Join the 2024 Waitlist to more about the course!

What is From Paint to Pattern?

From Paint to Pattern is a 10 week immersive course of professional training in Adobe Photoshop. With over 20 years of experience in Photoshop, Sarah walks you through her design process step-by-step.  You will learn everything you need to take your artwork, digitize it, and explore and unlock new possibilities. You are going to be amazed with all the projects you can do with your art.

Unlock Your Creative Potential

Transform Your Artwork into Patterns and Illustrations and learn how to start a Thriving Surface Design Career.

Our course is meticulously crafted to guide you through every facet of pattern creation and surface design, equipping you with the tools to transform your artistic visions into stunning pattern collections. Led by renowned fabric designer Sarah Watts, this course is more than just a learning experience – it's a gateway to a new chapter in your creative life.

Unleash Your Creativity

Explore the fundamentals of color theory, composition, and design aesthetics that underpin captivating patterns. Learn how to design compelling motifs and  understanding how to evoke emotions and tell stories through your designs.

Master Photoshop Techniques

Photoshop is your canvas, and we'll guide you in mastering its tools with finesse. From the basics of layers and brushes to advanced techniques like blending modes and smart objects, you'll become a Photoshop pro. Learn how to seamlessly tile patterns, ensuring they flow harmoniously across various product surfaces. 

Launch Your Career

The culmination of our course isn't just knowledge; it's the launchpad for your surface design career. Develop a portfolio that showcases your diverse talents and unique style.Our experts will share insights on the surface design industry – its trends, market demands, and niches that are ripe for exploration. Discover how to translate your skills into a viable career, whether it's in fashion, home décor, stationery, or beyond.

Connect and Thrive

Join a community of like-minded creatives, where collaboration and inspiration thrives. Engage in discussions, share your triumphs, and seek advice from fellow students and industry leaders. Our community extends beyond the course, providing you with ongoing support in a private community as you navigate your new career path.

Your Future Awaits

The journey from patterns to a thriving surface design career starts here. Are you ready to harness your artistic flair, master Photoshop, and venture into a world where your creativity knows no limits? Enroll today and step into a future where your passion becomes your profession, and your designs leave an indelible mark on the world. Your canvas is waiting – let's paint your success together!

Hi there, I'm Sarah Watts.

I am so happy that you are here!

I want to share with you my step-by-step process in how to take your artwork into the computer using Photoshop. I want to guide you through this amazing program, to create beautiful, marketable pattern design collections that fully express your creative vision.

I want to help you massively expand your creative potential. 

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of designing over 25 fabric collections and have collaborated with over 35 companies. I can't even begin to express the joy that this profession has brought me. And even better, the joy it brings me to share it with you. It all began when I learned how to use Photoshop. Join me, and we can make your work expand into a whole new world of possibility.

Hear from students:

From Paint to Pattern Will Fast Track Your Digital Art Skills.

All The Tools You Need To Build Professional Artwork in Photoshop

Simply the most in-depth training for Photoshop in the surface design industry. 

Student Before and After Samples

From Paint to Pattern Alumni

"I have loved being apart of the From Paint to Pattern community. Sarah has created an environment that welcoming, fun and so supportive."

From Paint to Pattern Alumni

"Sarah broke things down and her approach is down to earth even though she's so experienced and has so much expertise in Photoshop."

From Paint to Pattern Alumni

"The experiences and relationships that I have gained while in this class have been life changing, going far beyond learning how to digitize my art and create repeat patterns in photoshop."

Special guest sessions with top industry pros!

Meenal Patel Studios LLC

Illustrator, Children’s Book Author, and Designer
 

Jen Hewett

Illustrator, Author, and Printmaker
 

Dylan M.

Illustrator+Educator
 

Helen Dardik

Illustrator, Painter, and Surface Pattern Designer

Mike Lowery

NY Times Best-Selling Author and Illustrator

Elizabeth Olwen

Print and Pattern Designer

Emmanuel Wisdom

Conscious Creator & Typographer

Jehane Boden Spiers

One of the Industries' Top Art Agents

Peggy Dean 

Artist, Best-Selling Author, and Award-Winning Educator.

Sumana Ghosh-Witherspoon

Surface Pattern Designer, Artist, and Graphic Designer

Kyle Webster

Renowned Illustrator, Designer, Author, Teacher and Adobe Design Team Member

Yuko Shimizu

A multi-award-winning Japanese illustrator based in New York City. 

Live Q+A Session with my Ruby Star Family

Alexia Marcelle Abegg

Ruby Star Society

Kim Kight

Ruby Star Society

Melody Miller 

Ruby Star Society
 

Rashida Coleman-Hale

Ruby Star Society

 

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ARE YOU READY TO ELEVATE YOUR ART? 

Sign Me up!

Meet the From Paint to Pattern team!

Jane Youn

Brand Manager and PC Nerd

Jane started out as a student in the very first From Paint to Pattern! Now she works here where she does quite a little bit (or a lot!) of everything behind the scenes. She helps everything stay on track with the brand. You'll see a lot of her in the class, community, and at the school email! In her free time Jane likes to build Lego sets, play video games, or hang out with her cats. She loves anything on the scale of spooky to cute.

