How To Host Your Own Paint Party [From Paint and Sip to Family Night]

Looking to shake things up and inject some creativity into your next social event? Look no further. Painting parties are versatile, affordable, and easy to set up, whether your group is meeting up in person or online. Even better, you don’t need Picasso-like art abilities to have a blast, create something unique, and make memories. 

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to host a paint night (or day) event. We’ll go over different ways to manage your event, painting ideas, art supplies you’ll need, and more. 

Step 1: Decide Where and How You’ll Host Your Paint Party 

First, you’ll need to pick a location (physical or virtual) that will give your guests the best experience. 

Virtual Paint Parties

Virtual paint parties bring all the best elements of a paint party into the comfort of your own home. They’re a perfect solution for physically distant groups, such as remote work teams or students, or families and friends who are social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They can also be handy if you don’t have a location that’s large enough for your group. 

At Painting to Gogh, we’ve made virtual paint parties even easier. Simply choose a painting, select the quantity, and each person will receive their kit in 1 to 5 business days. Have your group join your video call platform of choice (such as Zoom, Google Meet, or FaceTime), watch the artist-led tutorial, and start painting together. 

 

 

Hybrid Paint Parties

As the name suggests, a hybrid paint party involves a mixture of in-person guests and virtual attendees. This option is great because you can create an inclusive and exciting party experience for all your attendees, whether they can be there in person or not. 

Businesses can also benefit from hybrid paint parties. For example, if you’re hosting a team-building event, teammates who live near each other can paint in the same location, while work-from-home team members join the fun remotely. 

In-Person Paint Parties

Finally, you can host an in-person paint party that brings your group together under one roof. We expect this option to come roaring back as the COVID-19 pandemic slowly winds down and things return to normal. 

There are a few ways to approach this. You can purchase your own supplies, set up your indoor painting area, and follow an online video or hire an in-person instructor. Or, you can use a service to bundle all of this into one package, with art supplies and a guided tutorial everyone can watch, pause, and rewind at their own pace, like Painting to Gogh. 

Either way, having an in-person paint party where everybody can congregate, laugh, and relax is a great way to bid the pandemic goodbye.

Paint Party Ideas That Everyone Enjoys

Painting parties are tons of fun for every age group and skill level. Check out these event ideas.

Paint and Sip Parties at Home

Drink and draw, paint and pour, booze and brushes, wine and fine art — however you like to say it, paint and sip parties are more popular than ever. They’re a hit for girls night or date night, as well as a breath of fresh air to liven up corporate happy hours. Your guests can enjoy their beverage of choice at your in-person event or raise a glass from home. 

 

Recommended Reading: 8 Creative Art and Painting Activities for Adults 

 

Corporate Events and Team-Building Paint Parties

The data is in: Employees that socialize together are more productive, innovative, and happier with their job overall. Hosting a corporate painting event promotes your team’s well-being, helping them to de-stress and build relationships with one another. It can also act as a creativity booster and potentially spark new ideas as they’re working through a tough project. 

Family and Friend Paint Nights

Family and friend paint nights are a fantastic way to enjoy each other's company (and maybe discover some hidden artistic talent). Whatever the occasion, be it a unique send-off for a bride-to-be or much-needed quality time with the extended family, it’s a wonderful experience to invest in. 

Painting Date Nights for Couples

Fresh out of date night ideas? Couples love participating in paint nights because they can grow closer while doing something new and out of the ordinary together. There are even diptych-style paintings, like our Cheers art piece. Each person paints on their own canvas and you display them side by side to form one complete painting. Add in your favorite alcoholic beverages or snacks for an extra special evening. 

 

Recommended Reading: How to Have an Epic Bachelorette Paint Party (Supplies, Ideas, and More)

 

Kids and Birthday Party Painting Events 

Children love to express their inner artists through paint, although sometimes it’s on the living room wall or dining table. Instead, give your kids a canvas for their next birthday party or play date. Whether they like to color in the lines or go a little wild, there are tons of kid-friendly painting tutorials for ages 6 and up to choose from.

