VENETIAN PLASTER TRAINING COURSEVenetian Plaster Course
The Hands-on Venetian Plaster course is the recommended starting point for anyone wishing to build a solid professional foundation in decorative plaster finishes. This hands-on course covers traditional polished finishes: Marmorino, Grassello and Tadelakt. It provides students with the practical skills, technical knowledge and confidence needed to begin applying Venetian plaster professionally and continue independent practice.
The full range of Marmorino grain sizes is covered, from the finer Grassello and Marmorino Fine to the more satin Medium, with attention to their different handling and visual outcomes. Participants practise each phase of the process, starting from substrate evaluation and primer selection, through to trowel application techniques and polishing. The final stages involve selecting and applying suitable protective treatments based on the surface’s intended use.
On the last day, a selection of textured finishes is also introduced, allowing participants to work with matt, textured surfaces that are increasingly relevant in contemporary interior and exterior architecture, and that represent a more accessible entry point into decorative finishes.
Practical work is carried out on vertical boards and small wall areas, allowing repetition of the full application cycle and consolidation of the techniques.
This Hands-on Venetian Plaster course is addressed to all levels. Beginners will find the course particularly beneficial as it starts with the basics of Venetian plaster application. However, even experienced artisans will find value in this class, correcting common mistakes, and learning the subtle intricacies from master craftsmen with over 40 years of experience in the field. Our instructors are bearers of an authentic tradition, ready to pass on their rich legacy to every participant.
VENETIAN PLASTER TRAINING COURSEVenetian Plaster Course
The Hands-on Venetian Plaster course is the recommended starting point for anyone wishing to build a solid professional foundation in decorative plaster finishes. This hands-on course covers traditional polished finishes: Marmorino, Grassello and Tadelakt. It provides students with the practical skills, technical knowledge and confidence needed to begin applying Venetian plaster professionally and continue independent practice.
The full range of Marmorino grain sizes is covered, from the finer Grassello and Marmorino Fine to the more satin Medium, with attention to their different handling and visual outcomes. Participants practise each phase of the process, starting from substrate evaluation and primer selection, through to trowel application techniques and polishing. The final stages involve selecting and applying suitable protective treatments based on the surface’s intended use.
On the last day, a selection of textured finishes is also introduced, allowing participants to work with matt, textured surfaces that are increasingly relevant in contemporary interior and exterior architecture, and that represent a more accessible entry point into decorative finishes.
Practical work is carried out on vertical boards and small wall areas, allowing repetition of the full application cycle and consolidation of the techniques.
This Hands-on Venetian Plaster course is addressed to all levels. Beginners will find the course particularly beneficial as it starts with the basics of Venetian plaster application. However, even experienced artisans will find value in this class, correcting common mistakes, and learning the subtle intricacies from master craftsmen with over 40 years of experience in the field. Our instructors are bearers of an authentic tradition, ready to pass on their rich legacy to every participant.
TECHNIQUES
Grassello, Marmorino Fine, Marmorino Medium, Tadelakt , Travertino, Dolomia (standard application techniques)
INFORMATION
Instructor: Master craftsman Željko Babić (Instagram page)
Participants: max 12, min 8
Requirements: This course is open to all experience levels, from beginners to Venetian plaster artisans looking to strengthen their foundations. The course is designed for professionals, including those working in related trades such as painting, drywall installation, tiling, wallpapering or general contracting – it is not designed for DIY enthusiasts.
DATES
Next classes: 12–16 April 2027
Duration: 5 days
PRICE
Total price, inclusive of deposits: €1100 + VAT 22%
Payment:
- Deposit: €488, due at registration (€400 + VAT)
- Final balance: €854 payable on arrival (€700 + VAT)
Discounts:
- Couples and groups: €50 discount per person
- Multiple-class discount: available for students attending more than one course in the same year
The cost of this training includes:
- Teaching
- Access to the necessary laboratory equipment
- Daily lunch
- Daily transport from the meeting points in Vicenza to our premises and back
- A set of prime-quality tools that you can take home with you upon completion
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Our courses are small, in-person, and run on fixed dates.
