Man in Pink

Man in Pink

For my latest test fresco, I am doing a figure from Piero della Francesca’s Legend of the True Cross. I chose it because I had a good sized copy of it in a library book. I love his pink outfit and how the folds look so complex. Julia talked me through how to build up...
Roman fresco technique

Roman fresco technique

I have become slightly obsessed with the frescoes at Pompeii and Herculaneum. I have never been there, but have got hold of some books with excellent reproductions. There has been some debate about the techniques they used to get the smooth, polished surface. I won’t...
My uncle’s exhibition

My uncle’s exhibition

My Uncle Bill has an exhibition at the Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh. William Irvine was born in Scotland and went to Glasgow School of Art. He lived in London as a young artist and then moved to Maine where he has been for the best part of fifty years. This is the...
Renaissance head

Renaissance head

I am currently trying to learn more about fresco. Don’t ask me why. I know it’s crazy: it’s time consuming, tricky, the materials are not readily available in Scotland, the climate is too damp. But, I can’t help it: I am fascinated by the technique. It involves mixing...