All of the students from the 2012 APW Session and the 2011/12 Fall/Winter Session have just completed the Animation Portfolio Workshop. Each session culminates in two full days of extensive animation portfolio reviews where APW staff carefully select the very best drawings from each students’ work. The figure drawings that are selected and the room drawings and character drawings that are revised make up the final animation portfolio that will be used when applying to top animation schools.
Our students have worked extremely hard in preparation for these portfolio review sessions. Life Drawings are spread out on the floor and object drawings, room drawings and character designs are spread out on tables. APW instructors look at each portfolio drawing to make suggestions for revisions. After going through all of their drawings in this way, the students are prepared for the final portfolio submissions to animation programs such as Sheridan and Seneca as well as several US animation programs.
Scroll down to read what our students have to say about their experiences studying in the AWP.
APW instructors carefully review gesture drawings of the human figure in order to choose the most successful strong drawings for inclusion in each student’s portfolio.
A tired group on the final day of reviews. Many thanks to APW student Megan Sheppard for her fantastic photos!
Sam Vest takes his hat off to the APW team of instructors.
30 Comments
All your hard work has paid off guys. Time to show those schools what you guys are made of. Hope to see some of you guys next year at Sheridan.
I hope school is going well, Maria! That was a fun group you guys had last year in the workshop.
Hey guys. I just finished Sheridan portfolio review yesterday and just wanted to thank all the APW instructors. I’ve gotten into Ringling and Seneca already and I am extremely happy! I look back at my drawings I did before the workshop and I couldn’t help but chuckle :p I could have only grown this much because of the thorough feedback from the instructors. I also learned not only how to draw, but the attitude I should have towards art. Again, I am very grateful for that
Good luck to everyone else!
Nice going Kevin……
I’m glad things worked out for you.
Best of luck in school(s) next year!
Hey, I just wanted to thank you guys so much! I just got accepted to Art Center’s Entertainment Design program and I’m extremely happy about it, since it’s my first choice college! All the principles learned in the workshop are applicable to all sorts of fields in art and looking back I can see obvious improvements and the boost the workshop gave me- thanks to the APW instuctors, their feedback and advice! A valuable experience
Good luck with the portfolios everyone!
Congrats Alex….all your hard work paid off.
You’ve done well for yourself!
Great work, Alex! It was a pleasure to work with you. Stay in touch and we wish you all the best at Art Centre’s Entertainment Design Program!
Hi everyone!
I just received news on my acceptance to Sheridan’s Animation program! I feel like I’ve come a really long way.
Being a high school student, I felt unprepared. I knew I wasn’t at the level art programs expected me to be at, but I had trouble seeing my own mistakes and how I should go on about improving myself as an artist. The visual art classes in school don’t really teach you how to draw. None of the art classes I’ve taken really have, though they try, each with their own methods.
I’ve heard of the APW from my friend Maria Nguyen and the Workshop seemed to have a good reputation on the conceptart forums.
I took the Spring session and calling it a great experience would be an understatement. The teachers are nothing but helpful and passionate about drawing. My drawing as improved greatly by the time I finished the workshop. The workshop taught me the foundations of what every artist needs, whether it be as an animator, illustrator or architect for example. I’ve formed many positive habits and I’ve become so much more self-motivated as an art student. Being in an atmosphere with creative minds, hard workers, talents and passionate people really affected me positively because I’ve never had the opportunity to be around so many other artists.
Sorry, this is a lot longer than I expected. Thanks to everyone part of the APW for their positivity, honesty and support. Good luck everyone!
Hey Gerard, Vince, Faisal, Nick and Jose!
I think I speak for everyone when I say that I don’t even know if I can thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me and everybody else in the workshop!
You have taught me SO much in the six months that I’ve spent with you great bunch of guys. Let me just say it has been such a pleasure and an honour to have had all of you as my instructors. It was great knowing that there was always someone by my side helping me, teaching me, and guiding me through to create those perfect drawings!
I NEVER would have come this far if it weren’t for all of you. I cannot believe how much my drawing has improved since September!
Thank you Jose for being the hardass instructor that I needed to keep me focused and serious about life drawing! Seeing your work was really inspiring and I hope that I can be up to your level some day.
Thank you Nick for substantially improving my character design, seeing your incredible work was truly inspiring! You really have changed the way I draw my characters and I’ve improved so much because of you.