 

Step 2: Choose the Perfect Painting for You and Your Party Guests 

Once you’ve decided on your location and event style, now come the big questions: Which paint medium will you use, and what are you going to paint? 

For the most success, cater to your participants’ skills levels. After all, the last time some of your guests picked up a paint brush may have been the third grade! On the other hand, you may have a group of art aficionados on your guest list. Here are some quick tips. 

Choosing the Right Medium

We generally recommend using acrylic paint because it’s one of the easiest mediums for beginners. It’s bright, inexpensive, quick-drying, and can be used on a variety of surfaces. 

Choosing the Right Painting

When choosing the ideal painting for groups, it’s best to stick to simple color schemes. Look for tutorials that mostly feature primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and straightforward color-blending techniques. Celestial Dance is a great example — you don’t need much to create an exciting piece.

Another tip: The best pieces for paint parties are creatively rewarding, but not necessarily photorealistic. You want your guests to stretch their creative muscles and socialize, not bend over backwards trying to paint a convincing hand. Take our Majestic Peacock piece for example. It’s simplified so anyone can capture the bird’s beauty or create their own interpretation. 

Here are some other considerations:

• Does your event have a theme or goal?
• Is it a particular season?
• What age is the painting party for?
• Are your friends or colleagues more capable than beginners?

Beginner Painting Courses We Recommend Checking Out

Get inspired with these painting kits for all levels. 

1) Starry Night Painting Tutorial and Kit 

Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night is one of the most recognizable pieces of art in the world and sure to be a hit with your guests. It depicts the view from van Gogh's window at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence just before sunrise, painted with his iconic swirling brushstrokes and bold colors. 

2) Brilliant Butterfly Painting Tutorial and Kit

The Brilliant Butterfly is an ideal choice for nature lovers and beginner artists alike. With a soft, blurred background, contrasting colors, and rounded shapes, this butterfly is a cheerful addition to your art wall. 

3) Cheers Painting Tutorial and Kit

Whether you see friends reuniting, a date night going well, or a celebration of libations, the Cheers painting is a crowd-pleaser. Immortalize wine and beer with this memorable design. 

4) Space Explorer Painting Tutorial and Kit

Blast off to the stars with Space Explorer, a fun and easy painting of an astronaut, perfect for space enthusiasts of any age. This tutorial comes with something special: As you follow along, you’ll learn how to hide your own secret message in the constellation. 

5) Woodland Glade Painting Tutorial and Kit

The Woodland Glade piece depicts a relaxing scene of birch trees and wildflowers in the spring or summertime. The unique color palette and simple shapes bring a breath of fresh air into any space.

Find a Painting Instructor or Tutorial to Guide Everyone

You’ll want to choose an instructor or tutorial that offers clear instructions and speaks at a pace that’s easy for everyone to follow. Video tutorials are particularly helpful because the host can pause and go back if anyone needs to see a step or technique again. 

Want to see it in action? Here’s an example of a painting tutorial for your at-home or in-office paint party:

 

Step 3: Gather These Paint Party Materials For You and Your Guests 

Ready to get painting? Here’s a list of the art supplies you’ll need for each participant. 

Main Acrylic Painting Supplies

Acrylic paints are easy to work with and especially useful if you have a group of painters with different skill levels. You can create most paint colors and a wide range of art with five basic colors: red, yellow, blue, white, and black. Look for non-toxic, highly rated paints, and grab a water cup for cleaning your brush. 

Acrylic Brushes

There are eight different types of acrylic paint brushes, but you don’t need them all when getting started. The Round 1, Round 6, Filbert 8, and Flat 12 let you execute most acrylic painting techniques. (All of these are included in our Studio boxes.) We recommend synthetic brushes because they last longer. 

