Looking for a fun at home date idea? How about you set up your own couples painting date night at home? Whether you’re wanting to do a cheaper version of a Paint & Sip, or just looking for a fun way to mix up your date nights, this is a perfect date idea for you!
We are so excited to have Tracie Kiernan from Step By Step Painting sharing with us how to set up the perfect Paint and Sip At Home Date Idea!
Tracie has some really great step-by-step tutorials to paint a beautiful painting just like the ones you see at a “Paint and Sip” event. She helps you save tons of money by being able to do this date night at home.
We asked her to share with you how to set up your very own couples at home paint night so you can add this to your At Home Date list, and save some money!
Step-By-Step Paint And Sip At Home
Hi everyone, this is Tracie Kiernan! I’m an artist and a blogger over at Step By Step Painting. I create free online painting tutorials and I’m here to let you know about a trend I’m seeing!
So many people are having paint nights, at home! More specifically, couples are having paint dates!
Yes! Spending the evening at home painting is such a splendid idea for a date night. I’m here as a guest to show you just how and why to set this up.
You may be thinking that you and your partner are not artistic or you’ve never painted before. You’d be surprised! Step by step painting instruction, like the ones you do in a sip & paint studio, is such an effective technique that it makes anyone feel like a Bob Ross.
And, best of all, you can do this all on a budget at home! It may even be cheaper than going to a studio.
Three Reasons Why You Should Have A Painting Date Night- At Home!
I’ve come across couples that don’t have any art skills whatsoever and they’ve found absolute enjoyment in this hobby. There’s something beautiful about learning to paint together and I’ll list some of the amazing benefits here.
1. Painting is a Great Stress Relief
There is no secret that painting is extremely relaxing. Put on some music and get lost in the process of mixing colors and stroking them on the canvas.
Painting can be very therapeutic and after a long day you both can benefit from the rewards of art!
2. Painting together is fun & social
These paintings can take upwards of 2 hours to make. Yikes! But don’t worry, it won’t feel like that. How often do you get to sit down together for that long and engage in an activity?
Making art is a social activity! You and your loved one get to talk, laugh, get paint on your noses and overall enjoy yourselves.
3. Painting at home allows you to take your time and paint at your own pace
My husband and I love going to paint studios for date night but they usually feel kind of rushed. Painting at home allows you to take as much time as you need to render your painting and add as many details as you need.
Have A Painting Date On A Budget
Sometimes setting up this kind of paint date is intimidating because you don’t know what supplies to get. Or maybe the costs are holding you back.
Really, you don’t have to go all out and buy the most expensive stuff.
Michaels, Hobby Lobby and Walmart are my go to places for paint night supplies. Michaels usually has sales on their art supplies around holidays. Hobby Lobby has that 40% off coupon that everyone adores.
And, since canvas painting is such a popular hobby right now, you can even get paints, brushes and canvases all at Walmart!
Pick up a cheap bottle of wine, have some fun appetizers and you’re good to go!
Did I mention you can get free tutorials online? That means you’ll only be paying for the supplies!
How To Set Up Your At Home Painting Date Night: Materials You’ll Need
You’ll need the basics: canvases, brushes, paints and easels. I often get asked exactly what to buy because sometimes when you go to a craft store and stare at the art aisle, it’s absolutely overwhelming!
Canvases
Canvases can be bought at just about any craft store and even Walmart!
The standard paint studio canvas size is 16” x 20”. However, for painting at home I find the 11” x 14” to be a much easier size to work with.
I prefer “stretched canvases”, the ones where you get to paint the sides. Also, these canvases are primed and ready to go so you don’t need to add primer or anything to them.
Brushes
You can get acrylic paint brushes for fairly cheap and often they come in bundle packs.
Look for a pack that says synthetic or made for acrylics. A lot of times the pack will say they are made for other mediums such as watercolors and oils. Those are fine as long as you see “acrylic” or “all media” somewhere on the labeling.