Thank you Faisal for keeping everything light hearted and humouring us while you pushed us through those intense gesture drawing workouts (which were extremely helpful)…and entertaining!
Thank you Gerard your advice, your tips and warnings and especially your motivational and inspirational speeches. Everything you said was a real confidence booster! I may not have seen much of you at the workshop, but I have a feeling that I’ll be seeing you again real soon!
And thank you Vince for teaching me everything I know! Your positivity and honesty mean SO much to me! It was a tremendous honour to have been taught by the man who worked along side Chuck Jones! I am so proud to say that we are cousins. Drawing MUST run in the family!
I really hope to see you all again very soon! If it weren’t for each and every one of you, I would have never been accepted into Sheridan College for Animation!
Thanks again!
Sincerely
Alexanne Boissonneau
xoxo
Great job on getting into Sheridan Michelle! I’m glad that the Workshop could be such a positive tool for you, and I’m flattered by all of your wonderful compliments. Keep up all the hard work as you journey through the animation program, and always stay focused on your goals. You’re going to be a great student there, and Sheridan is really lucky to have you, and all the other students from the workshop who are gaining acceptance.
Good luck on your first year of animation!
Chris Cherkas
I got in!
Thanks to all the hardworking members of the apw for making this happen, from the excellent organizational skills of Bernadette, to the variety of instructurs who drilled a great deal of information into our brains and MADE SURE it stayed there. And of course our excellent TA Josh, who helped whenever he could.
To the whole team at the APW, just want to say a huge thank you for all of your instruction, motivation and enthusiasm! I applied last year to Sheridan and was unsuccessful, so getting that acceptance letter this year felt like the most amazing accomplishment, and I couldn’t have made the leap of progress without everyone involved. The workshop was such a great and supportive environment and has had such a significant and positive impact on me and how I approach drawing now. Thanks guys!
Michelle, Alex, Keith, Danielle – Your hard work has given you the result you wanted. Keep drawing and enjoy your first year studying animation! I agree with Chris – Sheridan is lucky to have such dedicated students.
Hey everyone!
I was accepted into Sheridan’s Animation program today! I want to give my most sincere thanks to all the incredible instructors of the workshop – Vince, Jose, Nick, Faisal, Josh, Gerard – you guys are amazing. Thank you for your exceptional teaching methods that are truly one of a kind; Thank you for your constructive support and world class critique and advice; Thank you for making us work our tails off right to the end.
A year ago, I didn’t think I was capable of getting to a level of drawing that would get me into a school like Sheridan. It’s amazing what this workshop has done for me, how much I’ve grown and how much it’s changed how I look at drawing. I stepped into class the first day with virtually nothing, and came out with a wonderful toolbox that I’ll continue to add to for the rest of my life.
To all you radical guys, rock on, and I’ll never ever forget the irreplaceable gift you gave me at the workshop.
Best of luck to everyone!
- Brendan
Vince, Gerard, Jose, Faisal and Nick!
Last night I’ve discovered I’ve got into Sheridan! And it’s still hard to believe for me; before everytime when i looked at Sheridan’s animation program it seems to me like a far dream and now it became a reality! I would never make it through without your help.
I came all the way from Kazakhstan to do APW and I’m truly happy I happened to find you and that I got a chance to study in your workshop.
Despite that this year competition for animation course was quite insane, the little number of applicants who could get in, were many of Your students and this fact speaks for itself. You are great teachers and students need you. I’m really thankful for everything you’ve done for all of us. And in fact, I have some notes from your inspirational talks:)
I hope you continue running the workshop to help other students to fulfill their dreams! What else could I say, words as “thanks” probably wouldn’t be enough..
Just BIG bow to you. Big Bow…
With all of my respect,
Sincrely,
Olga Kim
Amazing! I’m very glad to hear about your successes (Maria, Kevin, Alexanne, Alex, Brendan and everyone from last session who has made it)
It is truly satisfying to hear you have gotten into the school of choice; don’t forget our teachings and make sure to keep up the good work.
All of you have work hard and long for this and the efforts have paid off; maintain this attitude and please drop by in the future! I’ll be glad to see how you are doing.
All the best,
Jose
Olga congratulations!! Glad to
Hear you made it!
