Create Extraordinary Textural Masterpieces.

• Unleash Your Inner Artist with Custom Surfaces: Instead of settling for plain white paper or cloth, learn to create dynamic backgrounds that add depth and character to your work. Your creations will no longer be just canvases; they'll become integral parts of your art.
• Master Juicy Painting Techniques: Dive into a world of colours and textures with an introduction to various paints, brushes, and materials. I will guide you through several of my favourite painting methods to bring vibrancy and life to your surfaces.
• Create Unique Marks for Digital Integration: Your marks are uniquely yours. Discover how to incorporate them into your digital work, making each piece distinctively personal and original.

Embark on a visual expedition in this module, where photography becomes the heart of your artistic expression.

• A Virtual Field Trip for Image Collection: Join Wen on a virtual excursion to capture and collect images. She’ll share tips on collecting images and developing an ‘eye’ for compositions that will elevate your art.

• Embrace the Power of Simple Edits: Discover how simple edits can drastically improve the impact of your photos, leading to more dynamic imagery and better print results on mixed-media surfaces.

• Experiment with Multiple Programs: Back in the studio, you'll explore image manipulation using programs like Preview and MS Word, embracing the digital aspect of your artistry.

• Unexpected Outcomes with Printers and Scanners: Get ready for playful experimentation with your printer and scanner. These tools aren't just for office work; they're gateways to creative surprises in your art.

Exploring beyond the conventional… Dive into the world of innovative materials in this module, where we redefine what it means to print on surfaces.

• Discover the World of Unconventional Substrates: Unleash your creativity by exploring various non-traditional materials. Learn how different textures and compositions can transform the look and feel of your artwork.

• Experiment with Diverse Materials: This module encourages you to push the boundaries of conventional printing surfaces, from interfacing and art papers to unique mediums.

• Create Customized Printing Substrates: Gain hands-on experience crafting your own substrates that are not just bases for your art but integral parts of your creative expression.
  
  
• Learn Techniques for Effective Printing: Understand the nuances of printing on alternative substrates. This includes tips on preparing and treating different materials for optimal results.
  
  
• Expand Your Artistic Vocabulary: Each new substrate introduces a new language in your art. Learn how to 'speak' through these materials, conveying emotions and stories in ways traditional canvases can't.

Immerse yourself in the art of crafting ethereal and textured substrates in this innovative module.

• Craft Translucent and Textural Papers: Learn to create papers that are not just for printing but become integral parts of your collage art, offering a unique translucent quality that elevates the visual appeal of your prints.
  
  
• Explore Medium Lifts and Embedded Tissue Techniques: Discover the serendipitous art of medium lifts, a technique that economically mimics the effect of expensive art papers. Embed tissue into your substrates for a rich, textured effect that adds depth and character to your work.
  
  
• Experiment with Cheesecloth Substrates: Delve into the fascinating process of creating cheesecloth substrates. This method consistently amazes with its ability to astonish and captivate both the artist and the viewer.
  
  
• Develop Intuition and Artistic Voice: This module encourages you to embrace experimentation and trust your intuition. As you engage more deeply with these innovative techniques, your unique artistic voice will emerge more clearly and confidently.

Step into the dynamic world of collage creation in this module, where you’ll learn to craft substrates that bring a new dimension to your art.

• Create Colourful and Textural Collage Bases: Experiment with making collages that range from vibrant and perfect for black and white images to muted and textured, ideal for colourful prints. Explore my favourite methods for crafting these visually striking bases.

• Document Your Process for Future Layers: Remember to photograph your collages both as a reference and for use in the sneaky layering technique. This step is crucial for preserving the original look of your collages and for future artistic explorations.

• Experiment with Free and Over Collage Techniques: Discover the freedom of collage creation, starting with simple bases and evolving to more complex forms, including my latest discovery, the Over Collage technique. These methods will open up new avenues for creativity and expression in your artwork.

Dive into the technical yet creative process of preparing your substrates for printing in this essential module.

• Introduction to InkAid Digital Grounds: Gain an understanding of various digital pre-coats and how they enhance your substrates. We'll assess the substrates created so far and determine the most suitable grounds for each, ensuring your inkjet prints retain clarity, permanence, and resistance to fading and water.

• Essential Ground Application Techniques: Learn the art of applying digital grounds to ensure successful and permanent prints. This step is crucial in preparing your substrates for the printing process, as it affects the final quality and durability of your work.

• Guided Selection for Optimal Results: I'll share my experiences and insights on choosing suitable digital grounds for different substrates. This knowledge is key to achieving the best possible print results on your unique creations.

Discover the thrilling art of sneaky layering in this module, where digital meets physical in a dance of creativity.

• Connect Physical Substrates with Digital Imagery: Learn to blend images of your constructed substrates and mark-making surfaces to create unique layered photography. This process, which I call sneaky layering, allows you to combine your physical creations with collected imagery, resulting in astonishingly personal and unique digital art.
  
  
• Utilise 21st Century Blending Tools: Harness the power of blending apps and other digital programs to layer photographs with any mark made or created substrate. The joy in this module lies in the surprises and delights that emerge from these digital fusions.
  
  
• Create Your Own Sneaky Layered Images: Your main task in this module is to take your own images and the substrates you've created to blend them in unique ways. I encourage you to try each technique with the substrates from previous modules, fostering your creativity and expanding your digital art skills.

In this culminating module, we combine all that we've learned to print on the diverse substrates we've created throughout the course.

• Comprehensive Printing Preparation: Delve into the crucial steps before printing, including image tips, printing preparation, selecting the right printing size, and experimenting with settings. This foundational knowledge is key to successful printing outcomes.

• Master the Use of Carrier Sheets: Learn the best practices for using carrier sheets, which are essential for printing on various substrates. Understand the techniques for using masking tape, hinges, and fusible methods, which are especially effective for delicate tissue papers and medium lifts.

• Explore Full Bleed Printing Techniques: Discover how to create impactful full-bleed prints using Microsoft Word. This technique allows you to extend your images beyond the traditional borders, adding a professional and dynamic edge to your prints.

• Troubleshooting and Workarounds: Gain insights into solving common printer feeding issues. I'll share practical tasks and personal workarounds I've developed as a self-taught artist, ensuring you can overcome any printing challenges that arise.

• Bonus - Quick Freezer Paper Transfer: As a bonus, explore the quick freezer paper transfer technique, adding yet another tool to your printing arsenal.

In this module, we delve into the essential aspects of presenting and preserving your artwork, ensuring that your creations are visually stunning and enduring.

• Explore Creative Presentation Ideas: Discover various innovative ways to mount your printed works. This exploration of presentation is an extension of your creative process, allowing you to find the best way to showcase each unique piece.

• Learn Preservation Techniques: Understand the importance of preserving your prints. I'll introduce you to post-coating methods, including satin varnish and spray finishes, which protect your work and enhance longevity.

• Specialty Mediums and Accents: Experiment with adding specialty mediums to your art. This module includes guidance on creating your own specialty mediums and implementing painted edge treatments, adding unique finishing touches to your work.

• Hands-On Finishing Tasks: Put your new skills into practice by finishing and mounting several works. You'll learn how to use mats, cardstock, handmade paper, wood, canvas, hangers, and stretcher bars, giving you a range of options to find the perfect fit for each piece.