Vitruvius described the plaster used by the ancient Pompeians. "Six coats were applied, wet on wet, the last coat was given a mirror polish with a smooth roller, They all totaled to 3" thick, skim milk was added to the pigments for additional gloss.

This plaster stayed wet for weeks and they (pomp.) did not use giornatas, but painted the whole thing like a mural. I think this technique later became known as "mezzo" fresco.