From choosing the painting to packing the car — here’s what goes into making a Social House workshop happen.
People sometimes ask me what goes into planning a workshop. From the outside, it probably looks simple: show up at a café, set up some canvases, teach people to paint. Easy, right?
Well… it’s a lot more than that. But I love every minute of it. Here’s a peek behind the curtain.
Step 1: The Painting
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Everything starts with the painting itself. I spend a lot of time thinking about what to paint for each workshop — it needs to be seasonal, visually appealing, and most importantly, achievable for complete beginners in about 2 hours.
That last part is the hardest. I’ll paint a design I love, then try to reverse-engineer it into simple, repeatable steps. If I can’t break it down into 8–10 clear stages, it’s too complex. I usually go through 3–4 versions before I land on the final design.
I also think about the venue. A bright, airy café calls for different colours than a moody brewery taproom. The painting should feel like it belongs in the space.
Step 2: The Venue
Choosing the right venue is everything. I look for places with:
- Great atmosphere — Exposed brick, warm lighting, interesting décor. The venue sets the mood.
- Enough space — We need room for 15–30 people with table seating. Not too cramped, not too spread out.
- Good drinks — Whether it’s craft beer, specialty coffee, or wine, the drinks are part of the experience.
- Friendly owners — I only work with venues where the staff genuinely wants us there. That energy matters.
I visit every venue in person before booking. I sit at the tables, check the lighting, test the acoustics. Can people hear me from the back? Is there enough light to paint by? Where will I set up my demo station? These details matter.
Step 3: The Supplies
For a typical 25-person painting workshop, here’s what I pack:
- 25 pre-stretched canvases (11×14″ or 16×20″ depending on the event)
- 25 easels (tabletop)
- 25 paint palettes
- 75+ brushes (multiple sizes per person)
- 25 aprons
- 8–10 colours of acrylic paint (mixed and portioned into cups)
- Water cups, paper towels, wet wipes
- Drop cloths for the tables
- My demo canvas and easel
- A speaker for background music
- Canvas carriers for people to take their paintings home
All of this fits into my car. Barely. I’ve gotten very good at Tetris-style packing.
Step 4: The Prep
The day before a workshop, I pre-mix all the paint colours and portion them into individual cups. This takes about 2 hours. I also do a final run-through of the painting, timing each step and writing notes for my instruction script.
Day of, I arrive at the venue about 90 minutes early. Setup takes about an hour: covering tables with drop cloths, placing easels and canvases, laying out paint and brushes, testing the music, and doing a final check of everything.
By the time guests arrive, every station is perfectly set up and ready to go. That’s the goal — they should walk in and feel like everything is taken care of.
Step 5: The Workshop
This is the fun part. Once everyone’s settled with a drink, I introduce myself, explain what we’re painting, and we get started. I demo each step at the front, then walk around the room helping people individually.
The key is reading the room. Some groups are chatty and social — I keep the energy high, crack jokes, and let people work at their own pace. Other groups are more focused and meditative — I lower the music, speak more softly, and give people space to concentrate.
Every workshop is different, and that’s what keeps it exciting.
Step 6: The Cleanup
After the last guest leaves (usually lingering to take photos of their painting), cleanup begins. Washing 75 brushes, collecting palettes, wiping down tables, folding drop cloths, packing everything back into the car. It takes about 45 minutes.
Then I drive home, unload, wash more brushes, and collapse on the couch with a glass of wine and a deep sense of satisfaction.
Is It Worth It?
Every single time. The moment someone holds up their finished painting and says “I can’t believe I made this” — that’s why I do all of it. The planning, the packing, the paint-stained car seats. It’s all worth it.
If you’ve ever wondered what goes into a Social House workshop — now you know. And if you haven’t been to one yet, come see for yourself. I promise it’s even better in person.