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.
Complete our 228 hour curriculum with classes once or twice a week for 38 weeks and be finished in time to submit your portfolio. Classes take place Online Saturday or Sunday from 10AM – 5PM EST.
Upcoming Sessions
Online: Saturdays, June 1, 2024 – February 15, 2025 (occasional classes on Sundays, please check the calendar for the full schedule)
Online: Sundays, June 1, 2024 – February 16, 2025 (occasional classes on Saturdays, please check the calendar for the full schedule)
Complete our 228 hour curriculum with classes Monday to Friday for 8 weeks. Classes are In-Person Monday to Friday from 10AM – 5PM EST.
Upcoming Sessions
In-Person: July 2 – August 27, 2024 (With a break from August 3rd-7th)
Complete our 228 hour curriculum with classes for 19 weeks and be finished in time to submit your portfolio. Classes take place In-Person or Online Saturday and Sunday from 10AM – 5PM EST.
Upcoming Sessions
In-Person: September 7, 2024 – January 26, 2025
Online: September 3, 2024 – January 25, 2025
Your portfolio matters.
Learn from the best.
Animation Portfolio Workshop has partnered with the Honourable Justice Kofi N. Barnes and APW Associate Director Joshua Miller, to offer the APW African Canadian Youth Scholarship granted annually to one student who best meets the specific financial and artistic eligibility criteria for this opportunity.
One opportunity can change everything.
African Canadian Youth Scholarship.
Not ready to build a portfolio?
Dip your toe into animation and sharpen your drawing skills with our introductory and open session programming.
The APW Animation Boot Camp offers a week-long, action-packed introduction to hand-drawn animation (Animation Basics) and character design (Character Basics). The Boot Camp is suitable for anyone 14 years old or older. Classes take place in-person from 10AM – 5PM EST.
Upcoming Sessions
In-Person: March 11- 15, 2024
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: Ongoing, Mondays 6 – 9 PM EST