Fresco-secco
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Fresco-secco (or a secco or fresco finto) is a fresco painting technique in which pigments ground in water are tempered using egg yolk or whole egg mixed with water which are applied to plaster that has been moistened (using this temper) to simulate fresh plaster. No white is used (as in watercolour painting). In true fresco (buon fresco), the plaster is still fresh and has not dried when the watercolors are introduced. It is also common to use white to lighten colours in fresco.
Because the pigments do not become part of the wall, as in buon fresco, fresco-secco paintings are less durable. The colors may flake off the painting as time goes by, but this technique has the advantages of a longer working time and retouchability.
The treatise Silparatna by Kumaradeva (8th century) gives an account of the Fresco-secco painting technology in detail. According to this text, a picture should be painted with appropriate colours, along with proper forms and sentiments (rasas), and moods and actions (bhavas). White, yellow, red, black and terre - verte are pointed out in the text as pure colors. Different shades were also prepared from these original colors. Five types of brushes with various shapes and size (flat, long, medium etc.) made of animal hair and grass fibre are also recommended.
Specialist painter and decorators still use this technique to great effect in the world of interior design e.g. faux marble. [ June McEwan] who re creates .
Notable fresco-secco artists
- Steve Bogdanoff
- Giotto
- June McEwan, Scottish artist who recreates historic Scottish interiors.
