plastering

In the context of art and architecture, the practice of applying plaster, which is primarily a mixture of lime, sand, and water, to a surface. In the context of architecture generally, plaster is applied to walls or ceilings with broad graceful strokes, with the goal of achieving denseness, solidity, and rapid drying. In the context of frescoes or other wall paintings, the plaster is applied with force, using short, pounding blows, with the goal of achieving a surface that is somewhat porous and ready to receive paint or additional layers of plaster.