Antony, tadelak is a beautiful finish. Very similar in the composition and application to the tradional marmorino. The only difference is the polishing with soap and stone.
A year ago i found a small book about tadelakt in Paris full of image of how to do. For those who are interested they can contact the editor Massin at 0145654848.
Also do you know about scagliola, that another incredible tecnique.
On a different note, for those who are going to Verona and are interested in old tecnique i suggest to try to find this book "antiche ricette di pittura murale" (Old tecnique of mural paint) of Giorgio Forti (the author live and work in Verona). And also, a very good book, "l'arte dello stucco a Venezia" of Mario Fogliata.
Buon Viaggio
Orazio

DanB
Acrylic resin is a man made composite.

Now that's a woman that know's her product!!!

I have a new respect for you Amy~~~~~you go girl!

Well I wrote out this nice reply and it disappeared!!!!

Orazio, great to hear from you. Would love to talk again.

Dan, give us a call at the School and I'll explain it to you. Gian Franco is the expert in the field and we'll talk resin.

Steve O!!!! Safra reintroduced formulas to not only the Italian marketplace that could have been lost in antiquity but also to the world. If there are other IP or VP companies offering leveling plasters please let me know. I have to disagree with your statement "not one IP is following the historical application, for the majority of application." Safra states that "ArteNova is the decorative line in which Safra has gone close to the limit of the impossible to respect and keep the old recipes and, where technology gives the chance, to reproduce them with modern materials." It is the leveling plasters that make the difference and Safra offers a full line of them, 4 of them to be exact for natural and synthetic Safra plasters. Safra Artisans are able to use them to recreate as close as possible the old world finishes. If you like, I heard that they may manufacture the Rinzaffo and Arricio layers also for a large enough application and are able to do so. The problem lies in today's substrates and also what you mentioned regarding JC. Some choose to use JC instead of Safra's leveling plasters. It's a preference for the Artisan and for the job bringing cost into the picture. Cost is not an issue with Safra, they make the leveling plasters and we carry them for the applicators. So it's not a matter of cost for us either. It's up to the Artisan how far they want to take the "7 layers" for the greatest authenticity on the wall they bid and work on. It is nice to know that Safra offers these for us especially to create the Stucco Valentino finish which so many have come to love.

I agree with you on the choice we have. It is nice eh? Safra is the closest to being truly authentic as any company can be.

If you want old school done without a manufacturer, talk to Orazio, that guy knows about the history and application of the true and authentic. I had a wonderful conversation with him and he has much to offer. Two thumbs up.

The only other thing I can say (ooohhh long winded today), is we hear from Artisans from all over the United States and they have consistently told us Safra beats anything that it's put up against. I haven't tried all the plasters on the market but I know of those who have. It is nice to hear those remarks from fellow Artisans.

agreed James

[QUOTE]Originally posted by James Kirkpatrick:
The problem lies in today's substrates and also what you mentioned regarding JC. Some choose to use JC instead of Safra's leveling plasters. It's a preference for the Artisan and for the job bringing cost into the picture. Cost is not an issue with Safra, they make the leveling plasters and we carry them for the applicators. So it's not a matter of cost for us either. It's up to the Artisan how far they want to take the "7 layers" for the greatest authenticity on the wall they bid and work on.
QUOTE]

You have made my point James. Maybe I wasn't to clear in what I meant. I probably would of been more clearer if I would of stated that us applicators are not applying in the historical sense. I'm not sure how the substrates are in Italy... do they use dry wall? I'm sure dry wall wasn't available when IP was introduced.

As for leveling plasters, there are some IP manufacturers who have large grain plasters used as a foundational coat. Not all of them. Most of them just provide "old world" and the luminous types. And SAFRA is the only manufacturer that has filtered lime plaster, very unique. All the others I have looked at do not go through the "trouble" of filtering their lime.

SAFRA is the best. I would not have taken the coarse if my research didn't lead me to you guys. But for the sake of open discussions and education I had to chime in on this discussion. I enjoy working with plasters. I'm more of a hydraulic guy. I haven't put my hand to art- like murals or trump'loi so I'm drawn to the plasters. Except my joints, especially my fingers- ouch!

Anyways that's my two pence.

james- thank you. pleasse feel free to get in touch with me any time. i enjoyed talking to you as well. orazio

Nancy, I do not use "universal tint" in my plaster. There is a wonderful store here in NYC Kremer pigments (www.kremer-pigmente.com)
they have a vaste selection of fine pigment from europe.
Also many people that I know that use a ready made products do not do the "7 layers" but they charge just as much...at least here.
Orazio