According to access Sheridan I didn’t make it. Even so I want to thank everyone at APW for support and a good experience. It’s really hard watching all your friends move on.. Twice. But I am still happy for everyone who made it. -Sarah
Congratulations guys, I’m glad to hear the work has paid off. For the students who unfortunately haven’t made it in this year, I hope you learn from whatever feedback you can get and try to apply it the best you can to your growth as an artist– A lot of successful applicants in this and any other field have been there. It can be discouraging (I’d be surprised at the person who wasn’t), but its all the more fulfilling to overcome being deflated and rising with the occasion to try anew.
For those who got in: don’t stop here, keep drawing!
For those who didn’t get in: don’t stop here, keep drawing!
Nick
Sarah….let’s chat about the results you got from the school.
I have a few ideas for you.
I am not sure if I have your email Gerard mine is magicalnarwhal@hotmail.com
I got my score sheet today and I am really quite mad..
2.95
Sarah.
I’m in L.A. for a few weeks and I’m back in the middle of April.
Let’s get together and go over the score sheet and look at your drawings together……
A chat will prove helpful.
I believe Vince is just organizing a get together for a review of portfolios on the Facebook page….
Have a look there also for dates and info.
In the meantime…hang tight!
G.
Hi all, Vince asked me to post something I said on the facebook group, so here is.
“As a fellow Sheridan Animation classmate of Mr Nick Motrich (APW TA) the 3rd here, and former student of the APW 2006/2007, I can only press on what he and the instructors are saying. I wish you all luck, and all the best in your future endeavors as artists. Know, that “not getting in” is, as Nick said, not the end of the world.
I tried 5 times to get into Sheridan. I got into Cal arts, I got into Emily Carr, I got into almost every other school but Sheridan. The bar is high there, but stare it in the face and be confident. In second year we declare we have “leveled up” if we see great improvement in our abilities. If you get in,all the power to you,and strive to be the best that no one ever was! (Yes,I made that reference). And if you don’t, STRIVE,STRUGGLE, AND DRAW YOUR FACE OFF until you feel your portfolio is over 9000. THEN, DO ANOTHER PORTFOLIO. Only by drawing can you get better at drawing.”
Congrats to those that got into their respective schools, and whoever didn’t, as I said above, do not give up! DRAW, DRAW, DRAW!!! YOU CAN DO IT!
Hi fellow creative people,
I quickly want to thank the instructors and the tutors of the workshop, because even though a year has passed since I took it, each of you taught me a great deal on how to draw! THANK YOU!
Now, to the APW students! Vince Peets also asked me if I would like to share what got me through this year and into my program (animation at Sheridan).
Here’s what I think will help anyone in the same shoes, anyone who has a lot less IMMEDIATE input on their portfolio pieces:
- Trust in your ideas, don’t lose faith in yourself! (MORE important than anything else I can say.)
- Keep motivated, keep excited! ^__^ This a labour of love. Don’t leave happiness OUT of the fight for this portfolio.
- If you do not yet rely on raw skill, then congrats(!) you are already privy to, or at least beginning to be aware of something important: the creative process! This being the fact that if you keep working on something, it will come out good. AND the opposite: that all things which are well-made were likely worked on and tweaked VO-LU-MIN-OUS-LY.
(The APW instructors had asked me not to give up on good ideas and to take them to their end.)
- Stick to the basics – simplify simplify simplify! “Being able to draw” is all your evaluators are looking for. And that means knowing those basics. “Basics basics basics, blah blah blah… Why do you keep saying that??” Because those are the things which you already spent MONTHS putting into practice at the workshop.
In the APW classes, you came up with varied shapes and an interesting silhouette for your character. Then, you practiced USING those shapes to pose that character in action poses that the workshop instructors dictated… Ok, as follows, you should PROBABLY keep all the understructure in the final too! (Evaluators want to see those non-pencil understructure shapes acting against, or in relation to, one other as the character does this or that action.) In other words, don’t hand in the math answers without their equations!