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ABOUT
The Istructor
Željko Babić’s path in decorative arts began in the early 1990s, learning the trade alongside his father, a master painter and decorator. Over the years, he tested materials of various compositions and makers, constantly searching for the ideal medium for his artistic expression.
That search led him to authentic lime, gypsum, and mineral plasters, bringing him into close collaboration with Stucco Italiano and its founder, Giovanni Polistena.
While hands-on application remains at the core of his daily work, Željko has been professionally teaching for over 15 years—nearly a decade of which as an official Stucco Italiano instructor.
Today, he conducts training courses at the headquarters in Thiene, Italy, and in his Belgrade workshop. Specializing in advanced techniques—including Marmorino, Travertino, Pastellone, Tadelakt, Scagliola, and faux marble—Željko regularly welcomes artisans from around the world to master authentic Italian craftsmanship.
FAQ
How does the payment work?
To reserve your place, we require a deposit, which is deducted from the total course fee.
The remaining balance is payable on arrival.
What happens if I cancel?
The deposit is considered non-refundable, unless we are able to fill your place with another participant.
This policy helps us keep the course organisation sustainable and fair to all students, as last-minute cancellations are difficult to replace and affect the whole class planning.
- Teaching & access to the necessary laboratory equipment
- Daily lunch at local restaurants / at premises
- Daily transport from Vicenza’s & Thiene’s meeting points to our site and back
- Stucco Italiano tool kit, yours to keep
- A certification, recognised wherever you work, giving you access to the same alumni benefits.These include eligibility to become a preferred applicator in your region, discounts on future training courses in both Italy and the USA, and, when available, exclusive promotions on selected products.
Group Discount: Each participant who is part of a group (2 or more persons) will receive a 50 euro discount.
Multiple Classes Discount: Participants attending more than one class in the same year will receive the following discounts:
- 10% off the second class
- 15% off the third class and any subsequent classes
Please note: The group discount and the multiple classes discount cannot be combined.
- English
Some working clothes or something you don’t mind staining.
Please bring a reusable water bottle. We have a drinking water dispenser with both cold and room-temperature water.
You do not need to bring any tools for the course. A professional tool kit is included in the course fee and will be yours to take home at the end of the training.
Keep in mind that the tool kit will take up space in your luggage. Many students also choose to take home some of the sample boards they complete during the course; we can cut them down to a smaller size to make them easier to transport.
If you prefer not to carry the tools and samples with you, we can also arrange to ship them to your local Stucco Italiano distributor, who can then forward them to you.
The remaining course fee will be due on the first day of the course at Stucco Italiano’s premises. We offer the following payment options:
9.00 AM – 5.00 PM daily.
Lunch break: 12.30 – 1.30 PM.
- From Venice airport, take a shuttle to Venezia Mestre Station (get your tickets at the airport) and then a train to Vicenza (train tickets: Trenitalia)
- Alternatively, with our assistance, you can book a taxi from Venice airport to Vicenza
We recommend staying either in Vicenza historical centre or in Thiene city centre.
Vicenza is approximately 20 km from our premises in Thiene. It has a larger and more lively historical centre, with a wider choice of accommodation, restaurants, shops and places to visit. For most international participants, Vicenza is the more interesting option if you would also like to enjoy the city in the evenings.
Thiene is where Stucco Italiano is located. Its historical centre is also beautiful, but the town is much smaller than Vicenza and offers a more limited choice of accommodation, restaurants and evening activities. The advantage is that you will be much closer to the course venue.
In both cases, we provide daily transport from the meeting points specified below.
Recommended accommodation areas (click to view):
Daily transport options:
- From Vicenza: we provide a daily shuttle from Piazza Matteotti, Vicenza, departing every morning at 8:15, in front of Signorvino. Click here to view the location of the pick-up point.
- From Thiene: we provide daily transport from the city centre to our premises and back. Morning departure is at approximately 8:30.
- For greater freedom of movement, you may prefer to rent a car at the airport.
We will either have lunch at a nearby restaurant or a simple catering at Stucco Italiano.
