Ashleigh Fish surface pattern designer

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

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

coming soon!

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.