Upcoming Courses

2-Day Eye Making Course

Dates: Thursday 3rd - Friday 4th July 2025
Time: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Location: Stiúideo Fia, Galway H91 YY43
Cost: €480

Join us for a fun and creative two-day workshop – no prior experience needed, just your imagination! You’ll meet like-minded people, enjoy delicious food, create something beautiful, and maybe even take a dip at the nearby beach.

What You’ll Learn:

The anatomy of the eye
How to hand-paint an iris
How to work with a photoshopped iris (button)
Techniques for creating realistic veins
Forming the lens (corneal bulge)
Eliminating air bubbles
Polishing the lens

What’s Included:

All materials provided
Take home all the eyes you create, plus the moulds you use

This is a popular course with limited places available – don’t miss out! Book now to secure your spot.

For more information or to book, email paulmcdonnelldesign@gmail.com.

An accommodation and transport guide is available on request.

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2-Day Silicone Painting Course

Dates: Saturday 5th – Sunday 6th July 2025
Location: Stiúideo Fia, Galway H91 YY43
Cost: Part-funded by Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet & Gréasán na Meán Skillnet

Immerse yourself in two days of creativity, craft, and hands-on learning in the inspiring surroundings of Stiúideo Fia. This in-person workshop offers a rare opportunity to explore professional silicone painting techniques used to create hyper-realistic human skin.

You’ll work directly on a silicone face bust and develop the skills to achieve lifelike results using industry-standard tools and materials. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to build on existing experience, this workshop will help you deepen your understanding and refine your artistry.

Enjoy the process, connect with fellow creatives, and take in the beautiful landscape while learning from a seasoned professional.

At the end of the workshop, you’ll take part in a photoshoot to professionally document your finished piece. You’ll also bring home your painted silicone bust—a lasting reminder of your creativity and growth.

All materials are provided. This course can also be combined with the Eye Making course.

Apply Here

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2-Day Stop-Motion
Animatable Hand Course

Dates: Saturday 16th August - Sunday 17th August
Location: Stiúideo Fia, Galway H91 YY43
Cost: Free

The National Talent Academy for Animation is thrilled to launch an in-person, hands-on workshop designed for beginners interested in stop motion animation facilitated by industry professional Paul McDonnell from Stiúideo Fia.

This session will guide participants through the process of building an industry-standard professional-quality animatable hand. During the workshop, participants can view Stop Motion Puppets, Sets, Props and more. Participants will receive all necessary materials and detailed instructions, including:

Day 1

Introduction to the studio, facilities, Health & safety talk.
Overview of essential materials and their purposes.
Cutting, shaping, and assembling a hand armature.
Understanding and implementing registration techniques.
Cast in Silicone.

Day 2

Demould silicone hand.
Clean up hand.
Animate hand using Dragonframe.

Candidates must be a resident in Ireland and be available to attend each class in person in Galway.

Apply Here

2-Day Stop-Motion
Animatable Hand Course

Dates: Saturday 16th August - Sunday 17th August
Location: Stiúideo Fia, Galway H91 YY43
Cost: Free

The National Talent Academy for Animation is thrilled to launch an in-person, hands-on workshop designed for beginners interested in stop motion animation facilitated by industry professional Paul McDonnell from Stiúideo Fia.

This session will guide participants through the process of building an industry-standard professional-quality animatable hand. During the workshop, participants can view Stop Motion Puppets, Sets, Props and more. Participants will receive all necessary materials and detailed instructions, including:

Day 1

Introduction to the studio, facilities, Health & safety talk.
Overview of essential materials and their purposes.
Cutting, shaping, and assembling a hand armature.
Understanding and implementing registration techniques.
Cast in Silicone.

Day 2

Demould silicone hand.
Clean up hand.
Animate hand using Dragonframe.

Candidates must be a resident in Ireland and be available to attend each class in person in Galway.

Apply Here

2-Day Stop-Motion
Animatable Hand Course

4-Day Stop-Motion
Costume Course

Dates: Saturday 23-26 August
Location: Stiúideo Fia, Galway H91 YY43
Cost: €650

Learn from Emily Hartley Nicholson – senior puppet fabricator with credits on Star Wars: Visions, Captain Morten, and Aardman classics. Emily is a true master of her craft!

Join us this August at Stiúideo Fia for a 4-day intensive in stop-motion costume fabrication. Whether you're a student or a pro looking to level up, you’ll learn how to create a costume for stop-motion puppets using industry techniques.

Sewing machines, tiny patterns, big results.

For more information or to book, email paulmcdonnelldesign@gmail.com.

An accommodation and transport guide is available on request.

2-Day Stop-Motion
Animatable Hand Course

5-Day Stop-Motion
Movement Course

Dates: 27-31 August
Location: Stiúideo Fia, Galway H91 YY43
Cost: €720

Learn from Henry Nicholson, award-winning Director/Animator with 20+ years at studios like Aardman and Telegael (Wallace & Gromit, Star Wars: Visions, Captain Morten).

Learn pro-level stop-motion movement from a master of the craft in our 5-day hands-on course at Stiúideo Fia!

Perfect for students and emerging animators or seasoned professionals wanting to learn something new and sharpen their craft.

For more information or to book, email paulmcdonnelldesign@gmail.com.

An accommodation and transport guide is available on request.