CMU TORONTO Professional Makeup Artist Courses

Setting the international standard for advanced makeup artistry education, CMU is proud to deliver the highest skill training of any makeup artist college in Canada. CMU offers a variety of professional makeup artist courses in Toronto within our makeup diploma and certificate programs. 

Professional Makeup Artist Course Photographic & Studio Hairstyling

Makeup artistry is more than just makeup application. To create a complete look, an artist must have the skills to conceptualize and execute a cohesive hairstyle to tie it all together. In this course, students will broaden their skillset beyond makeup application to the face and body and learn how to create flattering hairstyles for various occasions. This course teaches techniques for blow-drying, braiding, updos and bridal hairstyling, as well as the history behind vintage and period styles. Students will understand how to interpret direction from multiple sources (directors, producers, clients and stylists) to create the perfect hairstyle for any situation. Hairstyling skills are an invaluable tool in a makeup artist’s repertoire and increase their employability in all areas of the industry.

What you'll learn:

  • Identify & explain facial features and shapes
  • Identify basic hairstyles
  • Selection of appropriate products and tools based on objectives and execution
  • Execution of hairstyles using techniques specific to each feature and style
  • Ability to create hairstyle based on a brief from client, producer/director/stylist
  • Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with a team to achieve common goals and objectives

Professional Makeup Artist Course Fashion Photographic Makeup

In this makeup artist course, students will learn the fundamentals of colour theory and skin analysis and how to apply these principles to create makeup looks for various ages, ethnicities and occasions. They will also learn how to leverage their skills to develop successful careers online as influencers and brand ambassadors or in-studio, on film sets or in salons. Students learn about breakthrough and innovative techniques, formulations and applications for fashion and editorial makeup, and designing and executing bridal makeup.

What you'll learn:

  • Identify & explain facial features and shapes
  • Identify basic makeup styles
  • Selection of appropriate products and tools based on skin analysis and objectives
  • Application of makeup using techniques specific to each feature and style
  • Application of colour theory to achieve desired results
  • Ability to create makeup look based on a brief from client, producer/director/stylist
  • Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with a team to achieve common goals and objectives

Professional Makeup Artist Course Theatrical Makeup

Have you ever wondered how an ordinary man becomes Mufasa in the stage production of the Lion King? Or how you’re able to distinguish the slightest facial expression on a performer no matter where in the audience you sit? That is the magic of Theatrical Makeup. In this makeup artist course, students study stage makeup theories and principles, employing facial anatomy, lighting, venue size, highlighting and contouring to design and execute makeup applications for live performances. The theatre course includes practical applications of specific character looks such as Chinese opera, skulls, animals, and historical period looks such as the 18th century. By the end of the course, artists will design and apply looks for every type of theatrical production, from stage plays to live concerts. Facial hair has the power to bring a character into a new period or augment a personality trait making them evil or gentle, distinguished or pathetic, rich or poor. Perfectly placed hairpieces can add realism to a character makeup or prosthetic application. In this course, students will learn the skills to knot moustaches.

What you'll learn:

  • Understanding of facial anatomy as it relates to theatre and stage makeup application
  • Design and execute highlight and shading techniques to achieve specific character objectives
  • Understanding and explain the impact of lighting on theatrical makeup application.
  • Use a variety of techniques and products in the creation of theatrical characters through makeup application.
  • Perform techniques appropriate for both straight and character makeup.
  • To be able to design an original and unique make-up for a competitive portfolio in the industry.
  • How to design and measure a moustache for a perfect fit.
  • Learn knotting techniques and directions to accomplish the desired effect.
  • Trimming and dressing the finished piece with correct application and removal

Professional Makeup Artist Course Film, Television & Special Effects Makeup

Film & Television is the most diverse course offered at CMU. Students will learn to create looks for various industry mediums, from commercial work to episodic television and feature film settings. Students will gain essential industry knowledge in the theory portion of the course. In studying theory, students will learn the various stages of production, how to run a makeup department from inside a trailer, and how to maintain continuity onset.

The practical makeup studied in this course covers a wide range of application techniques, allowing students to meet the skill requirements for this demanding, highly competitive industry. Application techniques can include casualty simulation & minor injuries, bald caps, burns, frostbite & exposure effects. Building on their knowledge base from the Fashion course, students will further delve into natural makeup applications to subtly augment an actor’s features, including ageing makeups, breakdown makeups and creating realistic-looking tattoos. The sky’s the limit in film & television.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

  • Understanding the stages of production and job functions and professionalism on film & television sets 
  • Understanding of key terminology, camera, and shot abbreviations
  • How to read a script and character breakdown for the purpose of designing & executing appropriate makeup looks 
  • Theory and practical skills for executing decade makeups from the 1920s - present & influential people, products, and events from the time
  • Practical skills for executing out of kit special effects - frostbite, bruising/small injuries, casualty simulation, exposure effects, and bald cap application 
  • Natural applications of makeup to subtly augment an actor’s features, including aging makeups, breakdown makeups, and creating realistic-looking tattoos.
  • Techniques for applying pre-made prosthetic appliances to integrate them into the final makeup look as one would on a film set.
  • Proper appliance application and blending techniques, as well as appliance removal and skincare, are included.

