Visual Arts Brampton
Learn the basics of animation! For anyone who wants to become an animator or just learn it as a hobby, general skill set or other reasons. We will develop a foundational understanding of animation, what it is, and how to do it. This class will primarily be traditionally-focused (frame by frame), using a light pad and flipbooks, but the knowledge gained here can be used and applied to all forms of animation. This is not an art or drawing focused class, so students with any experience level in art may join. Some anatomy, structure and perspective will be taught if students so request it.
Details
Ages: 9-18
Dates: Sunday, April 12 to May 31, 2026
Holiday: No class on May 17 for Victoria Day Weekend
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Sessions: 7
Price: $250
Materials: Not Included - See Materials List
Skill Level: All Skill Levels
What Students Will Learn
- Students will learn the principles of animation and how to apply them to their art work, or any other medium capable of being animated.
- Some anatomy, character design, structure and perspective will be taught as well.
- Every class students will animate something, starting from a simple ball to ending with animating a basic character they have created doing something simple.
About the Instructor
Paul Makowski
Paul has 7 years of experience in animation, having worked on 2 animated series productions for TV/Streaming ("Open Season: Call of Nature", and "Best & Bester"), on animated promotional material for various organizations, as an animation instructor and on his own weekly projects. He possesses a strong understanding of the animation principles and process, including timing, posing, staging and exaggeration. He is also proficient in various animation software, including Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Animate, Spine, Maya and Blender.
From 2013 to 2018, Paul has studied and practiced art at Sheridan College, Toronto School of Arts and Visual Arts Brampton. From 2018 to 2021, he moved into animation, studying it at Durham College, and then got his first production job working at Nelvana in 2021. Afterwards, he furthered his animation career working with Brown Bag Films, Shift Grit Psychology and Counselling, Parkaway Cinema and Project Comte Jewelry. He has recently gotten into teaching, with his first animation instructor job at Algorithmics Brampton West.
Materials
- Required:
- Pencils, erasers
- Sketchbook (for notes, concept drawing and thumbnails)
- Optional:
- Crayons, markers or coloured pencils
- Laptop or device with one of the following animation software installed (it is recommended that any student wanting to use one of these software in class should already have a very basic understanding of how to use them, such as knowing how to move, rotate and scale objects within them).
- Blender
- Synfig Studio 64
- Any digital art software that can handle layers and frames - Character rigs will be provided for any student wanting to use Blender or Synfig Studio in class.