I have always loved the idea of a sip and paint date night, but for some odd reason, Hubby and I never have done this. It’s ironic, really, considering that many moons ago, Hubby actually studied art! You would think this would be something right up his alley, yet in our 26 years together, we have never taken a class. And perhaps that is why … Hubby didn’t like the idea of it being a CLASS. For him, art is relaxing. What is more relaxing than being able to do a paint night in your own home? NOTHING! So, people, we finally had our sip and paint date and we didn’t have to GOGH (you will understand that pun later) anywhere else to do it! Winner winner chicken dinner.
The best part about a paint night at home (besides being able to do it IN YOUR HOME) is how easy it is to do. Michaels, Hobby Lobby, heck, even Walmart have tons of supplies at relatively cheap prices. There are oodles of videos online you can download with Bob Ross and his wannabees that can teach you how to make “happy little trees” in no time. But if you want to have an all-inclusive, convenient way to do it, you can have a painting class delivered to your doorstep! There are many companies out there that offer this service, but we chose Painting to Gogh, mostly because I liked the pun and also because everything was included, even access to a step-by-step tutorial!
The hardest part was picking what to paint! They offer many different types, including the option of creating a diptych! (That is when you turn your canvases vertically and paint two halves of the painting so that your canvases will create one image when placed together.) But for some reason, that stressed me out because I didn’t want one side being really good (i.e. Hubby’s side) and one being, well, not. (That would be my side.) We ended up choosing “A Jar Full of Sunshine” as our painting, and we did one starter kit for $45, which came with an easel, a set of five paint brushes, a 16”x20” canvas, acrylic paints, a disposable apron, and a cardboard palette.
The only things we needed to supply were a table covering (because I am neurotic), another apron (once again, because I am neurotic), a cup of water and paper towels to clean the brushes, and some adult beverages to help me paint better. Our original plan was to paint this one picture together. (Thus, only one starter kit was purchased with one canvas.) I thought it would be romantic, and Hubby would be able to fix anything I painted that might need fixing. That said, I am glad we had some extra canvases and brushes lying around the house because after Hubby went all rogue and painted the table purple, I decided to paint on my own. (Have I mentioned I am a bit neurotic?)
Another really great thing about doing this at home and watching the tutorial online is that you can actually stop when you want and take your time. Or in my case, rewind because your artistic husband and his purple table are way ahead doing their own thing. I was all, “Wait, how am I supposed to hold my paint brush again?” Which, I guess, is a good thing because it just goes to show you that even someone with zilch painting skills like me can actually produce something that somewhat resembles a jar full of sunshine. Emphasis on the somewhat!
It took us about two hours to complete our pictures, and while I’m joking around telling you about the experience, it really was a fun time. We were relaxed, entertained, learned a few new things, and now have two cool paintings to hang on our wall as a way to remember it all. (Purple table and all!)
For more information on the company we used, visit the Painting to Gogh’s website at https://www.paintingtogogh.com/.
