Sip & Paint Events Are More Than Just A Trend

I had just crossed over to the Bakerloo line heading towards Charing Cross for work on a Sunday. When my good friend Rebecca sent me a link to an article that read ‘How Paint-and-sip events became the worst thing to happen to our social lives,’  I was honestly surprised by this outrageous article that dragged the paint and sip industry through the mud. 

Firstly, let’s look at the bigger picture here. In a world where everyone is at war, where we are all struggling to find moments of joy and real connection, is it really worth trashing something that genuinely brings pleasure to people? What’s worse is how misguided many of the points in the article felt. Completely missing the value of the experience and doing a great disservice to the many talented, skilled artists running these events.

I have been a part of the sip and paint industry with a company that has painted with over 90,000 people. I have also been the lead artist at least likely, 3000 + of those events. That includes hen parties, corporate events, and many public events. So, it’s safe to say I have more than enough experience to talk about this subject. What I can say is that this first hit the UK in 2013, and at least 90,000 people would disagree with the author. The idea might be ‘simple’, but the energy, the time, the prep, the marketing, the late nights, every detail that goes into making a sip and paint event successful is not. It’s hard work. 

Sip and Paint is more than just a social activity – it is an experience that combines creativity with connection. It allows people who have little to no art experience to express themselves freely in a non-judgmental environment and share memories with their loved ones – Friend, lover, or mother included! Yes, sometimes with ‘easy’ designed paintings, but mostly (as with the company I worked with), inspired by the classics, as well as cleverly designed original mash-ups! It’s easy to call something ‘predictable’ when you don’t take time to experience it, in depth, properly. If the author had taken the time to talk with the artists and event managers who run these events, then maybe the title of the article might have read ‘How sip and paint events are a beacon of positivity in a world that desperately needs it.’

One of the most frustrating things about the article is the way it describes the artist leading these events. The assumption that these are just ‘disgruntled art students’ made my head shake like Churchill the dog as I was floating up the escalator at the station exit. The huge reality of these events is that the artists are the backbone of the entire experience. And more often than not, they are led by fully qualified and practising artists who have honed their crafts for years. They are skilled, passionate professionals who are using their great expertise to create accessible, fun experiences for everyone. Allow me to express this further. I was the lead artist for the ” Loving Vincent ” press release event, and at the end, a man approached me and said ‘That was really fun, you know what you do is hard because you have to give your guidance for the painting, whilst also having to be entertaining and making sure everyone is ok’ I never forgot what he said, because he is 100% correct. The point is, the author’s words are thoughtless and damaging. Sip and paint events are a lifeline for most artists, most of whom are self-employed. We all know how tough the art world can be, and these events give artists a chance to earn a living from being creative and sharing their passions. Every artist who runs these events deserves recognition for their dedication to creating a meaningful, enjoyable and positive experience that is inclusive to everyone, regardless of their skill level. 

It felt clear, the more I read the article, that their tone was quite dismissive and perhaps lacked an understanding of business, considering the comments about the price. This could have been such a different article, had the author taken a more open-minded approach (however cynical you might be). Instead, there were a lot of snarky remarks that missed the point of the experience economy completely. People today don’t just want to spend money on things. They’re looking for things to do — connection, laughter, shared moments. That’s why Sip and Paint has grown so rapidly across the UK over the past 10 years – not just since the pandemic. It’s easy to take shots at something that’s popular, but when you do that, you fail to see the bigger picture –  Sip and Paint has been the beating heart for self-employed artists, small business owners, well-known chain pubs and restaurants, as well as independent cafes for over 10 years. The ripple effect that this ‘predictable trend’ painting experience has is more needed than ever. Especially with business rates so high and with the number of pubs and shops that have closed down. It’s hard to imagine why anyone would want to stab at something that only creates smiles, fun and laughter.

Let’s just note the points about hen-dos, shall we, having been a willing victim myself to organising a few. It’s not an easy task. You’re dealing with mixed personalities, different ages, a range of people who don’t know each other and pressure to make it memorable for the bride to be. Sip and Paint works because it is inclusive to everyone, and no one gets left out, and everyone is on a level playing field in terms of their artistic abilities. There wasn’t a hen-do I didn’t lead as an artist where there wasn’t laughter, smiles, or people leaving with their masterpiece expressing how much fun they had.

I want to be clear, and maybe my post is an overreaction to a ‘focus’ piece that was never meant to offend. But, it did, to many. The point is not the painting, or ‘knocking back a few wines’, it’s about adults having fun, laughing, creating and sharing moments with friends in a relaxed environment, having that different, yet exciting first date or potentially meeting the love of your life, or even, spending quality time with your mother. And we all know how creativity benefits mental health. Just for a few hours to de-stress and switch off!  It’s also a chance for people to explore art and embrace it in ways they never would have growing up. The joy is the simple act of stepping out of your comfort zone and celebrating self-expression – the prosecco or wine is only a prop to make you feel comfortable enough to release your inhibitions and say sod it, this is a crap piece of art, but it is unique! As for the artwork? It’s a little souvenir they get to keep forever – a memory of a fantastic night spent.

If you read this far, thank you! I think we can agree that the next time someone wants to write off an entire industry and the incredible talent that makes it all work, then that said, someone should take a moment to experience it for themselves. Words matter – especially when they target people whose livelihoods depend on public perception. If you are ever in doubt about the events, I invite you to join one. In doing so, you will be supporting small businesses, self-employed artists and helping to keep venues alive. And if you have a hen-do to plan, then maybe a fashionable painting apron is just what your tribe needs.

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Prime Pass Events
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