Canvases

If you’re using acrylic paints, opt for canvas panels instead of paper. It’s harder to blend acrylics on paper, and the paint can quickly warp the paper. Canvas fibers are strong and can stand up to acrylics, giving you brighter, more vivid paint colors. 

Easels

An easel is essential for holding your canvas in a stable, upright position so you can paint comfortably and get the best results. You can find easels made for painting in a standing or sitting position, as well as tabletop easels. 

Aprons

Aprons are handy for preventing paint stains and protecting against spills, especially during a paint and sip party. We recommend wearing clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, like an old t-shirt. 

Paint Palettes

A paint palette allows you to conveniently access and mix colors as you paint, rather than squeezing it out of the tube each time. They’re typically made of paper or wood. Alternatively, use a paper plate.

Other Supplies To Consider For Your Paint Night Party

It’s a good idea to set up and stock up on the following items as well. 

Tables

Make sure you have tables handy to put your guests’ easels on, give their canvases the right height, and organize their supplies. An added bonus: They’ve got somewhere to rest their wine glass between sips as they create their masterpieces.

Paper Towels, Table Covers, or Drop Cloths

Paper towels, table covers, and painting drop-cloths are a lifesaver, particularly if you’re painting in someone’s home. Cover your tables to make clean-up a breeze and have plenty of paper towels on hand. 

Hair Dryer or Fans

We recommend having fans or hair dryers for a couple reasons. First, they help paintings to dry quicker, allowing everyone to proceed to the next step and finish the event in a timely manner. Second, it improves air circulation and prevents paint odors or fumes from building up. 

Food and Drink Options

It’s always nice to offer your party guests some snacks and drinks. And of course, if you’re hosting a paint and pour night, bring a variety of alcoholic beverages. Depending on the type of event — corporate meet-up, date night, etc — you could offer lunch or dinner options.

Step 4: Set a Date and Time, and Then Invite Your Guests

Next, coordinate a date and time with your guests and give them ample notice to make space on their calendars. 

Painting tutorials can easily take 1 to 2 hours to complete depending on your group’s pace. Our suggestion: Add 30 minutes to the tutorial’s estimated time to allow for pauses, rewinding, eating/drinking, and socializing. 

Step 5: Set Up Your Paint Night Event

Follow these best practices to make sure your event runs smoothly.

In-person painting party 

• Purchase or order any food or drink ahead of time so it’s ready for the event. 
• If you’re following a virtual painting tutorial, set up your computer(s) or devices and test the video and internet connection beforehand. 
• If you’re ordering paint party kits from a vendor, place your order at least a week before the event so there’s time for shipping. 
• Set up stations with art supplies for each person, including paint, brushes, canvases, easels, palettes, water cups, paper towels, aprons, and instructions. 

Virtual painting party 

• If you’re ordering paint party kits from a vendor, place your order at least a week before the event so there’s time for shipping. 
• Have your participants download and/or test any software they’ll need, like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. 
• Send any important links to your participants in advance via email, a calendar invite, etc. 

Step 6: Have Fun and Take Photos

The preparation is done — now it’s time to have fun! Make sure to snap plenty of pictures and record video of everyone’s masterworks (or mishaps). 

If it’s a team-building event, you can share the best pictures in a work email or via social media afterward. 

Pricing Out Your Paint Party 

How much a painting party costs depends on a number of factors, including which materials you already own and the number of guests you’ll invite. Most resources suggest planning to spend $25 to $50 per person, but the cost will be higher if you’re starting from scratch. Remember to budget for any food or alcohol as well. 

Some paint party companies offer discounts when you order a high volume of kits, like for a corporate event. 

Hosting Your Own Paint Party Is Easy With Painting to Gogh

Painting to Gogh makes hosting your own social painting event a piece of cake! Our packages accommodate all of the scenarios we’ve covered in this post, with video tutorials taught by real artists for your in-person, hybrid, or virtual painting party. 

Receive all the materials and guidance you need and walk away with unique memories and artwork that lasts forever. Choose your painting now to get started!