Limited Time Only! Pre-Order Special — Save 25%! Embellishing Canvas Prints Masterclass
Currently In Production!
Karen Sperling’s
The Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass
get the inside scoop on acrylic and oil techniques
to create one-of-a-kind hand-painted canvas prints!
No Prior Painting Experience Required!
This was a commissioned portrait based on a photo. I painted the portrait in Corel Painter, printed to canvas, then painted the printed canvas with acrylics. The client loved the result:
5 out of 5 stars
“We absolutely loved our painting! Karen (the artist) was extremely helpful and dedicated. She contacted us every step of the way to show us the progress and for approval and suggestions. She was at all times very willing to work with us to make the perfect painting. The results were amazing. We highly recommend her for your dog portrait!”
The Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass at a Glance
Who: Photographers, hobbyists and artists — anyone who wants to learn to paint with acrylics and/or oils on canvas prints. (Not for teacher use.)
What: Step-by-step instructional videos in three levels: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.
How it Works: Follow along with provided digital files. You'll paint directly onto canvas prints ordered at a discoam my recommended Print Partner.
When: Videos are released as they are created during the production phase. All videos are expected to be available spring 2026.
Where: Self-paced online access at karensperling.com.
Why: Feedback from Early Supporters:
Karen Sperling Is the Absolute Best!
I am very excited about the opportunity to learn even more from Karen Sperling. She is the acknowledged expert in digital painting in Photoshop and Corel Painter. I am a member of her Artistry Academy of Painting for Photographers, and she has helped me immensely in the use of both programs. As a portrait photographer, I am always seeking ways to improve my skills and add more to my business offerings. Learning to hand embellish my canvas portraits from Karen will be a GIANT step for me. She is the absolute BEST in expertise, professionalism, and teaching skills. What an opportunity! Bob Harper Hampton Virginia
Would Rather Learn from Karen Sperling
Over the last few years I've had some success using Corel Painter to turn my photographs into digital paintings. I'm no expert but everything I know I learned from Karen Sperling in her books, videos and the material in her Artistry Academy of Painting for Photographers. I've also printed some of my digital paintings to canvas and been generally rather pleased with the outcome. When Karen announced that she'd be teaching a new class on how to paint over printed canvas paintings, I thought it was a natural fit and the next step in turning photographs into tangible art. And I can't imagine anyone I'd rather learn it from than Karen.
Believes Embellishing Prints Will Lead to Income
I have been following and taking lessons from Karen for several years. Here’s why. I appreciate the way Karen teaches: she honors and supports the type of art I do, (most of my work is abstract), despite our artistic differences, she seems to become artistically and emotionally involved in my work, and her artistic suggestions help me to grow as an artist. I am particularly drawn to this class for a couple reasons. First, I want to have an utterly original piece of art. That’s what happens when we add paint and/or texture on top of our canvas prints. Sure, what we do as digital artists creates an original work. But the work can be reproduced; so it’s not quite unique. Second, I miss the tactile experience I get when I create just one piece of art. I worked in pastel previously and look forward to learning more about acrylic or oil. I’ve thought about augmenting my canvas prints for some years but didn’t know where to start. In the class Karen is planning I expect to enjoy both the experience of hands-on creation and the extra money I can make by selling an original piece of art. Finally, there are some things that I find difficult to do with digital art, such as the look of a deep impasto-like texture, that I am anxious to try in the new medium. I’m excited about the upcoming class. I’m sure it will be everything I hope it to be. In my experience, if something about the class isn’t working...Karen will find a different way to approach the subject so that it does work. That’s just how she teaches. S. Nesbit, Oro Valley, AZ
Pre-order Specials
Pre-Order Discount: Save 25% off the full tuition.
Secure your spot at the discounted rate while the Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass is in production.
Member Bonus: Artistry Academy members save an additional 25%. Join the Artistry Academy here and get in on the extra 25% savings.
The Live Bonus: All who pre-order get free access to a live Feedback & Demo Webinar ($69 value).
Pre-Order Bonuses & Savings
Both Artistry Academy Members and Non-Members
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FREE Feedback and Demo Webinar ($69 value)
Artistry Academy Non-Members
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Save 25% on single section tuition=$37.25 savings
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Save 25% on the 3-Section Bundle=$94.99 savings
Artistry Academy Members
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Additional 25% off single section tuition=$65.19 total savings (off full price)
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Additional 25% off the 3-Section Bundle=$166.23 total savings (off full price)
Click here to join the Artistry Academy and unlock the higher discount.
Reserve Your Pre-Order Spot Now! Learn to add the personal touch to your canvas prints with traditional enhancements!
Yes! I’d like to join the Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass!
General Admission
Artistry Academy Members
Thank you for your order!
You have successfully secured your spot in the
Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass Pre-Order!
The Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass: Overview
Transform Prints into Originals
Learn to enhance your digital art or photography canvas prints with hand-painted traditional acrylic and/or oil strokes that transform your paintings into unique, one-of-a-kind artwork.
Why Embellish Your Prints Now?
In a world filled with AI-generated art and digital filters, the value of the physical, hand-painted original has never been higher. Whether you work in Procreate, Corel Painter, Photoshop, AI, or digital photography, your art starts as a digital file—but it doesn't have to stay that way.
This technique is the bridge between the digital world and the traditional studio.
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For the Professional: Transform a reproducible print into a high-value, one-of-a-kind original. Create a unique painting that commands gallery prices and stands out in a crowded market.
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For the Hobbyist: Experience the tactile joy of painting and turn flat prints into three-dimensional art with texture and depth—perfect for unique gifts or your own walls.
The Personal Touch in a Digital Age
By embellishing your canvas prints, you’re adding a personal touch to your work. The print from the digital file becomes just the first step. Add the timeless beauty of traditional paint to create something that simply cannot be replicated by a computer.
Watch a client, Theresa Porter, receive her commissioned portrait, based on her photo. It was created using the exact method taught in this class: A digital painting printed on canvas, then overpainted with oils.
A Proven, Step-by-Step Roadmap
This course isn’t just a demo—it’s a structured progression. We move from a simple introduction to materials and clear acrylic texture (Beginner) to acrylic glazing and opaque paint (Intermediate) and finally to enhancing with luminous oil glazes and solid colors (Advanced).
Learn the "Why," Not Just the "How"
In the class videos, we look at how the tools work and how to paint with them so you can apply the know-how to your own paintings. The course includes art lessons covering color theory, tones and composition to guide you.
You’ll learn how to paint to enhance the canvas print, not completely cover it up. The classes apply to all subjects and styles.
Course Structure: From Texture to Depth
The Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass is divided into three sections: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. For each level, I provide high-resolution digital files and my Master-vetted printer recommendation so you can order class-discounted canvas prints to paint along with the videos.
1. Beginner
Clear Acrylic Painting
The Foundation of Texture
Painting with clear acrylics on a canvas print of a digital painting.
In this section, you'll learn to paint clear acrylic strokes on printed canvas.
Many photographers, hobbyists and artists stick to just this step because clear brushstrokes alone begin to transform the painting into a unique work of art with added significant value.
You can keep going and add glazing (tinting) and opaque brushstrokes with acrylics, which are covered in the intermediate section.
Even if you want to move straight to color, this is the essential starting point to protect the canvas before adding acrylics glazing and color, or oils.
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Mediums and Brushes: Learn how different acrylic mediums produce different results and which brushes to choose. Do you like glossy (shiny) brushstrokes or a more subdued (matte) finish? Do thick strokes sound interesting or do you want to stick to a smoother look? We go over all the ways to accomplish these various choices.
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Applying Texture: Complete step-by-step demonstrations showing the painting workflow from a canvas print to a finished, textured painting.
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The Goal: Master adding physical dimension and texture to your prints with clear acrylics brushstrokes.
Mediums and brushes photos by Karen Sperling.
printing partner
2. Intermediate:
Acrylic glazing and Solid Colors
Adding Tint and Accents
This level is for those who want to go beyond clear texture and start introducing color with acrylics to their canvas prints for even more unique touches.
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Glazing Techniques: How to tint the canvas with glazes, including which colors and acrylics mediums to mix.
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Opaque Painting: How to use solid acrylic colors for accents and enhancements.
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Balancing the Print: Examples of how much to let the print show through versus how much to paint over.
Learning to paint on print canvas in an in-person Artistry Retreat.
3. Advanced:
Oil Glazing and Solid Colors
The Ultimate Finish
Painting with oil glaze on a paper print of a digital painting mounted on masonite.
Adding oil glazes and opaque colors takes a canvas print to the next level. If you feel intimidated by oils, don't be—we’ll go over the materials and techniques together until you’re comfortable.
Jewel-Like Color: Learn traditional glazing with oils to give your digital prints a luminous depth that ink alone can never achieve.
Accelerated Drying Secrets: Insider tips for quick-drying oils—essential if you are on a deadline for commissions or exhibits and need to ship your work sooner.
The Finished Original: Step-by-step workflow for combining oils and acrylics for a high-end, gallery-style result that's profitable for professionals and a ton of fun for hobbyists.
Bonus Material: Art Lessons Included at Every Level
You won't just learn where to put the paint. Throughout the Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass, you’ll learn color theory, composition and tonal techniques. These art concepts act as a compass to guide your creative decisions at each stage of your painting.
Why Videos Make Embellishing Easy & Accessible
The Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass brings decades of expertise straight to your home or studio without the travel or the hassle.
