How did michelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling?

Answer 1

He created a set of scaffolding on which he could lay on to paint the ceiling. He used a technique called Fresco where the pigment is mixed with wet plaster and applied to the wall. This meant that he had to know how fast he could paint an area before the plaster dried.

Answer 2

He built ramps and scaffolds to reach the 70 feet from the floor to the ceiling. He did most of his work on his back.