet plaster, and lime wash paintings, created by applying a mixture of slaked lime and water to a surface, can be tinted with pigments to add colour. While frescoes are typically more detailed and sophisticated, lime wash paintings offer a more textured and rustic aesthetic. Both forms of art encourage the exploration of colour and technique.

Pigments suitable for Frescos | Pigments best suited for Lime-wash