Learn from Ashleigh
Hey, I’m Ashleigh Fish, artist, surface pattern designer, educator, and your biggest cheerleader.
I originally studied education at university with plans to become a teacher, but after graduating, life took me on a different (and beautiful) path. Travel, motherhood, and a creative spark led me to discover my true passion: surface pattern design.
Over the years, I’ve had the joy of collaborating with brands like RJR Fabrics, Alice & Ames, Studio Oh, Hawthorne Supply Co., and Loomwell, bringing my hand-painted patterns to life on everything from fabric to clothing and home goods.
My classes are all self paced and easy to follow. Ready to get started?
Pinterest Workshop
Learn how I attract licensing enquiries and brand collaborations using Pinterest!
Pinterest is the best platform to turn one pin into lasting visibility and get real licensing enquiries from brands.
The Polished Portfolio Method
How to create a surface pattern design portfolio.
If you’ve been dreaming of working with your favourite brands, but second-guessing every step (What do I include? Where do I pitch? Am I even ready?)… you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
A portfolio is the most powerful tool to get your artwork in front of dream clients with confidence
The Confident Pitch Method
How to pitch your surface pattern designs with confidence.
If you’ve been dreaming of working with your favourite brands, but second-guessing every step (Who do I email? What do I say? Am I being too pushy?)… you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
A confident pitch is the most powerful way to get your artwork noticed, and finally land your designs in front of the art directors and brands you want to work with.!
Evergreen licensing themes
The most popular themes that brands and art directors are looking for every year, all year long! These are must haves in your portfolio and will stand the test of time!
1 on 1 coaching call
Book a 1 hour coaching call with Ashleigh. This can be anything from a portfolio review to creative coaching and mentorship.
A private zoom call where I can give you advice on the next best steps for you.
How to surface pattern design
Not ready to dive into a course? Check out my free resources and tutorials jam packed with tips to help you on your creative journey.
Skillshare classes for surface pattern designers
How to make a seamless repeating pattern in Photoshop
In this class I will show you how to turn your motifs and illustrations into seamless repeating patterns using pattern preview in Adobe Photoshop. This is a beginner friendly class though some knowledge of Photoshop will be helpful.
We will go over
Organising your motifs
Creating a working file
Create smart objects
Setting up a pattern document
Creating a pattern
Changing the background colour
Saving and exporting the pattern
Pattern preview for sharing your work
This fun class is perfect for artists who hand paint traditionally on paper or create art on their iPad in procreate who want to learn how to turn their art into a pattern!
Skillshare is a subscription based service - you can get a free month using my affiliate link if you want to try it out.
How to digitise your watercolour in photoshop
One of the most common questions I get is how do I digitise my watercolour paintings!
Let me share with you my two favourite ways that I take my artwork from paper to screen.
We will cover
Scanning our artwork
Opening our scan in photoshop
Setting up a file ready for editing
Removing the background
Different ways to select our motif with the wand tools
Cleaning up edges
Fixing blemishes
Comparison of the two methods
Saving transparent files
Once you have digitised your motifs we will save them as a transparent PNG so they can be used for clipart, art prints, invitations, repeating patterns, POD sites, stickers and more!
You will need adobe photoshop for this class.
Skillshare is a subscription based service - you can get a free month using my affiliate link if you want to try it out.
Lifetime access to the class - no subscription required.
How to trace photos to paint watercolour flowers
Learn to paint watercolour botanicals the easy way. In this class you will learn how to paint 3 different floral paintings using my signature invisible tracing technique. We will also learn other fun techniques like wet on wet, watercolour bleeds, transparency and wet on dry. By the end of the class you will have some beautiful paintings you have created yourself.
You’ll learn basics like what paint, paper and bushes to use
How to trace florals from your photos using an iPad or window
How to use a watercolour pencil to create a sketch that dissolves with water
Colour mixing and blending
Techniques to create texture, detail and interest.
How to control your brush and use one brush for all three paintings.
This class is great for all levels!
Beginners will learn a fun, approachable way to paint.
Advanced artists will learn new techniques that apply to painting anything.
I have reference photos and outlines available for practice. You are of course welcome to use your own photos
Skillshare is a subscription based service - you can get a free month using my affiliate link if you want to try it out.