The trick, in my experience, is to use very fast drying joint compound always in powder. You can mix joint compound that will dry faster than you can put it up,

The trick, in my experience, is to use very fast drying joint compound always in powder. You can mix joint compound that will dry faster than you can put it up, which enables you to put multiple coats on. Sanding stinks, but if you've a good hand you can minimize the amount of post skim finish work. Used this technique to rip out and then match a ceiling in a bathroom, and also to patch up work after some HVAC dudes blew part of a wall out for mini splits. It was tough to learn as there is a knack, but paid off. Having good hand eye coordination pays off in many ways. The most important part was learning from an experienced person: "No wall on earth is perfectly flat, you just want it to look flat." Good advice, especially in a town (Philly) where there are old houses with not a square corner in the whole place. :)