DIY – Host Your Own *Sweet* Wine And Paint!
With Spring officially here, who doesn’t love the idea of painting with good friends and a bottle of wine?
‘Wine and Paints’ have become a huge craze over the last few years, but they’re not always easy to find. Even if you manage to stumble across one, it can be hard to make a reservation if you have too many (or too few) people in your party. They often fill up quickly and can easily become overcrowded unless their venue is huge.
Then, of course, there’s the wine… Usually a combination of dry cabs and minerally Muscadets that just don’t seem to capture the fun spirit of the activity. Fortunately, if you’re a sweet wine lover like we all are, we’ve got a solution for you:
Why not host your own Wine and Paint?
Although it might seem hard to pull off, Sweet Wine Club has put together a simple guide to help you plan your perfect party. Here’s our checklist for throwing your very own “Sweet Wine and Paint!”
Pick Your Ideal Location
The first thing you want to do is find a location that fits the Wine and Paint you are envisioning. Think about how many people you want to have, how long you think they’ll be there, and any special arrangements you might need to make beforehand.
One of the great things about Wine and Paints is that they can really work anywhere. A park near your house, a backyard, or even a garage will do if you’re concerned about the weather. Try and pick somewhere with a lot of space relative to the number of people you invite.
Painting is about free expression, so you definitely want people to feel they can move around freely without getting in someone else’s way.
The fun of the event will be the main focus, so don’t worry if your location isn’t completely ideal. As long as the wine flows and the paint pours, people will have a blast.
Grab Your Painting Supplies
Painting supplies will vary based on how many people there are and your location, but there are a few basics you definitely want no matter what.
Whether you plan to use tables with blank painting sheets, easels with canvases, or even one giant canvas for everyone to paint on – make sure to put a tarp down first. You can pick up one or two standard 9’ x 12’ painters tarps to use, stretching them across the area you plan to set up on. These help tremendously with cleanup, so they should be your step one.
Next, you’ll want to get whatever surfaces your guests will be painting on, a variety of paintbrushes (a good rule is at least 3 brushes per guest), and a few dozen plastic cups to fill with water for brush cleaning.
Also, make sure to get a stack of rags or towels for rudimentary cleanup! People are going to spill, so have some towels on standby so they can easily clean up.
If you want any kind of stencils to help inspire painting designs, we recommend printing them out on the internet. There are a ton of great sites, like this one, that can help you find exactly what you’re looking for. All you’ll need is access to a printer and a pair of scissors!
When Picking Paints – Go Light and Bright
Wine and Paints are all about fun and enjoyment, so the paints you offer should reflect that. A good rule to keep in mind is to go light and bright with your paint selection.
Stay away from naturally dark or earthy colors, and try to select colors that naturally evoke positive feelings.
Good suggestions are yellows, greens, blues, violets, and reds. It’s fine to have a little of everything, but the more ‘happy’ colors you have available, the better.
As for paint types, avoid matte and satin when possible. We suggest gloss or neon paints, which will give paintings a ‘pop-art’ look and really stand out against your canvas. Wine and Paints are less about creating a masterpiece and more about just making something cool, so make sure your paint is loud and vibrant!
Secure Your Sweet Treats and Wine!
Of course, no Wine and Paint would be complete without a tasty beverage. You should have a steady supply of wine available to keep people loose and creative. A good rule here is to have 2 bottles or more for every 3 people in attendance.
For the sweet wine lovers among us, Sweetwine Club can take care of your wine situation without you having to lift a finger.
Your SWC box will include 3 varietals that are perfect for Wine and Paints, as well as food pairing recipes you can easily serve as hors d’oeuvres. Plus, if your party is particularly popular, you can always hop on the SWC site to purchase additional wines at a discounted, member price!
Remember – Don’t Stress
The entire point of hosting a Wine and Paint should be to enjoy and relax, so have fun! If you’re taking it easy and enjoying yourself, chances are your guests will too. Bring a speaker and playlist of top 40s, or throw on an album that you think inspires creativity.
Trust us, the second your guests have a drink in one hand and a brush in the other, they’ll let their inhibitions go and have a blast.
Creativity, friends, wine, and fun– now that’s the sweet life! 😉