Norfolk Group Limewash and Distemper Workshops

Friday 22 May, 1–5pm
Friday 29 May, 1–5pm

Join the SPAB Norfolk Regional Group for two practical workshops led by Paul Humphreys on limewash and distemper techniques. With live demonstrations and hands-on learning, these sessions cover preparation, mixing, application, and achieving appropriate finishes for historic buildings and eco-construction.

These workshops have a strong practical focus and will include demonstrations of traditional materials and techniques used in conservation and sustainable construction. Participants will learn about preparation, mixing, tools, and application methods, as well as the theory underpinning lime types, the lime cycle, and substrate compatibility.

Session 1 (22 May) focuses on limewash techniques, including slaking quicklime, mixing hydraulic limewash, application on different substrates, adding colour with earth pigments, and decorative treatments.

Session 2 (29 May) focuses on distemper techniques, including making soft and casein distemper, application methods, decorative finishes such as stencilling, and historical and modern uses.
The sessions are led by Paul Humphreys, an independent Historic Decorative Finishes Consultant with over 40 years’ experience working on period buildings. Participants will have the opportunity to observe demonstrations and gain practical knowledge applicable to their own projects or professional work.To support access to practical conservation skills training, a limited number of bursaries are available for students, early career practitioners, and those who may otherwise be unable to attend due to cost.

Bursaries

Applications should be made by email to membership@spab.org.uk by 26 April, including a brief statement (up to 250 words) outlining the applicant’s background, interest in the training, and how attendance would benefit their work or studies.

Programme

Session 1 – Limewash Techniques
Friday 22 May | 13.00–17.00

This four-hour session will explore traditional limewash techniques for historic building conservation and sustainable construction. Participants will observe live demonstrations covering:
•    Slaking quicklime to produce hot limewash (non-hydraulic lime)
•    Mixing hydraulic limewash
•    Application techniques on a range of substrates
•    Adding colour using earth pigments
•    Ferrous sulphate (copperas) treatments for decorative effects

The session will also include underpinning theory on lime types, the lime cycle, substrate compatibility, and the use of limewash in ecclesiastical buildings and eco-construction.

Session 2 – Distemper Techniques
Friday 29 May | 13.00–17.00

This four-hour session will focus on traditional distemper finishes, the dominant interior coating from the medieval period through to the mid-20th century. Participants will observe demonstrations of:

•    Making soft distemper (chalk and glue-based)
•    Making casein distemper (washable distemper)
•    Application techniques on different substrates
•    Adding colour with earth pigments
•    Simple decorative techniques, including stencilling

The session will cover essential substrate preparation, historical use (particularly within ecclesiastical buildings), and modern applications in conservation and eco-build contexts. Oil-bound distemper will be discussed but not demonstrated due to its complexity and time constraints.
This session builds on Session 1 but is fully self-contained for those who have not attended the limewash session. Participants will receive comprehensive reference materials to take away.

You will need

Please wear suitable clothing for practical work. PPE (gloves and goggles) will be provided.

How to get there

The site is 20 minutes walk from Norwich station.
Paid parking is available near by.

Accessibility

The event takes place in a church setting. There may be uneven surfaces. The practical elements of the course will be quite physical.

Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email membership@spab.org.uk.

Photos and filming: We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online. Participants may take photos and short videos for personal use, with permission of the course leader and all other participants in frame. If you want to post on social media, please message SPAB's Comms Team (press@spab.org.uk or @spab1877) for permission. If your material is good, we might ask to share it with our followers.

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Photo credit: St Martin at Palace Plain CC BY-SA Mncommonswiki via Wikimedia Commons