Professional Makeup Artist Course Prosthetic Makeup

Prosthetics covers the process of using sculpting, moulding, and casting techniques to create artificial appliances to transform an actor’s appearance dramatically. This makeup artist course is essential for students pursuing a career in the field of special makeup effects. Students will study the theory and principles behind prosthetic makeup design and application. After learning how to translate two-dimensional concepts into three dimensions, students will create moulds and learn how to sculpt, detail, and texture a design. Proper appliance application and blending techniques, as well as appliance removal and skincare, are also covered.

This course is included in the following programs

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

  • Effective communication with a film or television director and be able to design and implement their ideas.
  • How to interpret a project’s written description to develop a concept.
  • How to work with a production team to realize creatures and characters for the entertainment industry.
  • Understanding the prosthetic and creature sculpting workshop environment.
  • Understanding the basics of character design.
  • Techniques and procedures for sculpting and moulding prosthetics for screen-based media (Film, TV, online)
  • Procedures and techniques for painting and finishing prosthetics for screen-based media (Film, TV, online)

Digital Makeup Effects Course Figurative Sculpting

This course will introduce students to the principles and techniques behind figurative sculpting, which will prepare them to develop concepts for three-dimensional artwork. Students will learn about representational form, armature building, basic human anatomy, and fine detailing. These studies will continue with a creature head and figure sculpture.

This course is included in the following programs

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

  • Application of fundamental knowledge of the human form to sculpt a human or creature
  • Skills for sculpting human skeletal and muscular anatomy
  • Sculpting an original creature concept

Digital Makeup Effects Course Life Drawing

This course will introduce students to the principles and techniques behind life drawing. Students will gain the basic skills needed to draw the human form through observation. Focusing on human anatomy, musculature, and fine details will allow students to portray their concepts and work in a two-dimensional environment. Students will move on to study the human figure and skull and final creature concept drawing. 

This course is included in the following programs

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

  • Understanding of drawing fundamentals - terminology, gesture drawing, steps to create a composition 
  • How to draw different elements of the human body - hands, feet, faces 
  • Application of fundamental knowledge of the human form to draw a human or creature

Digital Makeup Effects Course Practical Creature Design: Sculpting

Students will learn how to design, construct, and mould an original sculpted character. This course is ideal for artists interested in working in special makeup effects labs, building projects for a film or television production, animation studio, museum, or entertainment venue. Artists will learn how to safely, effectively and confidently use the tools found in a workshop environment. A thorough study of how to plan a project is covered. By the end of the course, each student will have completed an original character or creature.

This course is included in the following programs

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

  • Fundamentals of planning, researching and designing an original creature
  • Terminology and skills required for work in creature and character design labs 
  • Stages for creature design and execution - sculpting a maquette, building an armature, blocking forms 
  • How to create a mould and cast your sculpted creature
  • Painting, hair laying, and flocking techniques to bring your character to life

Digital Makeup Effects Course Photoshop

This course teaches students Photoshop skills and workflows for digital sculpture creature creation. Photoshop technical theory, tools, palettes, and painting are introduced, followed by advanced techniques. This course thoroughly explores image manipulation, special effects, photo retouching, restoration, colour correction, and painting texture maps for three-dimensional work in preparation for the environment and character concepts. 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

  • Configuring Photoshop for a production environment
  • Setup of your personal space for a good workflow (lighting/desktop, etc.)
  • Techniques for skin retouching in photography
  • Fundamentals for effective movie poster and magazine layout design 
  • Creature and character conceptualization and design 

Digital Makeup Effects Course Digital Character Design: Z Brush Sculpting

This course provides students with knowledge and skills in using Zbrush, the leading digital sculpting tool for creating professional 3D character and creature designs. Through a series of exercises and assignments, students will design and develop high-resolution characters and creatures and learn rendering techniques for presenting their work. Students will also learn about the 3D scanning and printing process and how these, along with Zbrush, are used to create concepts based on real people. Students will also learn how to manufacture parts that can be used in real-life prosthetic makeup designs.

This course is included in the following programs

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

  • Skills in using ZBrush, the leading digital sculpting tool for creating professional 3D character and creature designs
  • 3D workflows including 3D sculpting, 3D painting, 3D anatomy studies, and 3D concept creation
  • Execution of a vision using the tools found in ZBrush
  • How to create 3D creatures and characters with proper anatomical structures
  • How to present work in a professional render
  • How to prepare a sculpt for 3D printing

Digital Makeup Effects Course Career Planning & Digital Portfolio Creation

This course will prepare students for employment as digital and practical sculptors for creature & character design. Students will learn strategies and tactics for job searching, networking, professionalism, and more. Artists will develop a complete and personalized career tool kit that includes a CV/resume, visual content (photos/video), a demo reel, and a comprehensive online portfolio. Finally, a mock interview will test and teach interview skills. 

This course is included in the following programs

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

  • Job searching techniques
  • Networking
  • CV/Resume
  • Portfolio content
  • Demo reel
  • Online portfolio

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