Special Effects Courses at Vancouver FX

Vancouver FX is a special effects production studio and private training facility, providing a creative environment for artists of all backgrounds and styles. We offer classes and workshops on special effects makeup, prosthetic character creation, anatomy and sculpture, mold making, airbrushing, life casting, 3d modelling, and 3D printing for TV & film.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, our classes are designed to provide you with the tools, techniques, and guidance you need to grow and develop your skills. Our TV & Film Industry instructors are passionate about their craft and dedicated to helping you reach your full potential.

Enrollment is open to all students 19 years and older, both Canadian and international. We are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive community, where all styles of artists can come together to learn, create, and grow.

Ready to take your artistic skills to the next level? Register for one of our classes or workshops today!

Take a peek inside the classroom and view student work on our Instagram HERE

2025 Weekly Courses & Saturday Workshops

Painting a Silicone Mini Mask – 2-Day Intensive

Learn to cast, tint, and professionally paint a silicone mini mask designed by TV & Film Industry FX Artist & instructor Dallas Harvey. In this hands-on workshop, students will work with a provided original sculpt mini mask, created exclusively for this class. Over two full days, you’ll go through the complete process of casting silicone, tinting it for realism, and applying professional-grade paints to bring your mask to life. By the end, you’ll take home a finished silicone mini mask ready for display in your portfolio or collection.

What You’ll Learn

Day 1 – Casting & Color Foundations

Types of Silicone & Lab Safety
Understand prosthetic-grade silicones, their properties, and safe lab practices.

Casting a Silicone Mini Mask
Learn proper mixing, pouring, and demolding techniques using the instructor’s original sculpt mold.

Silicone Tinting & Mixing
Explore intrinsic coloration by mixing pigments directly into silicone for realistic base tones and undertones.

Day 2 – Painting & Finishing the Mask

Surface Prep
Properly prepare your silicone mask for painting so colors bond securely.

Types of Silicone Paints
Discover professional paint systems, pigments, and solvents used in the FX industry.

Painting Techniques
Apply washes, mottling, stippling, and fine details to create lifelike textures and depth.

Final Touches & Care
Seal and finish your mask for long-term durability, display, or production use.

Why Take This Workshop?

Work on an Exclusive Original Sculpt: Cast and paint a mini mask created by your instructor, unique to this course.

Hands-On Training: Learn professional FX techniques through practical, guided steps.

Portfolio-Ready Result: Take home a completed silicone mini mask that showcases your painting skills.

Collectible Piece: Each mask is based on an original sculpt—something you won’t find anywhere else.

Dates: Saturday, September 20th & Sunday September 21, 2025
Time: 10:00AM – 6:00 PM
Tuition Fee: $950 CAD
Instructor: Dallas Harvey – Professional FX Artist, Sculptor & Instructor

We also accept student tuition payments by Interac Transfer. Contact us to register at vancouverfxstudio@gmail.com or email us HERE

2 Days. All-In. All Hands-On Intensive FX Training.

Ready to take your FX skills to the next level? This summer, step into the world of professional special effects with Vancouver FX’s 2-Day Halloween SFX Intensive Workshop — a fast-paced, hands-on crash course in everything from gore and blood rigs to foam latex prosthetics, 3D transfers, bald caps, airbrush painting, and more!

Led by industry FX artist Dallas Harvey, this workshop is perfect for aspiring artists, film students, horror fans, or working pros who want to sharpen their on-set skills with real film-industry techniques.

What You’ll Learn:
– Out-of-Kit Injury FX & Blood Gags
– 3D Transfer Prosthetic Application
– Sculpting & Casting Foam Latex Appliances
– Pro Airbrush Painting Techniques
– Bald Cap Application & Custom Tattoo FX

All materials are included — just bring your passion! You’ll leave with new skills, finished FX looks, and a certificate of completion from Vancouver’s top FX training studio.

