Swanson School of Engineering

After attending the Fresco workshop, it made it all the more impressive how these artists in history were able to create such large frescos that are famous today. My main takeaway was how quick you have to be once you prepare the “canvas”. There is only a small window in the chemical reaction process in which you can apply the colors to the fresco and very little room for mistakes. It is also a very careful balance. You can’t add too little water or too much water. Too little water and the colors become too deep and can ruin the balance. Too much water and it can wash away the preparation layer on the fresco. You also must avoid touching it directly at least at the beginning or it can mess up the entire piece. It really struck me how incredible it is that they made so many frescos during the Renaissance.