Minoan Fresco - A Project for Children Inspired by Ancient Crete

Frescoes are paintings done on plaster. The term comes from the Italian word for fresh, and refers to painting on wet (or "fresh") plaster. There are various fresco techniques, and not all involve working on wet plaster. This activity will be done on dry plaster, which is often referred to as fresco-secco, (secco meaning dry in Italian). Some of the earliest evidence of frescoes are attributed to the Minoan civilization (c.2600 - 1100 BC) of the island of Crete, in Greece. Minoan examples of frescoes are colorful, linear depictions that children can find interesting.

With themes such as animals and lively people in archaic dress, these make for interesting subjects to reproduce. Here is a project that will introduce your child to this early civilization of ancient Greece. Please provide supervision during this activity.

MATERIALS
Plaster of Paris
Bowl and spoons
String
Empty cereal box
Large sheet of drawing paper and pencil
Carbon paper
Ruler
Children's paint
Paint brush

1. Print or directly view one of the Minoan images provided here, or find other images in books of Minoan art or online.
2. Cut a piece of drawing paper that matches the length and width of the cereal box.
3. Draw an outline of the Minoan image onto the drawing paper.
4. Cut the front of the cereal box out, so that you have a shallow box, in which you will pour your wet plaster.
5. In a bowl, mix your plaster according to the manufacturer's directions.
6. Pour the plaster into the cereal box to about 1.5 inches deep.
7. Push the ends of a string into the upper center of the plaster. When dry, you can use this string to hang your fresco.
8. Once dry, remove the plaster from the box.
9. Place carbon paper face down on the plaster. Next, place your drawing over the carbon paper. Now, trace your drawing again, so that the image is transfered onto the plaster with the carbon. Remove the carbon paper and trace your image once more with pencil, so that it is clearly defined.
10. Carefully use your paints to color in your image.

Your Minoan fresco is now ready to be displayed.