From the paper on both sides,it looks like regular sheetrock aka drywall,aka gypsum board and a dozen others but basicly all the same. I would reccomend thinset rather than mistic glue for installing new tile. The painted walls will require floating,texturing or overlayed. All require experience and some skill to look right. On a first attempt I suggest mud the gouges then apply crowfoot texture.

The 'mud' is plaster? Can you explain what you mean by floating the painted wall?

I should tell you I no longer even try doing my own drywall work eventhough I've observed pros doing all phases countless times. Heck,I'm not even postive that's sheetrock in the pics but that's what it look's like. I give you those disclaimers in inticipation of your next questions. Mud is slang for joint compoud and floating is the act of filling holes and scratches with something so that intire surface become's level. Something in this case would probably be said joint compound. With that out of the way I'll let someone else tell you which hand and at what angle the tool should be used in. Perhaps reading about it will help me more than all the times I watched and I might tackle a room my self. (;

If you like decorating cakes, you'll like working with joint compound! (said the baker whose Dad had her taping and sanding joints at the age of 10 :)

When filling in holes/areas as large as you're showing, you need to build up the joint compound in layers, letting each layer dry thoroughly between... otherwise, you'll have problems with it cracking.

It could be three coat plaster on rocklath (a material similar but not identical to 3/8" sheetrock). It makes extremely substantial walls, usually 3/4 to 7/8" thickness all told.

Casey

Thanks everyone! I have been watching many a YouTube video on plastering and will tackle it next week. I appreciate all the input.