Italian Artisan Courses - Architectural decoration, Mural painting, wall finishes in Florence, Italy

Palazzo di Bianca Cappello

M.Cavallini mural decoration class

Santissima Annunziata

Italian Artisan Courses in Florence, Italy
Architectural decoration, Mural painting
and Wall finishes
(decorazione murale)

Courses list | Schedule & fees | How to register | About the teachers | Accommodation

Special courses with master painter Marco Cavallini:
This is a unique opportunity for students to study under a well known Florentine master. The curriculum is divided into brief courses with assistance in English.
Course pictures

Painting Architectural Illusion or 'Trompe L'Oeil' Level 1
Learn basic techniques of the ancient art of creating splendid architectural illusions. Known as 'il Quadraturismo' this art reached its height in the baroque period in Italy. This basic course covers learning the correct use of specific tools of the trade such as the lining ruler and the correct brushes. Students study how to create linear divisions of shading to create the illusion of a three dimensional frame, how to construct a compostion, the use of chiaroscuro, and the creation of linear architectural elements in tromp l'oeil relief.

Example projects:

Painting Architectural Illusion or 'Trompe L'Oeil' Level 2
This is the second course on the art of 'Quadraturismo' students study and make examples of the most frequently used decorative elements. Learn how to draw and how to employ them in mural decoration. Techniques for executing non-linear decorative elements are covered.

Example projects:

Traditional Italian Plasters and 'Eco-Friendly' Wall Finishes Level 1
Familiarize yourself with lime plasters, naturally ecologically friendly finishes, beautiful Italian patinas and lime washes. Products used range from special pigments made from the concentrated pigments of flower petals, to the use of 'coccio pesto', a very traditional yet extremely modern Italian finish for floors.

Projects:
We work on wall size panels in our large studio space to learn some basic application techniques. Students make individual sample boards of finishes to take home.
Teacher: Tommaso Turchi

True Fresco and Graffito Techniques Level 1
An introduction to the materials, instruments and pigments needed to paint, colour and incise fresco plasters. Students experiment on large panels in the studio using the techniques of renaissance 'buon fresco' and the famous two tone 'graffito' seen on many decorated facades in the city of Florence.

Graffito (or sgraffito) meaning scratched in Italian, is a two-colour drawing technique which creates the difference of color by simulating the scratching of the painted surface. Produced by applying layers of plaster tinted in contrasting colors to a moistened surface, and then scratching so as to produce an outline drawing.

Example projects: