By now, you've probably seen countless pictures on Facebook or Instagram that look something like this:
These painting and wine parties are all the rage. But they can be a bit intimidating for people who've never been (which is probably what the wine's for). Here's what I learned from my first one:
1. People of all ages attend these events, though usually they're old enough to down a couple glasses of wine.
2. Everything is provided for you — except the wine.
3. It's not a paint-by-number situation.
4. The grid method is your best friend.
5. The image you'll be painting is usually preselected, and it's most likely a landscape or still life.
6. At some parties, you choose your image and it doesn't have to be the same as the teacher's.
7. Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you won't make a mess.
8. You don't need to be an artist or creative genius to have fun at a painting party.
9. That being said, there's always a few artists in the group.
10. And "regulars" who will probably make it known that it isn't their first rodeo.
11. Random people will come up to you and your painting and say things like, "Very nice!" and you know they're full of shit.
12. Even when a group does the same painting, it's always clear whose is best.
13. Whatever you do, don't beat yourself up. Everyone's there to have fun and relax, regardless of whatever painting skills they may have.
14. And lastly, pics or it didn't happen.
