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Saturday Art School
Special FX Make-up (stage 1)

Special FX Make-up (stage 1)

Ages: 12-15
Term: Autumn
Length: 8 weeks

Overview

This highly creative and practical course gives aspiring make-up artists aged 12-15 the chance to explore the wonderful world of special effects make-up.

To book your young artist’s place today, simply click the 'Book Now' button to be taken to AUB's secure online store, where you can complete your booking. You can also sign up to our newsletter for Saturday Art School updates.

What you need to know

When does it run?

Autumn term 2025

Saturday 27 September | Saturdays 4, 18–25 October | Saturdays 1, 15–29 November 2025

Please note, there are no sessions on 11 October and 8 November due to AUB Open Days.

How long is the course?

8 Saturdays

What time are the classes?

09.30-12.30

Who's this course for?

This course has been developed for aspiring make-up artists aged 12-15.

Does my young artist need any qualifications or experience?

No. This is an introductory course, so your young artist doesn't need any previous experience, just buckets of enthusiasm!

I’m not sure if this is suitable for my young artist. Can I speak to someone?

Yes of course! If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for your young artist, get in touch with us: email academy@aub.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 1202 363222.

How much does this course cost?

£259

What's included in this price?

All course materials and resources
Everything your young artist will need to take part in the course will be provided by us – no hidden costs!

Classes are practical, so wear clothes that you don't mind your young artists getting messy.
Drinks and snacks for break time and duration of class; please ensure snacks don't contain nuts.
It's strongly advised that mobile phones, tablets and other valuables aren't brought to class. Any personal possessions are the responsibility of your young artist and AUB won't be liable for any loss or damage.

About this course

This highly creative and practical course has been designed especially for budding make-up artists aged 12–15, to provide an insight into the make-up skills needed to play a key creative role in performance, fashion, film and television.

Young make-up artists will be introduced to a wide range of make-up skills and special effects, perfect for young artists that are interested in prosthetic, casualty and creative make-up.

Throughout the course, your young make-up artist will receive a broad introduction based on the many different methods, applications and specialist techniques surrounding make-up, particularly special effects make-up for all types of media and performance.

Delivered in our state-of-the-art make-up studios, your young artists will be expertly led by their tutor, Julia Carter, who has over 10 years of experience stemming from her time teaching across AUB’s BA (Hons) make-up for Media and Performance.

Your young make-up artist will receive a well-rounded experience of the creative side to make-up and special effects. They’ll have the opportunity to work in a professional environment and have the real experience of working on each other. They’ll also develop good communication skills as they learn about the importance of health and safety and gain the confidence to apply make-up on another person.

An introduction to creative make-up.
Designing and applying creative make-up, using wigs and a variety of special effects.
Casualty make-up to include black eyes, slit lips, bruises and blisters.
Special effect and prosthetic make-up to include severed fingers, burns, and applying a prosthetic nose.
Creative make-up to include monster creation.

At the end of the course your young artist will:

Possess improved artistic skills and make-up application techniques.
Understand how to apply make-up following health and safety guidance.
Be able to use and apply a range of make-up materials.
Understand how to transfer design ideas to practical application.
Be able to apply make-up to model with confidence.
Possess improved communication skills.
Understand the importance of preparing materials to apply designs.
Be able to source appropriate materials.
Have increased confidence in their own skills.
Have boosted creativity and imagination.
Feel inspired by the new skills they've learnt and from sharing ideas with new friends.
Have the foundations to continue creating beyond this course.
You can request a certificate to confirm your young artist's achievements, providing they have 100% attendance record. To request a certificate please get in touch with us at academy@aub.ac.uk and confirm name of your young artist and the title of course they've completed.

Text that reads ' start their creative journey'. This overlays three smiley faces.

Book your young artist's place today

Book now

Meet your young artist’s tutor

Julia Carter

Julia has had a varied career in the Arts, and has taught sculpture and life drawing as a visiting lecturer in further education and at...

Beyond the course

This could just be the start of your young artist's creative journey! After this course, your young artist could further their make-up SFX skills with our stage 2 course, continue to harness their creativity and explore alternative Saturday Art School subjects, look forward to the future and the next step(s) in their creative journey by exploring AUB's Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media.