Ripples in plaster joints

When I stop up joints and paint the ceilings/walls, sometimes in certain very specific glancing light that there are ripples in the plaster running along the joint. I'm not talking about bubbles or tiny ridges, it looks more like the sand at the beach at low tide. Even if the joint is not underfilled or overfilled (which obviously shows up more noticeably) the ripples are a separate problem, and one that is not as easy to understand or rectify. I imagine it is to do with applying an inconsistent sweeping motion with the trowel. Mind you, I see the same ripple effect in ceilings everywhere done by `professionals' and in no way do I think my personal results are worse. Actually, in natural light or in the evening when my downlights are switched on, you can't see it at all. I only notice it because I go around with floodlights on ridiculous angles in order to criticise my work!

I would love to know if this is a common problem, whether I should be less perfectionist, and also what techniques (if any) will help me improve my plastering so as not to create ripples?


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