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Learn at Home, on Your Time: Skip the expensive travel and hotel fees of in-person workshops. Pause, rewatch and study every stroke up close without fear of missing details that fly by in live demos.
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The Front-Row View: Unlike an in-person workshop where you might struggle to see over a shoulder, these high-quality videos give you a clear, close-up view of every single brushstroke and glaze application.
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Lifetime Access: In-person classes end as soon as they're over. Your video lessons provide lifetime access, so the information is always there when you need it.
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Personal Feedback: Those who preorder get free access to a live critique and demo webinar, so you still get the personal guidance of an in-person class, from the comfort of your home or studio.
The Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass is your shortcut to creating beautiful, gallery-quality, hand-embellished canvases based on prints from any software, AI, or photograph—no prior painting experience required.
I painted this painting (above) in Corel Painter based on a photo by Don Ling. I had it printed and I embellished the printed canvas with acrylics and oils (top).
Meet Your Instructor
Karen Sperling demonstrating embellishing printed canvas live at an in-person Artistry Retreat.
I've been teaching how to embellish canvas prints with acrylics and oils as part of my in-person Artistry Retreat classes for decades. Meanwhile, I wrote the original Corel Painter manuals when the software debuted over 30 years ago and have taught it and painted with it ever since. I have also written several published books about it.
A Lifetime of Art & Tech
From Tradition to Exhibition
I have been painting with oils, acrylics, watercolors and pastels since childhood with my mother, who was an artist. This foundation led me to paint commissioned digital art and embellished canvas prints for clients and photographers worldwide. I have also painted commissioned paintings with traditional oils or pastels. My embellished canvas prints of my digital abstracts have even been exhibited in New York, Los Angeles and during Art Basel Miami Beach.
Karen Sperling with her abstract art during Art Basel Miami Beach. She painted the art in Corel Painter, printed it to canvas and then embellished the canvas with acrylics.
Helping You Find Your Unique Voice
I teach canvas print embellishing by showing you art theories and techniques that you can select from for your own painting. I don't say, "you must paint this way." I show the methods so that you can use them to develop your own style, not paint like me. It's always exciting to see students creating art in their own painting voice.
Pre-Order Special — Limited Time!
You’re invited to secure your spot in the Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass by joining the Pre-Order Phase.
This is the same successful approach I used to launch my Painting for Photographers books and the Artistry Academy online school. By pre-ordering while the course is currently in production, you receive significant savings and bonuses that won't be offered once the Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass is fully released.
Enrolling now works just like an in-person class: you secure your spot today, and you will receive the instructional modules as they are completed and released between now and spring 2026.
Why Enroll During the Pre-Order Phase?
Join now while the Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass is in production to lock in these exclusive benefits:
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Pre-Order Pricing: Save 25% off the full tuition price. Artistry Academy members get an additional 25% off this pre-order price.
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Free Live Critique Webinar: A $69 value. After you've viewed the videos and started painting, you can upload your work for a live Zoom feedback session.
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Personal Input: Is there a specific topic, style or technique you're particularly interested in? Get in at this pre-order stage and help to shape what you learn in the Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass.
Release Schedule
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Now in Production: Lessons are being filmed and edited in the studio.
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Ongoing: Lessons will be released in order as they are completed.
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Spring 2026: The complete course (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) is expected to be fully available.
Pre-Order Pricing
Enroll now while the Masterclass is in production to secure these rates. The price will increase to full tuition as soon as all three sections are fully released.
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Single Section: $111.75 (Regularly $149)
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Full Bundle (Best Value): Save an additional 15% when you buy all three sections together.
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Artistry Academy Members: Save an additional 25% on top of these prices as a thank you for your support. [Join the Academy here to unlock these savings.]
This is a canvas print I embellished with oils based on a photo by Don Ling (top). I painted a digital painting in Corel Painter and had it printed (above).
This was a fun outcome.
I had taken the embellished canvas to a local high-end French restaurant for display to get commissioned painting clients.
Someone saw it and loved it so much, he bought it on the spot!
Yes! I’d like to join the Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass!
Reserve your spot now during the Pre-Order phase and be among the first to master the art of the hand-painted print.
Pre-Order Bonuses & Savings
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25% Discount included in your cart today.
-
FREE Feedback & Demo Webinar ($69 value)
-
Member Bonus: Artistry Academy members get an additional 25% savings.
Click here to join the Artistry Academy and unlock the higher member discount!
General Admission
Artistry Academy Members
Thank you for your order!
You have successfully secured your spot in the
Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass Pre-Order!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I know the Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass videos will be created?
Q. Who is the Artistry Print to Paint course for?
Q. Why add traditional paint to canvas prints?
A. This project is already officially greenlit and in production! I have a proven track record of success using this same pre-order approach to launch my Painting for Photographers books and the Artistry Academy online school. Just like those previous projects, I am currently in the studio creating the Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass videos and releasing them as they are finished.
