By Lori Bosworth
It’s a brand new year and many people’s new year’s resolutions include activities that will get them out of their comfort zone. With that goal in mind, I have always wanted to try Paint Nite, the instructor-led group painting sessions where everyone paints the same picture. [Disclosure: I received a complimentary Paint Nite session in order to review it for Torontonicity.] Congrats to Barb W. who won our giveaway of a complimentary Paint Nite session.
I chose a Paint Nite session at Midtown Gastro Pub at Yonge and St. Clair, taught by Erik Irwin, on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 4 p.m. The painting we were all going to paint was called “Misty Forest Lake.” I love being near or in water so this was the perfect painting for me to paint.
I got to the session about 20 minutes early because I wanted to make sure I got a seat near the front where I could see the painting well. I ordered a drink while I waited, but noticed there was not a lot of room at your painting station to place extra items such as drinks. There is enough room only for your canvas, paint palette, paint brushes and cup of turpentine. I ended up placing my drink behind my canvas and forgot about it for the rest of the session!
Two women sat beside me, Elizabeth and Bronwen, and we chatted a bit before the class began.
Shortly after 4 p.m., Erik began the session by having us pledge the Paint Nite oath, which was quite funny. Something about relaxing and having fun and not being critical of our work. This was going to be a challenge for my Type A personality!
Erik got us to work by beginning with the sky and I think I was three minutes in before I accidentally painted a black paint stroke on the canvas where we were supposed to be creating a pale blue sky. There was no fixing that error so Erik graciously provided me with a new canvas and I quickly got to work, catching up with others. Can you say, “Embarrassing?!”
We worked our way down along the canvas, mixing different colours to create different hued skies, fog, trees and the lake. Erik demonstrated each step and gave us time to copy what he had just done, mind you, none of what we did was in fact a “copy” of what he did since each person’s painting was unique in composition, brush strokes and colour. We were given a 10 minute break to order more drinks and/or make a washroom visit.
I made another blunder as we got to the bottom of the canvas. I was holding one brush in my left hand while I painted with the other brush and the left-hand-brush accidentally touched the canvas. Fortunately this time, it was a blue stroke of paint that I was easily able to cover with the paint we were using for the lake.
We finished painting around 6:20 p.m. and cleaned up our paint stations. The paint dries really quickly so we were able to take our paintings home almost immediately. Have a look at my and my neighbours’ paintings. They are all different!
I would definitely attend Paint Nite again. Our amenable instructor, Erik Irwin, was great, making us all feel relaxed. We were given a 30% off coupon to use against the cost of a future class. There are just a few things I need to remember for next time:
- Mix enough paint for each hue so that you don’t have to go back and mix more;
- Stop painting and pay attention to each of the instructor’s steps;
- Hold only one brush in your hand at a time lol;
- Study the painting beforehand so that you have a good idea of the composition.
Our giveaway is closed. Congrats to Barb W. who won one ticket to a Paint Nite event anywhere in Canada.
This contest appears on Contest Canada
No I haven’t, but I have always wanted to try it.
No
I haven’t attended a paint nite yet but I intend to. It looks fun!
I haven’t been to a paint nite but sounds fun.
First time I’ve heard of this before.. Interesting
i have never done one before but I have always wanted to!
I have attended a paint night and it was really fun!
I haven’t attended a paint nite before
This is the first I’ve heard of Paint Nite. I think my son would enjoy it.
Not yet, but I would love to!
Not yet, but I’ve been wanting to try one for a while
This would be a fun event to attend. I love to paint.
I have attended Paint Nite before.
I haven’t , my sister has with her friends and I’d love to join.
No
I haven’t attended a paint nite yet. It looks like a lot of fun though!
no i have not
No I have not but I want to take my husband
I have never attended, but have always wanted to!
I have never been to one but I have always wanted to try it.
no- I have never attended one of these sessions
no? smile
I haven’t yet but I’ve been wanting to try one with my mom!
No..not yet 🙂
I haven’t done paint nite but my daughter has gone three times.
Having attended one Paint Nite, I can see how addictive it could be! Cheers, Lori
Paint nites look so fun, but I’ve never (yet) attended one.
I haven’t gone to one yet. I am taking my daughter’s to one in February.
I’m sure you and your daughter will enjoy it. Have fun! Lori
No, I haven’t attended paint night , though it looks fun. Many of my friends have & they enjoyed it.
Never have but always wanted to
I’ve never attended a paint night but it sounds like fun!
I have never been to a paint Nite but I would love to go!
I hope you get a chance to go; it’s worth it! Cheers, Lori
I have not but it’s on the bucket list!
I highly recommend it! Cheers, Lori
Never
No I haven’t
No, and I would love to try!
I have a location not too far from me but haven’t had time to go. Hope to go this year, looks like fun!
Hopefully, you get a chance to attend Paint Nite. It’s a blast! Cheers, Lori
I’ve wanted to but haven’t had the chance yet.
Hope you get a chance to attend. It’s really fun! Cheers, Lori
I have but it’s been years
Would love to treat my sister to this. Haven’t been yet but have heard amazing things!
I’m sure you and your sister would have a great time! Cheers, Lori
I have been to 2, they were so much fun.
I agree. I had a blast and can’t wait to go to another one! Cheers, Lori
These Paint Nite are so much fun especially with friends!
[…] you looking for experiences to nurture your creativity? If so, then read on. I recently had a wonderful experience at Paint Nite and was invited to try Paint Nite’s newest spinoff: Plant Nite on a complimentary basis. Plant […]
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