Whitney Marshall

Virtual Assistant 

Whitney is a teacher, artist, and devoted dog mom. She has degrees in Fine Art + Graphic Design. She dabbles in quite a few artistic mediums - charcoal, paint, digital, fabric, woodwork, and more. Whitney loves learning new artistic techniques and is always looking to practice a new skill. She embodies this amazing and accurate saying:  A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.

What is the course curriculum?

So happy that you asked!
Click below to check out the syllabus and schedule.

Shelley Nichols

I signed up for From Paint to Pattern because, as a graphic designer, Photoshop was my Achilles heel. But I got so much more! Come for the instruction, but stay for the whole Sarah Watts Experience TM! Sarah Watts is both an illustration wizard and Photoshop nerd. 

 

 

Melissa Merriman

I have really enjoyed From Paint to Pattern! Sarah is a wonderful down to earth teaching so willing to share her years of expertise. She makes you feel comfortable asking any questions. Loved the guests speakers. The training allows you to work at your own pace and build upon itself so you're not overwhelmed. Loved having her as an instructor!

Lawren McCall

Sarah is a magical teacher. Everything she teaches is easy to understand and her incredibly fun personality just enriches the experience. I love learning from Sarah and this class was incredible!

 

 

 

 

Esther Probst

Sarah’s course helped me to master Photoshop and to convert my art into beautiful patterns. It opened a whole new world of possibilities to design products, wall art and even complete fabric collections. The community is so supportive, too. I couldn’t have done it without the course.

"I wish I could fully express to anyone setting off on the From Paint to Pattern and Photoshop journey, how often you are going to want to go back and watch this course over and over again.  Investing in your dreams, particularly financially, can be daunting and overwhelming.  Doing this work and learning these skills were the jet fuel I needed to propel myself forward at a time when I felt stuck."

-Becky  Hershey

Your From Paint To Pattern Questions Answered 

WHY PHOTOSHOP?

Photoshop has been a powerhouse digital design staple for a reason. It is the most powerful tool that preserves the textures of your artwork. It gives you endless options and control over your work. And despite the name, it's not just limited to photos. Photoshop allows you to collage work from any medium together into something new and beautiful.

WHY 10 WEEKS?

We are digging deep into the whole process of designing a surface design collection in Photoshop. This took me years to figure out but I was able to get it down into a 10 week course that has actionable steps with pleasing results each week. Those little victories over the course of 10 weeks build on each other. You will see how taking a little time to create a collection will really let it shine it's fullest potential. 

CAN I KEEP UP?

The beauty of this course is you have forever access! With videos and content you can replay forever, not only can you self pace, you can refer back to the course contents if you get stuck later. From Paint to Pattern isn't just a course, it's also a reference library full of industry tricks and insider knowhow that will help you get your surface design collections and other projects done for years to come.

WHAT WILL I GAIN?

If you follow the curriculum, you will walk out of this class with a cohesive pattern collection that can range from a mini group of 3-6 pieces to a full collection of multiple color ways. All while learning Adobe Photoshop, which is an essential program for the digital design industry. Gain insight on design principles, create spot illustrations, and develop some creative friendships. The sky is the limit! 

Learn Photoshop for Surface and Digital Design

From Paint to Pattern is simply the most in-depth training for Photoshop in the surface design industry.

Leah Bry

"I truly can't say enough about the quality of this course: Sarah's lessons are detailed and comprehensive, entertaining and accessible. Not only does she teach total beginners how to use photoshop, she's an encouraging and inspiring art mentor and business coach, too."

 

Savannah Palma

I have taken many of Sarah’s classes and I’m never disappointed. She has so much knowledge and is willing to share it all. I have loved the community that comes along with Paint to Pattern and being able to take my art directly from Procreate, turn it into a repeat in Photoshop and save all the beautiful texture.

Trena Brannon

The way Sarah breaks down the lessons, and also the way she encourages her students, gives me confidence that I can learn to use Ps effectively to create quality designs from my mixed media artwork for products.

 

 

Elizabeth Reich

From Paint to Pattern's lessons build off of each other, and shows there is more than one way to do most things in Photoshop. The interviews with those in the industry and their creative process was inspirational, and the cherry on the top.

 

See what you can learn!

 

“I went from being a complete newbie to someone who can think in patterns and replicate those in Photoshop using Sarah's brilliant process. I am truly amazed at how thoroughly her knowledge comes through in this course.”

-Jess Holloway

The possibilities of where your art can go are endless.

  • Fabric
  • Children's Books
  • Gift Wrap
  • Gift Bags
  • NFTs
  • Cellphone Cases 
  • Laptop Cases
  • Tote Bags
  • Zip Pouches
  • Quilts
  • Baby Blankets
  •  Stationery
  • Coffee Mugs
  • Tshirts
  • Dresses
  • Enamel Pins
  • Patches
  • Lampshades 
  • Furniture
  •  Tea Towels
  • Stickers
  • Travel Gear
  • Apparel
  • Handbags
  • Kitchenware
  • Umbrellas
  • Plan Home Projects
  • Bedding
  • Shower Curtains
  • Greeting Cards
  • Tapestries
  • Toys
  • and so much more.

The 2024 class will be our best yet!

Enrollment opens in August, sign up below to stay in the loop.

Sign Up to Be on the 2024 Waitlist!

Frequently Asked Questions

The 2024 class will be our best yet!

Enrollment opens in August, sign up below to stay in the loop.

Sign Up to Be on the 2024 Waitlist!