Silicone Skin Painting Workshop | Galway | July 2025
Start Date: Saturday, 5 July 2025 | Duration: 2 x Days | Cost: €450 | Max Participant Numbers: 10
Overview
This course is delivered in partnership with Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet.
Immerse yourself in two days of creativity, craft, and hands-on learning in the stunning surroundings of Stiúideo Fia. This in-person workshop offers a rare opportunity to explore professional silicone painting techniques for hyper-realistic human skin, guided by seasoned industry artist Paul McDonnell.
You’ll work directly on a silicone face bust and gain the skills to achieve lifelike finishes using industry-standard tools and materials. From mastering colour theory to using an airbrush, this workshop is designed to elevate your artistry—whether you’re new to the medium or building on existing skills
Enjoy the process, take in the beautiful landscape, and leave with a finished bust and a deeper understanding of professional stop-motion and prosthetics craft.
At the end of the workshop, there will be a photoshoot so you can document your finished piece and add high-quality images to your portfolio. You’ll also take home your painted silicone bust—a lasting reminder of your progress and creativity.
All materials are provided.
Schedule
Day 1 – Saturday, 5th July
Welcome & studio tour
Behind-the-scenes look at past projects: moulds, busts, and casting techniques
Safe chemical handling & silicone preparation
Overview of essential tools and materials
Prepare Silicone face bust
Introduction equipment
How to use an Air brush & clean it
What is an Eye blank, and why we use it
Understanding what colours makeup skin tones
Day 2 – Sunday, 6th July
Adding layers and detail
Matt coat
Time to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas with fellow creatives
Q&A
Photoshoot (eyes will be provided for photoshoot)
Participant profile/Who can apply/Eligibility
Open to anyone working, or wishing to work in, the Cultural and Creative industries. No previous experience required—just bring your curiosity and creative spirit!
All enquiries should be directed to maria@greasannamean.ie or frankeaveney@furthr.ie.
Tutor information
Paul McDonnell – Fabricator & Visual Storyteller
With over three decades of hands-on experience, Paul McDonnell is one of Ireland’s most accomplished model makers and practical effects artists. Highly skilled in puppet fabrication, miniature set design, and tactile world-building, Paul’s work spans an extraordinary range — from six-metre tall giants walking the streets to intricately detailed, hand-built worlds that fit on a tabletop. His craft is rooted in transformation: bringing inanimate objects to life with story, emotion, and physical presence.
As Creative Director of Stiúideo Fia, Paul leads with a maker’s mindset — shaping ideas through material, light, and movement. Whether building environments, designing creatures, or guiding teams, his approach blends technical precision with artistic intuition, always in service of narrative clarity.
A dedicated educator and mentor, Paul has trained hundreds of emerging artists in modelmaking, fabrication, and animation. He believes that great stories begin with great craft — in what we shape with our hands and bring to life frame by frame. From large-scale public works to miniature cinematic moments, Paul is committed to making the invisible visible through tangible, camera-ready artistry.
Connect with Paul McDonnell on Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, and X
Venue Information
Stiúideo Fia, Tír an Fhia, 8A, Lettermore, Co. Galway, H91 YY43 Google Map
We do not provide accommodation for this course. Please see a list of available accommodation in the area Stiúideo Fia Accommodation List
Costs/fee
Course fee €450 per person. (Normally this workshop would cost €700 per person without GnaM & CCIS support).
Deadline for course registration and payment
Thursday 26th June at 12 noon or earlier if all places are booked.
Dates and times of the course
Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th July 2025 from 09.30 to 18.30.
Due to our funding, this course is only available to those resident in the Republic of Ireland.
For any queries, please contact maria@greasannamean.ie or frankeaveney@furthr.ie.
Please register & pay using the link below.
If the course is booked out or the date does not suit, register HERE to join the waiting list or express your interest in participating on this course in the future. If we have sufficient interest we will run the course again soon.
CCIS will generally only accept requests for cancellation refunds up to 5 working days before the training course commences. CCIS may allow for refunds outside of this on a case-by-case basis. Any request for a refund must be made via email to frankeaveney@furthr.ie & insert the course name in the subject line.