You’ll most likely be using different shape brushes. I recommend either looking at your tutorial to find out exactly what size brushes you’ll need or getting a bundle pack with a nice variety.
Paint
The type of paint used for paint night is “acrylic”. It’s water based paint that dries like plastic. It will stain clothes but easily comes off of your hands.
This kind of paint has a wide range of price points ranging from craft paint to professional artist paint.
Since we are talking about doing this on a budget, Craft Paints are a popular economical choice for DIY Paint Nights. I find them very friendly for the beginner painter because they flow nicely and come in a wide range of colors.
If you want to use artist paint but you’re still on a budget, you can try the Artist Loft Brand at Michael’s which is a great beginner paint and easy on the budget.
Easels
I always tell my readers that Hobby Lobby has the best paint party easels. I love their little beechwood table top easels and you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg for them.
You can also paint flat on the table without an easel. Set up a table cloth to catch the paint drippings so you won’t have to worry about getting paint on the table.
Anything else?
You’ll need palettes and water cups. I use paper plates to pour my paint onto. For water, I use a glass jar or old Tupperware.
How do we do the painting?
There are so many free online painting tutorials and videos on YouTube.
Or you can check out my blog Step By Step Painting which has tons of free tutorials in a blog & video format. I now have over 100 painting lessons to choose from.
Simply go to the website on your phone, tablet or computer and select which painting you want to do. Each tutorial has a materials list, complete step by step photo directions and a video to guide you along!
The best thing about this is you can go at your own pace!
Deciding What To Paint
As for what to paint, that is up to you and your partner!
I have a few “couples paintings” where the design is intended to be joined together like this sweet tropical sunset painting.
But you don’t have to do couples paintings. You can do something that has a special meaning to you and your significant other.
You can even turn a painting into a couples painting by dividing it in half.
Speaking of turning paintings into something, a lot of my followers love getting creative and doing their own twist on paintings! There is absolutely nothing wrong with changing the design, colors and elements and it adds a whole new fun element to your personal paint party!
Easy Landscape Couples Painting
Here is an example of a couples painting I recently designed and it’s perfect for a paint date!
It is a super easy landscape painting with a moon, trees and turquoise water. You can paint stars in the sky with constellations forming a heart.
The best thing about this painting is that it can be done with budget friendly materials!
Here are materials you’ll need…
- Two 11 x 14 canvases
- Acrylic Craft Paints (Apple Barrel Craft Paints are great for budget friendly paint nights)
- Painters Tape (not required but it helps with this painting)
- Paint brushes (only two different sizes needed)
- 3/4” Flat Wash Brush
- 4 Round Brush
Here is a quick preview of the steps. You can see a full tutorial here!
First you will be doing your painting the same way. The steps for the sky & water are very easy and simply require you to paint straight across the canvas and then blend colors downwards.
Then you will put your paintings together and sync your moon, trees and water reflection!
Trust me, you CAN do this one step at a time! I will guide you through it.
That’s it!
There is so much novelty in doing a paint date night! I highly recommend it for all couples no matter your level of artistic skills.
You get to have a beautiful piece of art hanging in your “nest” as a memoir of your paint date. Enjoy painting those happy trees together!
Now that you know how to set up your own Couple’s Paint Date Night At Home, we’re sure you’re going to want to make this a regular thing! Be sure to check out all of Tracie’s paint tutorials and make this a night to remember.
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Sara, a seasoned expert in wedding planning and date ideas, brings a wealth of experience to our couples blog. With a background in the television industry and hands-on involvement in a dozen weddings, including working as a wedding assistant on "My Fair Wedding with David Tutera," Sara has an innate understanding of the magic that makes weddings truly special. Growing up with four sisters has given her unique insights into the dating world, making her a go-to source for practical and heartfelt dating advice. Her knowledge and enthusiasm make her the perfect guide for couples seeking to infuse their relationships with creativity and love.
This was such a fun painting to do. thank you for the idea!
I follow your blog religiously and have been meaning to do this one. Finally had some time, and wow! we want to do another one. You are the date queen!!