Dates: Saturday, October 11th & Sunday October 12th, 2025
Time: 10:00AM – 6:00 PM
Tuition Fee: $950 CAD
Instructor: Dallas Harvey – Professional FX Artist, Sculptor & Instructor

We also accept student tuition payments by Interac Transfer. Contact us to register at vancouverfxstudio@gmail.com or email us HERE

Life Casting, 3D Scanning & Digital Mold Making Workshop

Step into the world of professional FX fabrication with this hands-on, two-day workshop that combines traditional life casting techniques with cutting-edge 3D scanning and digital mold making. Perfect for artists, filmmakers, designers, and FX enthusiasts, this course will take you from real-life body casting to digital replication and silicone body duplicates.

Whether you’re preparing for the film industry, building hyper-realistic art, or exploring advanced FX methods, this workshop gives you the full knowledge to bring bodies, faces, and creatures to life.

What You’ll Learn:

Part 1: Lifecasting & Body Casting

Learn industry-standard techniques to capture the human form in detail.

Part 2: 3D Body Scanning, Replication & Digital Mold Making

Bring traditional FX into the digital era with 3D tools and workflows.

Part 3: Silicone Body Duplicates

Learn how to fabricate ultra-realistic body parts with professional silicone techniques.

Why Take This Workshop?

• Hands-On Training: Work directly with professional tools, materials, and techniques used in the FX industry.

• Traditional Meets Digital: Master both lifecasting and 3D scanning workflows for versatile skills.

• Industry-Ready Skills: From film sets to independent art projects, these methods apply across FX, design, and medical replicas.

• Expert Instruction: Learn from seasoned FX artists with years of film and prosthetic experience.

Dates: Saturday, October 18th & Sunday October 19th, 2025
Time: 10:00AM – 6:00 PM
Tuition Fee: $950 CAD
Instructor: Dallas Harvey – Professional FX Artist, Sculptor & Instructor

We also accept student tuition payments by Interac Transfer. Contact us to register at vancouverfxstudio@gmail.com or email us HERE

3D “Bondo” Transfer Prosthetic Character Design – 8-Week Professional FX Makeup Course

Step into the world of professional prosthetic makeup design and learn how to create original, hyper-realistic characters using 3D transfer prosthetic techniques. Over eight intensive weekly classes, you’ll be guided through every stage of the process— from concept to final application—building the skills that professional FX artists use on film, television, and stage.

This course is designed for aspiring and working FX artists who want to elevate their craft and gain specialized knowledge in designing, sculpting, molding, casting, and applying professional-grade 3D transfer prosthetics.

What You’ll Learn:

Character Concept Design

• Develop an original character concept

• Design custom prosthetic appliances using flat mold techniques

Sculpting Realistic Prosthetics

• Sculpt facial and character prosthetic pieces

• Learn advanced sculpture techniques and troubleshooting methods

Mold Making & Preparation

• Proper setup for successful mold creation

• Professional silicone mold-making techniques

• Common mold problems and how to fix them

Casting & Fabrication

• Cast with Bondo and other industry-standard transfer prosthetic materials

• Cure and finish prosthetic pieces for production readiness

Application & Finishing

• Professional prosthetic application techniques

• Painting and blending for realistic skin textures

• Safe and effective prosthetic removal

Why Take This Course?

• Industry-Relevant Skills: Learn specialized techniques used by professional FX artists in film and television.

• Hands-On Training: Each class focuses on creating, troubleshooting, and perfecting your own prosthetic character designs.

• Complete Workflow: Master the full pipeline—from concept to final on-skin application.

• Professional Results: Leave the course with a set of original prosthetic appliances and the confidence to use these techniques in real productions.

Dates: Wednesday Nights October 1 – November 19th, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM-10PM
Tuition Fee: $2200 CAD
Instructor: Dallas Harvey – Professional FX Artist, Sculptor & Instructor

We also accept student tuition payments by Interac Transfer. Contact us to register at vancouverfxstudio@gmail.com or email us HERE