Dino-artist sets the stage for a playful and not-too-serious night of painting.
Paint and Sip Party Hosting Tips: Easy Theme Ideas
A paint and sip party is a party theme that’s fun for all ages, including adults! Seated around a big table with adult beverages, paint supplies, and a canvas- even introverts can enjoy this fun party idea that takes some of the stress out of post-pandemic social engagements via a shared activity.
Hosting a paint and sip party for adults is fun and easy with my guide. These paint-party tips ideas came through my experience hosting these parties twice a year as official events for adults when I worked for a local community center.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What a paint and sip party is, (and what it is not!)
- A 6 step guide to hosting a paint and sip party for adults in your home.
- A shopping list for everything you’ll need for a smooth painting party with no snags.
- Finally, some paint and sip party ideas – including a few I guarantee you won’t find in other guides to hosting a paint and sip party.
Keep reading for a guide to hosting your own paint and sip party to create a fun party with memorable DIY party favors!
First, What’s a Sip and Paint Party?
Paint and sip parties are group events, hosted in someone’s home or sometimes an art studio, that involves a group of people painting together, usually painting variations of the same image. Unlike painting parties geared towards kids, paint and sips parties for adults often include sipping on some adult beverages while painting.
A Paint and Sip party is not a competition or an art class, emphasize this during the planning and inviting phase in order to welcome self-conscious painters.
Paint and sip parties are perfect for a post-pandemic get-together. While we’re all readjusting to social gatherings, painting parties give partygoers something to do with their hands and freedom from the conversational pressure that often accompanies parties.
Sometimes the finished paintings are treasured and other times they head straight to the trash bin- both are ok! At a paint and sip party, the emphasis is on enjoying a creative activity together, not on the result.
Virtual Paint and Sip Parties
Paint and sip parties can be hosted in-person or streamed via video. It is even possible to host a virtual paint party if your guests are spread out around the world. (If you go this route, remember everyone will have to purchase their own supplies or you’ll need to send a package of supplies a week or more in advance).
6 Easy Steps to Host a Great Paint and Sip party
Hosting any party can be a challenge, and paint and sip parties require more than the average amount of prep to go smoothly. Often, however, the effort will pay off, as people talk about your paint and sip party for months afterward (my first Bob Ross Paint Party theme was so successful the first time I did it, I was begged to do another later that same year!)
Follow these simple steps to host a paint and sip party for adults to ensure your event is unforgettable.
1. Plan the Party Essentials: When, Where, How
Like any party, a paint party involves a lot of details. It’s important to establish the basic party details like date, time, location, and guest list early on, so you can buy enough supplies for everyone.
You should also select a theme and/or inspiration painting early in the planning stages. This will help you figure out what paint colors to purchase and what supplies you’ll need to have on hand. (More on picking a paint-along theme later!)
2. Invite your guests
What good is a paint and sip party without guest-artists? Whether you choose an e-vite, Facebook event, paper invitation, or even group chat, make sure to give your guests plenty of notice.
HINT: Remind guests to wear clothes they are okay with getting messy; paint doesn’t always stay on the canvas even when only adults are on the guest list.
3. Gather Painting Supplies
Paint and sip parties need two key things: something to paint with and something to sip. We’ll talk about paint supplies a little later.
There are a few options when it comes to sips. Wine is a classic choice that’s always fashionable. Alternately, considering the party vibes rolling by serving hard seltzers. If you’re doing a bridal shower paint and sip party, champagne punch is a great choice. (jump to the painting essentials supply list)
HINT: Trust me on this, USE CUPS WITH LIDS. There’s a reason artists constantly joke about drinking paint-water. It happens all the time. With lids on your drinking cups, though, you can be sure that no one will accidentally gulp down a swig of diluted paint!
4. Set up your party space
You chose a theme. You gathered supplies. Guests are nearly on their way. It’s time to set up the party space!
- First, cover your table(s) with drop cloths or plastic tablecloths.
- Then, set up each artist’s space with a canvas, paintbrushes, a glass of water, a palette, a cup (with lid!) to drink out of, and a few paper towels for spills and drying paint brushes.
- Spread the paint tubes you have purchased out across the center of the table for your artists to fill their palettes with.
Some paint parties allow guests to follow along with an artist painting the same picture. If this is the case, ensure the setup allows every guest to get a good view of the example. If you have a live demonstrator, set up their canvas and space with the same supplies as each place setting. If you are following a video, set up a large screen everyone can see.
Pro tip: It’s a good idea to load up the video and pause it at the beginning, so you don’t have to scramble to find it while your guests wait.
Create a Paint Water Dump/Refill Station
One of the best tips I have for keeping your painting party flowing without too many pauses (and to keep paint out of your kitchen sink until you’re ready for clean-up) is to set up two large 5-gallon buckets in a convenient corner of the party. Fill one with clean water and leave the other empty.
As your guests’ individual water cups get too pigmented to be good for rinsing, they can dump the dirty water in the empty bucket and refill from the clean bucket- easy peasy, super-fast, and much easier to clean up afterward!
Dino-artist sets the stage for a playful and not-too-serious night of painting.
5. Prepare Drinks
Once your paint-along setup is ready, you can set up your “sips”. Make your drinks easily accessible to guests. Have cups with lids at the ready- it may not be trendy to drink rose out of a tumbler, but thee are unique circumstances!
If your guest list is large, a great way to ensure everyone can get a sip of what they’d like is to set up a drink bar. With a self-serve bar, guests can choose what they’re sipping and customize it to their own taste. If some drinks will require tools like a corkscrew or bottle opener, have one ready.
