Paint and sip parties have always been a great way to spend a girl’s night out, but did you know that they can also be a great way to spend a girl’s night in? According to Pinterest, searches for these art-themed parties are on the rise with no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Only now, pinners are looking for ideas for paint and sip at home.
“Painting makes you relax,” says Cherisse Lockerd, co-owner of Pinot’s Palette in Tustin, Calif. “When you’re painting–whether you’re a beginner or expert–it’s a break from the noise of everyday life. It takes your mind off all the worries like, ‘Who’s getting groceries? Did I leave my mask at home? What’s for dinner? Can the kids log online for school?’ All that fades away for a little while.”
So it should come as no surprise that paint and sip at-home parties are all the rage on social media during the global pandemic. “We started virtual classes the first week of April,” says Lockerd “Our studio packs up an art kit for each person in the class. Then our artists guide them through painting from beginning to end on Zoom.”
Want to try it yourself? Here, Lockerd shares four of her favorite tips for hosting a successful paint and sip party from the privacy of your own home.
Choose Your Theme
Whether you’re turning to YouTube or a professional studio, selecting a painting theme is the first step to hosting the perfect paint and sip party. “It’s always fun to have a theme,” says Lockerd. “We had one party that chose a picnic theme and painted outside from their patios on tablets. Another group dressed up in pj’s and did a pajama party with their Girl Scout troop. There was another one where we did a virtual happy hour with a really silly painting of a Sasquatch in the woods holding a wine glass. Choosing a theme is really fun, but also sets the tone and gets people to loosen up!”
Stock Up On Supplies
Before you even get started, make sure you have all of the necessary tools and supplies within arm’s reach. According to Lockerd, you’ll need paint, brushes, paint cups, a canvas, and an easel. You can pick up most of these items at a local craft store like Michaels. Or, better yet, check out these take-home art kits to send in advance as party favors to family and friends. “We give everyone all of the supplies needed,” says Lockerd. “There’s brand-new brushes, paint cups and canvases. The one thing we don’t provide is an easel, but we give a tutorial on how to turn the box into an easel. We also have a link on our website for folks who might want to order pizza and make their own easel at home.”
Raise a Glass
What’s a paint and sip party without something to sip? It doesn’t matter whether you spend five or $500 on your favorite bottle of vino. Lockerd promises the end result will still be the same. “When you have a wine glass in one hand and a paintbrush in the other, there’s only room to socialize and talk,” she says. “I think that’s the beauty of the whole thing. Painting is something we’ve been doing for hundreds of years as a society, maybe even thousands. It’s fun. It’s different and it’s a nod back to things that were less digital.”
Get Ready to Reconnect
Socially distancing during these uncertain times is no easy feat, but virtual paint and sip parties are a great way to help you kick back and relax in the comfort of your own home. “When we were all stuck at home on lockdown in March, the thing I noticed most was how my neighbors would be waiving hello and walking every night,” says Lockerd. “People still walk so much more than they ever did before. I feel like our virtual classes are a bit like that. It feels so good to connect to people, whether you’re waving six feet apart or you’re waving on Zoom over the computer screen. It’s the human touch that I love, and now we’ve found a way to do that virtually, which is amazing.”
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