Once it comes to drawing your own room, draw using construction lines, just as you drew a chair or a portion of the room in class. (Cut angles across cupboards, if you have them; to keep them equal within depth. Place that object, bed, or table in the right area by drawing it over the corresponding construction tiles on the floor. Check its placement by either pulling a line from the wall or another object that shares its edge.) Redraw or keep all the important construction/measuring linework and the floor grid in the final piece, drawn lightly (colour pencil signifies it’s not really there, it’s just construction). MY room drawing was chaos… I draw rough, so I should have redrawn to make it easier on them. Make yours have good line quality, nice finishing touches. Give yourself time for that.
(And, if you ARE in touch with people that know the basics well, ask ask ask.)
- This portfolio will get you in. Fact. (Renew fact if needed. Tell others as much OR as little as you wish.)
Bonus Advice:
* Your portfolio pieces are the only important thing to focus on…
Getting better at drawing awesome characters ALL of the time starts with improving that single portfolio character in front you. (What is he/she/it communicating with their build? How could what they are, be communicated in a simpler, more immediately-recognizable way? Do they have variance and interest?)
Spend more time on THIS room. (Does everything make sense? Would the low part of the wall that meets the floor not have a border in any normal room? It takes time to draw it all in, but these pieces will get you in. I know it.)
Draw from a book of hands. Draw from books on figure drawing. Each time you are drawing your hands from observation or you are drawing the model across from you; you are performing. Perform well with confidence, pride, AND creativity! Each time you perform at your peak, you are surpassing your previous performances. Though you yourself may not see it.
Communicating ANYTHING in storyboarding takes some learning. Remember all those helpful things that your workshop teachers said to you or a classmate on the topic. Read a book about it to gain some more knowledge.
Drawing animals requires KNOWING a whole lot of how to build their anatomy in simple shapes, BEFORE going to the Zoo or the Royal Winter Fair to perform. (It is sooo much easier to draw at the Royal Winter Fair than to do so at the zoo. DON’T miss out on doing so.) Redraw images from animal-drawing books endlessly!!! (Go to the ROM again on your own. Forcing yourself to draw in a sculpting manner, or to “chisel” planes from larger volumes, makes you better at drawing that animal, gives you the knowledge of its claws or snout or funny rump.)
*See if there is any way to make more time for yourself, ask for help in getting more free time. Ask others when and how they work. Work WHEREVER you are more productive. THIS little trick – the ability to make time – can quickly become significantly tougher for you than it has been in the past. Life’s a game, deal with it. Heck, enjoy it when possible! HAHAHA! C: We sometimes have ATLAS’s burden on our shoulders (whether others know or don’t know that we do), but we MUST succeed in working on our art, because we WANT to! (I overheard advice along these lines being given to lots of people at the workshop. It is VERY helpful to increase the time you have for art OR for resting just before art. Also, combine art with leisure and evn with work if possible. I keep a tiny sketchbook that I get to doodle into once in a million at work. It makes me feeeel better. LoL! Honestly though.)
*Include a table of contents in your portfolio and title each section. You’re in.
Sarah…did you get the email I sent you?
Hi! Your workshop looks so exciting and it seems that those who take it come out with a real fighting chance to get into some great animation schools. My daughter, Catherine, is taking Art Fundies this Sept. at Sheridan after not making the cut for animation. Please say there are still openings for the spring/12 session:-)
Hi Paula, we may have spots still open for the 2012/13 session. You can email our administrator Bernadette for more details. bernadette@animationportfolioworkshop.com
Hi when it comes to characters what are u looking for in the competition there are so many types of characters is there anything in general like drawing them tools or no tools, giving them a description of who they are or what influence.There are so many like charlie brown types or superman super hero types, ren and stimpy types, roko modern life tpes, doug types, beetle juice types, dora the explora types, as told by ginger, jake long the american dragon, rug rats, static shock etc.I know that so many are applying and i still want to apply as exciting as it is but after the competion if u have time could u possibly give me feed back on my character what u wanted to see etc in case i dont happen to win as much as i’d hope too i’d really appreciate an email or phone call what ever feels comfortable. So I hape to hear from you have a great day .
Hi Johanna,
Thanks for your interest in the Character Design Contest.
We’ve decided to not specify what style to use when individuals like yourself design characters for the contest.
Any one of the different styles that you have mentioned would be fine. Really, it’s up to you.
We have decided to ask a team of animation instructors to offer their thoughts and feedback on the winning character designs.
I look forward to seeing your character design.
http://www.animationportfolioworkshop.com/apw-character-design-contest/contest