A friendly, practical two-day course for complete beginners who want smoother walls, greater confidence and a skill they can use in their own home.
Reviews from the two-day course
★★★★★
“I’ve just completed the 2 day course, and what a great course it was. I’ve had a little dabble at plastering over the years but never mastered it. I finished the course today and can honestly say it’s the best £295 quid I’ve spent. Craig is a great guy with the patience of a saint and very knowledgeable in all aspects of building.”
Neil Matthews
★★★★★
“I’m a 55-year-old decorator. For years I struggled with the plastering side of my jobs, so I went to Craig and he taught me how to skim walls and ceilings. My job’s become so much easier — he made it far simpler than I expected.”
Adam Klassa
★★★★★
“Excellent practice setup — perfect for learning. The mock walls and ceilings were fantastic for everyone to use. There was just the right amount of wall and ceiling area to practise on — enough to get a proper feel for the work, without being overwhelming.”
Jack Cawe
★★★★★
“I actually don’t feel tired at all and really enjoyed it — I felt like I could do even more! Even though I couldn’t understand everything, your teaching was amazing and your passion kept me in a great mood all day. Looking forward to tomorrow!”
Xu
Skimming is learned through touch, timing and correction. Craig will demonstrate each stage, watch you work and show you exactly what to adjust while the plaster is still on the wall.
You’ll practise the complete process: preparation, mixing, applying two skim coats, flattening, trowelling and finishing—then learn how the same principles change when working overhead on a ceiling.
A recent student
“I actually don’t feel tired at all and really enjoyed it — I felt like I could do even more! Even though I couldn’t understand everything, your teaching was amazing and your passion kept me in a great mood all day. Looking forward to tomorrow!”
— Student, 2-Day Skimming Course
You learn this by watching and doing, not by listening. Craig demonstrates each stage, then corrects your hand while the plaster is still workable — which is why complete beginners get a finished wall on day one.
Assess walls and ceilings, control suction and create the right background before you mix.
Get the right consistency, avoid waste and understand the working time of finishing plaster.
Load your hawk, hold the trowel correctly and use pressure and angle to keep plaster on the surface.
Lay on, flatten, apply the second coat and work through the correct trowelling stages.
Learn safe positioning, overhead trowel control and how to work methodically across a ceiling.
Recognise ridges, hollows, drag marks and missed edges—and learn what to do before it sets.
Both days run from 8:30am to 3:00pm, with a 30-minute lunch. Bottled water is available throughout.
Learn the process properly, practise without risking your own home and leave knowing how to approach suitable walls and ceilings with far more confidence.
No—and no credible course should promise that. You will leave with proper hands-on instruction, a clear understanding of the wall and ceiling skimming process, experience of every key stage and the confidence to continue practising at home.
None at all. The course is designed for complete beginners and DIY homeowners.
Yes. After a short safety, tools, preparation and mixing introduction, you’ll begin applying plaster to your practice wall before lunch.
No. The tools and materials you need during the course are provided. Wear comfortable old clothes and sturdy, closed-toe footwear.
Absolutely. Everyone is welcome. Teaching is friendly, patient and focused on helping each learner progress at their own pace.
Yes. The core process is developed on walls first, then the course introduces safe setup, application and finishing techniques for skimming ceilings.