A. This class is for: • Photographers: Learn how to enhance your photo or digital image prints with traditional acrylic and oil techniques. • Digital artists: Find out how to add three dimensional brushstrokes with traditional paint to your printed canvases. • Hobbyists: Follow a beginner-friendly step-by-step approach to embellishing image prints without years of art school. (Please note: This course is not for teacher use.)
A. As digital imagery becomes more prevalent, hand-embellishing a printed canvas does two things. For creators: It adds your own personal creative touch not available with digital tools alone. For sales or gifts: The three dimensionality of traditional brushstrokes elevates the canvas print into a unique, one-of-a-kind original. This adds significant market value for customers and an emotional resonance for those receiving it as a gift.
Q. My lab does the embellishing, so I don't have to.
A. While that may be true, the real magic happens when you do it yourself. Embellishing canvas prints is not only great fun and easier than you might think, but also gives your work something your lab can't supply, namely your own personal, unique touch. Clients notice when a print is painted by hand, raising the print's value as a one-of-a-kind painting. In my video classes, I'll show you everything from the simplest to the most complex embellishing techniques, and you can pick and choose the ones that fit your style. I teach how to paint like you, not me. Plus, learning online is a lot less of a financial and time commitment than traveling to an in-person class, so you can start creating unique, elevated prints right away.
Q. Which software should I use for the digital painting?
A. You can use any software—including AI—or even straight photography. The concepts for painting on canvas prints are based on traditional art and color theory and apply regardless of how the printed image was created.
Q. What subjects can this be applied to?
A. Anything! People portraits, pet portraits, landscapes, florals, wildlife, seascapes, still lifes and abstracts. Whatever you like to paint digitally can be printed out and embellished with acrylics and/or oils to created unique, one-of-a-kind artwork.
Q. I'm not sure which print to paint in the class. Can I still join?
A. Absolutely! I'll provide the digital images for you to print and practice with. In my decades of teaching, I have found it's easier when everyone in the class works on the same image so you can compare apples and apples between what I show and what you come up with. Then you can use what you learn on your own images outside of class.
Q. What if I don't have a printer to print the files?
A. No problem! I am currently performing a quality audit of several top fine-art labs to select the exclusive print partner for this course. I will announce the official printer and provide you with your exclusive student discount code before the first videos release mid-March. You’ll be able to send the class files directly to our recommended lab so you can get canvas prints and follow along with my lessons stroke-for-stroke.
Q. What if I have never painted with oils or acrylics before?
A. The Artistry Print to Paint class includes art lessons and step-by-step instructions. No prior painting experience is required.
Q. What if I have no talent?
A. I believe talent is an overrated word. I believe if you have an interest in something, you can learn to develop it into a passion. I started out with an interest in painting and with study and practice, I learned to do it. And if I can do it, you can.
Q. Can I progress at my own pace while learning to paint?
A. Absolutely. You can progress through the videos as quickly or slowly as you like.
Q. What if I have never painted with oils or acrylics before?
A. The Artistry Print to Paint class includes art lessons and step-by-step instructions. No prior painting experience is required.
Q. When do I get access to the video lessons?
Q. When will all the videos in the course be available?
A. Lessons are being released in order as they are created in the studio. You will receive access to the videos as they are finished.
A. All videos are expected to be completed and available by spring 2026.
Digital painting in Corel Painter by Karen Sperling based on a client-submitted photo (above).
The painting was printed to canvas and then I hand painted on the printed canvas with acrylics and oils (top).
Client Review
I attended an in-person Artistry Retreat taught by Karen Sperling and she is an amazing teacher. Her class was organized, relaxed and thorough. I went from a total novice to being able to create wonderful paintings from my photographs.
However, when my granddaughters were to be flower girls at my son's wedding, I knew I had to go to the Master to get stunning results.
Karen Sperling has surpassed all expectations!
She sorted through all of the wedding photos and chose two. We discussed (via email) which to use and the basic look I was hoping for.
The result is a treasured portrait that will make me smile for the rest of my life.
I have a picture of the portrait on my cell phone and share it with everybody I see!
I highly recommend Karen's work—you will not be disappointed.
In addition to being a very talented painter, she is also a very nice lady.
Carolyn Johnson
Yes! I’d like to join the Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass!
Reserve your spot now during the Pre-Order phase and be among the first to master the art of the hand-painted print.
Pre-Order Bonuses & Savings
-
25% Discount included in your cart today.
-
FREE Feedback & Demo Webinar ($69 value)
-
Member Bonus: Artistry Academy members get an additional 25% savings.
Click here to join the Artistry Academy and unlock the higher member discount!
General Admission
Artistry Academy Members
Thank you for your order!
You have successfully secured your spot in the
Artistry Print to Paint Masterclass Pre-Order!