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 21 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

Upcoming Courses & Saturday Workshops

Silicone Prop FX – One Day Workshop – Saturday, May 24th – 11am-6pm

In this one day intensive workshop create a hyper-realistic severed finger prop using professional-grade silicone casting and painting techniques! This intensive workshop is perfect for aspiring artists, experienced FX professionals, and beginners looking to expand their portfolios with industry-standard skills.

What You’ll Learn:

– Professional life-casting and body-casting methods
– How to cast your own finger using safe and accurate mold-making products
– Mixing and pouring silicone, plus brush-up techniques for flawless results
– Mastering color theory with specialized silicone paints and pigments
– Adding realistic wounds, gore, and casualty FX for film-quality props
– Painting, matting, and glossing techniques for a believable flesh-tone finish

All tools, materials, and products are provided, so you can focus on learning and creating. From life casting to silicone application and painting, every step is demonstrated in detail—no prior experience required!

Certificate of Completion
Upon finishing the workshop, you’ll receive a certificate of completion signed by the instructor, recognizing your new skills and achievements.

Date: Saturday, May 24th, 2025 from 11am-6pm

Tuition Fee: $500 CAD / Student

Taught by FX Industry Artist Dallas Harvey

No experience required, all materials included.

Register for this class by contacting us at vancouverfxstudio@gmail.com or email us HERE

Character Sculpture For Beginners & Intermediate Artists

Dive into the exciting world of character sculpture with our five-week introductory course designed to guide students through the process of creating their own detailed clay busts. From initial concept sketches to the final refined sculpture, this course covers essential techniques in both character and creature design, empowering students to craft unique and expressive works of art.

No previous sculpting or art experience is required—just bring your imagination and enthusiasm!

Week 1: Concept Design & Armature Building
Introduction: Get acquainted with professional sculpting tools, materials, and course objectives.

Concept Development: Learn to brainstorm and sketch original character or creature concepts.

Armature Construction: Hands-on demonstration and practice creating custom armatures, forming sturdy bases for dynamic and lifelike busts.

Sculpting The Human Skull: Learn how to sculpt the base forms of the human skull

Week 2: Basic Sculpting Techniques & Blocking Out Forms
Tool Mastery: Discover versatile sculpting tools and learn their specific applications.

Blocking Out Forms: Build foundational shapes to establish correct proportions and overall form.

Anatomy Essentials: Understand key facial landmarks and accurate anatomical proportions, vital for both human and fantasy characters.

Week 3: Adding Detail & Refining Structure
Intermediate Sculpting: Refine essential features such as eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, enhancing realism and expression.

Facial Anatomy Deep Dive: Detailed exploration of facial muscles and skin folds to heighten realism.

Individual Feedback: Receive personalized critiques and targeted guidance to overcome sculpting challenges and improve your technique.

Week 4: Texture & Fine Details
Texture Techniques: Hands-on demonstrations for creating lifelike textures including wrinkles, skin pores, and realistic hair.

Final Adjustments: Refine proportions and detail to clearly communicate your character or creature’s unique identity.

Polishing & Smoothing: Master techniques to create smooth, polished surfaces, readying your sculpture for display or casting.

Week 5: Finishing Touches & Final Presentation
Final Refinements: Complete your bust with meticulous detailing and finishing adjustments.

By the end of this course, you’ll have not only mastered foundational sculpting techniques but also created a stunning, original clay bust showcasing your individual creativity and style.

When: Wednesday Nights May 14th – June 11th (5 Weekly Classes) 7pm-10pm

Tuition Fee: $650/student

Register for this class by contacting us at vancouverfxstudio@gmail.com or email us HERE

Silicone Prosthetics: Design, Sculpt, Mold & Paint a Professional Character Appliance

Thursdays | 8 Weeks | Evening Sessions | Hands-On Training

Learn how to design, sculpt, and fabricate your own professional-grade silicone front-face prosthetic in this intensive 8-week course. Whether you’re building a hyper-realistic old-age makeup or a fantasy creature design, this course walks you through every stage of the process—from concept to final wearable piece.

Taught by TV & Film FX artist Dallas Harvey, this hands-on class is ideal for aspiring FX artists, makeup designers, and sculptors looking to build their portfolio with high-end prosthetic work. All tools and materials are included.

What You’ll Learn

1. Sculpture Design Techniques & Tools
Explore industry-standard tools and materials used in prosthetic sculpture. Learn how to block out forms, refine details, and build textures that hold up under camera close-ups.

2. Sculpting for Dynamic Movement
Master the art of realistic facial sculpting, including old-age prosthetics. Understand how to shape folds, wrinkles, and features that move naturally with the performer’s face.

3. Character & Creature Concept Development
Bring your own creature or character to life! Start with rough sketches and translate your vision into a 3D sculpt that balances design creativity with anatomical believability.

4. Professional Mold-Making
Learn how to create a rigid resin mold from your sculpture. Capture every detail cleanly while preparing your mold for long-term, multi-pull use.

5. De-Molding & Mold Prep for Silicone
Discover techniques to safely de-mold your sculpture and prep it for silicone casting. Avoid common mold damage and ensure optimal results when casting silicone.

6. Tinting & Mixing Silicone
Achieve ultra-realistic translucency and skin tones with proper silicone tinting. Learn to control pigment saturation and master mix ratios for different FX needs.

7. Gel-Filled Silicone Prosthetic Fabrication
Push your prosthetic realism further with soft, gel-filled appliances. These flexible pieces offer enhanced movement and tactile realism, perfect for facial features or dynamic zones.

8. Pre-Painting with Airbrush & Hand Detail
Complete your prosthetic with professional paint techniques. Learn both airbrushing and hand-painting methods to build lifelike skin textures, tones, and depth with precision.

No experience necessary. Just bring your imagination. All clay, molding materials, and a set of basic sculpting tools are provided.*
*Students must bring their own organic vapor respirator.

Whether you’re starting your FX journey or looking to level up your skills, this course gives you the professional training and confidence to produce high-quality silicone prosthetics from start to finish.

Dates: Thursday Nights, May 22nd – July 10th from 7-10pm (8 Weeks)

Tuition Fee: $1850 CAD / Student

10% Discount for previous Vancouver FX students and art/makeup school graduates. Contact us for a discount.

Register for this class by contacting us at vancouverfxstudio@gmail.com or email us HERE