Tools and materials
Brushes, small trowels of different widths, a ladder or stool, tape, gloves, newpaper, tray, plastic bucket, spatula or stucco trowel, plastic paint for simulating stucco, lint-free rags.

Preparing the work area
o as a first step remove all furniture, tables, chairs and sofas that might get in your way while you work.
o Protect doors, windows, baseboards, electrical appliances, outlets, switches and the floor, especially if it is wooden.
o Use adhesive tape at least 3 cm wide to avoid painting frames or joints with ceilings and floors.
o If you are not going to apply fake stucco to all the walls, or are just going to do it in one spot, mark off clearly the area where you are going to work. If necessary use tape here as well.

Stucco as in the days of Venice
o The idea is not try to imitate the stucco work done in old Venice: a special wall finish composed of lime, coloring, plaster and fine marble which, when mixed together, made a paste that was spread with special spatulas or trowels and sometimes with bare hands.
o The finish was highly durable and long lasting, as well as decorative, depending on the color.
o The surface had an irregular finish and color.
o But modern paints and techniques came along to the relief of aficionados who, with very few materials and common emulsions, can achieve similar effects.

Modern false stucco
o The goal is to achieve a chiaroscuro effect on the wall.
o Use plastic paints made glossy with water.
o Falso stucco is a technique based on layers. The decorative effect comes from applying successive layers, either of the same color or different ones.
o Somewhere in the middle of the road between traditional and false stucco there are similar techniques achieved with acrylic textures applied with a trowel or spatula that creates a relief effect. Their base is white, and they are finished off by applying colored wax with either a brush or a cloth.

How to apply the paint
o Apply a first layer with a roller or brush just to cover the wall. Work in sections of one square meter until you finish the wall or the area where you are going to apply stucco.
o Allow to try as per instructions from manufacturer. The amount of time it takes is influenced by ventilation, moisture, and room temperature. Usually it takes a minimum of five hours.
o The first coat should be lighter in tone than the second. You can do this by adding more water. Do a test first in a spot that is not highly visible. Sometimes you can't get the tone right until the paint dries.
o If you use a brush it should be wide, around 18 cm.
o The second layer is applied with irregular strokes, in any direction and any order, and with a narrower brush.
o The edges of the strokes should always be gone over again with a paint-free brush or with a damp cloth to wipe them away and achieve a cloud effect, blurred and semi-transparent.
o Before using it on the wall you can discharge paint from the brush onto newspaper.

Preparing the surface �
o Stucco is the perfect technique for hiding small imperfections in walls and false stucco also hides certain glitches. Still, it is best to prepare the wall before painting.
o First repair the surface. It should be in perfect condition before painting.
o Apply fixative or sealant if necessary, either one or two coats.
o If there are cracks, cover them up with filler. If necessary, chip away at the damaged spot and do a partial restoration with plaster.
o Before painting the wall should be smooth, dry and free of dust.

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