How to make Venetian Stucco?

Venetian Stucco
Venetian Stucco

Venetian stucco is also known as Roman or ancient stucco. It is a technique of DIY layers or original decoration of Venice, Italy. It consists in obtaining the appearance of marble or stone on a wall or column by means of marble dust.

Venetian stucco is expensive and it is necessary to use 40 percent marble dust and pigment. Italian artisans have passed the knowledge on how to make Venetian stucco from generation to generation; however, very few people can create a layer of authentic Venetian stucco.

If you want to create it, we'll show you how to:

First, the things you will need:

  • Protective mask
  • Large plastic bucket or wheelbarrow
  • 1.89 liters (2 quarts) of lime putty
  • 1.89 liters (2 quarts) of marble dust
  • Mixing stick or wooden stick
  • Casserole for water bath or microwave and a bowl or glass bowl
  • 2 tablespoons (29,565 ml) of melted olive oil soap
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) linseed oil
  • 3/4 cup (177.44 ml) of lime-proof liquid pigment
  • 1 teaspoon (4,927 ml) of water
Now, the steps you must follow to make a great Venetian stucco:


  • Put on a protective mask to avoid breathing the lime and marble dust.
  • Take a large plastic bucket or wheelbarrow to use in the preparation of Venetian stucco.
  • Pour 1.89 liters (2 quarts) of lime putty into the bucket.
  • Add 1.89 liters (2 quarts) of marble powder to the bucket and mix using a mixing stick or a wooden stick. You can get a free wooden stick at any paint store.
  • Continue removing putty and marble dust.
  • Use a pan for water bath on the stove and melt some soap of olive oil. 

YOU CAN ALSO MEASURE THE SOAP IN THE MICROWAVE IN A BOWL OR IN A GLASS CONTAINER.

  • Measure and add 2 tablespoons (29,565 ml) of the melted soap to the mixture.
  • Pour 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) of flaxseed oil while stirring.
  • When your mixture begins to have a stucco consistency, add 3/4 cup (177.44 ml) of lime-proof liquid pigment. Normally earth tones are used for stucco pigment, but Romans often used reddish tones.
  • Mix 1 teaspoon (4,927 ml) of water at a time if the color does not mix well.
  • Use your Venetian stucco immediately.
  • Re-temper your Venetian stucco by adding water and stirring well. Re-temper each mixture only once. So, you only need to do it if the mixture starts to harden.
Tips for the Venetian stucco as the application are fantastic:

  • Use a medium powder mixture for a varied texture.
  • Thoroughly clean the wall or column, allowing the surface to dry completely, before mixing your Venetian stucco.
  • To change the color of your wall to gray, add small amounts of black and white colors to the dyed stucco.
  • Use contrasting dye colors to get a more dramatic appearance.

For more information: How to paint with compressor.


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