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I’m Dick Smith. I’ve been a
make-up artist for 61 years. I created the special makeup for
THE EXORCIST, THE GODFATHER and many other films. You can see my
credits and photos of my work by clicking on
Dick Smith’s Work.
I think makeup is a crazy,
creative, challenging, wonderful profession. I’ve loved it all
my life, and I’ve also loved helping other creative people to
become makeup artists. In 1985 I decided to write about all of
the techniques I’d invented or learned. My ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL
MAKEUP COURSE took nearly two years of full time writing and
research and has been extensively updated since. The Course is a
massive compendium for home study of all the arts and crafts of
character makeup and special effects. It is an incredibly
detailed tool that you’ll refer to now, and for years to come
throughout your career.
My Course is not a school;
there are no classrooms. It’s a home study course that is sent
by mail, so you can study it anywhere. It has been studied by
hundreds of artists in 34 countries around the world. I even
have two students in Iceland.
The text of this
three-volume course is written in a conversational style, not
formal textbook style; it’s as if I were sitting at your elbow,
explaining things to you. The text includes black & white
illustrations and diagrams. There’s also a booklet containing
color photos that illustrate the special make-ups and techniques
discussed in the text. A DVD of me applying my Abraham Lincoln
makeup to Hal Holbrook shows, with excellent close-ups, all of
the steps in the application of a typical prosthetic makeup. For
detailed information as to the Course contents, click on
What’s In The Course?
But what if you don’t
understand something in the text, have questions, need help?
Students who enroll in the Advanced Course receive a year and a
half of professional instruction by e-mail. In addition to help
in understanding and applying the text’s voluminous information,
you’ll get detailed guidance in mastering the sculptural
techniques I’ve developed over the years. You’ll also receive
helpful critiques of works-in-progress and your finished
make-ups. And you’ll get career advice.
When you have learned to
sculpt and apply make-up professionally, I’ll examine pictures
of your work. If you qualify, I will award you my CERTIFICATE OF
SPECIAL MAKEUP EFFECTS ARTISTRY. This Certificate is an
invaluable aid in obtaining employment. Make-up shops know
that my Certificates are awarded for merit only, unlike the
diplomas from makeup schools, which are given simply for
finishing the program. The value of my Certificate was best
expressed by Rick Baker, who has won 6 Oscars and employed
hundreds of artists in his long career: “If you are going to
include a diploma in your portfolio, make sure it’s the one that
counts. The only one that counts in my book is the one that
comes from Dick Smith’s Advanced Professional Makeup Course”. To
see other recommendations from top make-up artists,
Click Here. |
