Want to get into animation school?
Top drawings make top portfolios.
Learn to draw a stand out portfolio from
the animation portfolio experts.
Our students have been admitted to top animation schools around the world.






Our History
Animation Portfolio Workshop is Canada’s first and original animation portfolio preparation program. Founded in 1999 by Gerard Sternik and Vince Peets, we set the standard for pre-art college training in drawing.
We are a social yet disciplined environment for budding animators to build a strong portfolio by cultivating proper technique and learning how to measure their progress.
The last 23 years of teaching have proven to us that learning how to draw will prepare you to take on the challenges of school – and beyond.
Drawing excellence
is essential.
If your dream is to get into animation school, you need to know how to draw. No “short cuts” or “tips on portfolio-making” can ever substitute for doing the work.
We’ve designed our animation portfolio preparation course to cover exactly what you need to know in order to get into animation school and perhaps more importantly, to be able to meet the challenges of learning animation.
Our Course
228 hours of live, comprehensive, and interactive curriculum from our highly successful animation portfolio preparation program. Learn character design, life drawing, perspective, layout, storyboards and more while building your animation school portfolio.
We offer options to best suit your schedule. All classes are delivered live with the choice of in-person or online.
Our most popular class! Take our intensive 228 hour curriculum over 38 weekly classes and be finished in time to submit your portfolio.
Classes take place from 10AM – 5PM EST with your choice between Online or In-Person.
Upcoming Sessions
Online:
- Group A, Saturday: April 15, 2023 – February 4, 2024
- Group B, Sunday: April 16, 2023 – February 4, 2024
In-Person:
- Group C, Saturday & Sunday: April 15 – August 27, 2023 (including 8 evening classes; September 14 – November 2 | Thurs. | 6:00 – 9:00 PM EST)
- Online: July 4 – November 28, 2023
- July 4 – August 24 | Mon – Thurs | 10:00 – 5:00 PM EST
- September 12 – November 28 | Tues | 6:00 – 9:00 PM EST
Complete our 228 hour curriculum with classes twice a week for 19 weeks and be finished in time to submit your portfolio. Classes take place on In-Person Saturday and Sunday from 10AM – 5PM EST.
Upcoming Sessions
In-Person: September 9, 2023 – January 28, 2024
Take the first step towards your goal with APW.
Your portfolio matters.
Learn from the best.






Not ready to build a portfolio?
Dip your toe into animation and sharpen your drawing skills with our introductory and open session programming.
Not ready for our full session, but want to sharpen your drawing? Our Drawing Basics for Animation offers a thorough 126 hour introduction to Life Drawing for Animation and Drawing for Animation. The course borrows from our highly successful Animation Portfolio Workshop and rolls them into an intensive drawing class. This class is suitable for students 14 years or older who want to strengthen their drawing practice and do not yet need a portfolio.
Upcoming Sessions
In-Person: February 7 – June 29 2023, Tuesday & Thursday 6pm – 9pm EST
Online: May 23 – August 24 2023, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 6pm – 9pm EST
Upcoming Sessions
Practice is foundational. Join us in person to draw a live model without instruction. Poses range from 30 second gestures to extended poses of ½ hour or longer. These sessions are three hours long with appropriate breaks.
Upcoming Sessions
In Person: January 11 – February 22, Wednesdays 6 – 9 PM EST