Always have a non-alcoholic option available for those who’d prefer not to drink but who may not be comfortable asking for an alternate beverage.
Finally, music is a good option to set the ambiance. If you’ve picked a theme, make it stronger with themed music. A coastal theme could benefit from beach tunes, while a sophisticated theme could involve red wine and Mozart.
Help partygoers relax and enjoy painting by emphasizing that it’s ok to make mistakes or not paint well- making art together- even bad art– is the only point of the party!
Use Downloadable PDF Painting Instructions
If you’re looking to host a sip and paint party for true beginners, using downloadable PDF painting instructions is a great idea. This way, everyone has the same guidance to start with, and it can feel less intimidating for beginners as you provide step-by-step instructions.
Feeling Nifty has two different PDF painting instructions available, including:
Sunset Cityscape
Whether you live in New York or are just a fan of big metropolis cityscapes, ordering a PDF workbook for painting a Sunset Cityscape is a great way to paint an awe-inspiring picture. This PDF includes tips for hosting a paint party, a high-resolution image of the finished artwork, and step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow.
This workbook is great for hosting a paint and sip party, as it provides instructors with everything they need to teach the group to paint.
All you need to do is pick up the supplies for your group. The finished artwork is on a 10 x 10 canvas and requires only five colors. Once the painting is complete, this cityscape will be ready to hang on any wall.
Cherry Blossom Tree Painting
Create a gorgeous cherry blossom tree painting with Feeling Nifty’s comprehensive instructions, available in PDF format. All ages and skill levels can enjoy painting this lovely tree and afterward, they’ll have a keepsake to hang in their living room, bedroom, or office.
The tutorial is delivered instantly, as soon as you place your order. This project uses only three basic colors: white, black, and red. Interestingly, you’ll utilize cotton swabs when painting the cherry blossom tree, making it fun for young children.
With the PDF, you’ll receive tips for hosting a party using the cherry blossom painting, full step-by-step instructions (with large pictures to follow along), as well as bonus tips and steps.
Use a Paint-by-Number
If you’re looking for a little more guidance, consider purchasing an adult paint-by-number. These canvases will come with all of the necessary outlines as well as a number that lets you know what color each section should be.
Paint-by-numbers are a great choice if you have some nervous artists in your group. Beginners love paint-by-number sets. They’ll feel comforted by guidelines given to them by the preset colors and guide on how to apply them. This support can guide them to easy success and make them feel more confident for the next sip and paint party.
Adult paint-by-numbers really take all the pressure off the non-artists in your group. Everyone will have an equal chance to make a stunning piece of art without someone leading the party. If you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere where you don’t have to guide everyone through each step of the process, a paint-by-number might be the perfect choice for you.
You can purchase paint-by-number kits, like this one, or you might feel inclined to make your own. If you’re an artistic person, you can draw the outline of the desired shape on the canvas and give each section a number that’ll correspond with a different color of paint. This post walks you through how to make a DIY paint by numbers. Having one that you’ve already completed can be a great visual guide as well as your guests begin painting in your design.
Pre-Drawn Canvas Painting Kits
Another idea for beginners is a pre-drawn canvas. For some, these may be easier to complete than paint-by-numbers because they don’t take as long.
Pre-drawn canvases make it easier to paint an image. If you like the idea of using a pre-drawn canvas, you might also consider a pre-drawn canvas painting kit, like these ones, or this paint party pre-drawn kit. Painting kits include a pre-drawn canvas, necessary brushes, required paints, as well as added bonuses like painting aprons, disposable easels, and mixing palettes.
Purchasing painting kits can be a great idea for small events. If it’s just you and your partner having a romantic evening, these packages will get you just what you need without having to spend extra on large containers of paint.
Use a Blank Canvas
If you’re looking for a more advanced sip and paint experience, you might want to choose blank canvases for you and your guests. There are limitless possibilities you can do with a blank canvas, and using these are ideal if you have experienced or creative guests you’ll be painting with.
If you feel confident, you may choose to lead your guests through the painting experience, much like if you attended a sip and paint event at a studio. You have the freedom to choose a design that would be fun for you and your guests.
Whether you choose a landscape, an animal, a flower, or something else in your imagination, it’s important you’re able to deliver the instructions in bite-sized pieces. Your instructions will keep everyone on the same page and will make sure no one gets lost or frustrated.
If you’re not sure where to start, there are endless tutorials you can access on YouTube. You can use these at your event, pushing play and letting everyone follow along with the artist in the video. Or, if you’re feeling confident, you can watch a tutorial to get the hang of the painting and deliver the instructions live on your own.
To help you get started, here are a few top sip and paint tutorials from YouTube that might be perfect for your event.
Paint a Mermaid Tutorial
If you want to paint a beautiful mermaid ocean scene, complete with a moonlit starry sky, this tutorial is for you. This full-length tutorial is designed for all levels and goes beyond the basics. It’ll give you the techniques you need to make your painting reach the next level.
In this video, you’ll learn how to make the moon and stars glow and accurately reflect on the water below as well as in the mermaid’s hair. You’ll be able to paint a beautiful, colorful seascape as well as a detailed mermaid in the foreground.
This is the perfect tutorial for a whimsical sip and paint evening. If you have friends that are looking to learn some new painting skills and make a beautifully colorful piece without getting lost, this is the perfect tutorial for you. You can find the full-length tutorial here on this YouTube video:
