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Introduction to Natural Plaster and Traditional Wall Finishing

$738.00 $846.00

Early Bird Pricing in Effect until 90 Days before Class Begins

Jul 21, 2026 – Jul 23, 2026
3 Day Workshop, Meals Included

Join Liz Johndrow of Earthen Endeavors along with Ariel Burns to learn theory, application and technique in sourcing, mixing, creating and applying various types of clay and lime plasters and paints. You will leave this natural plaster class with knowledge and recipes to do these plasters and paints in your own home and get to practice on our traditional Japanese timber frames.

Early Bird Pricing in Effect until 90 Days before Class Begins

Jul 21, 2026 – Jul 23, 2026
3 Day Workshop, Meals Included

Join Liz Johndrow of Earthen Endeavors along with Ariel Burns to learn theory, application and technique in sourcing, mixing, creating and applying various types of clay and lime plasters and paints. You will leave this natural plaster class with knowledge and recipes to do these plasters and paints in your own home and get to practice on our traditional Japanese timber frames.

Add a Donation to the School
from $10.00
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About the Workshop

This class focuses on the theory and hands-on application and technique in sourcing, mixing, creating and applying various types of clay and lime plasters and paints. Students will be working directly on buildings on the property. Base coats will be applied to some frames, and finish coats to others, giving participants experience at multiple stages of the plaster process within real structures. You will leave with practical recipes, material knowledge, and a working understanding of how natural plaster systems both integrate with traditional timber framing, and can be applied to your own home or project.

Topics Covered

  • The role of clay and lime as binders in traditional natural plaster systems and breathable wall assemblies

  • How plaster integrates with timber frames and traditional Japanese building methods

  • How to source raw materials and mix your own clay and lime plasters from scratch

  • Selecting and preparing wood lath for plaster application

  • Applying clay and lime base coats over wood lath

  • Applying finish coats for durability and aesthetic refinement

  • Understanding plaster application across different substrates, with primary focus on staged clay and lime work over lath

  • Mixing and applying clay and lime paints and washes over natural plaster surfaces

Systems Covered

This is a hands-on sampler class centered on the following systems:

  • Scratch, level and finish coats over wood lath

  • 2 coat veneer plaster, both clay and lime over wood fiber board 

  • Clay and lime based paints and washes to go over natural plaster

  • Discussion of other substrate applications: hemp, straw bale, drywall, earthen masonry 

  • Discussion of substrate preparation and long-term durability in timber frame buildings

Included with Tuition

Meals Included - This workshop includes breakfast, lunch and dinner on each day with the exception of the last day, where only breakfast and lunch are served. Meals are typically brought in or cooked family style.

Prerequisites

None, come as you are!

Recommended Tools

Optional Tools

 

Buy Tools for this Workshop

All tools, both required and most optional tools related to this workshop are listed below. You may purchase them along with your workshop registration and pick them up at the beginning of the workshop. Not all tools below are required, see above in the class description for the required items. Contact us if you are unsure of what you might need or have a suitable substitute.