What to buy for a painting workshop

Plan one complete painting station per participant, then add shared supplies for mixing, cleaning, labeling, and drying. The core kit includes a canvas, acrylic paints, brushes, a palette, water cup, and basic drawing tools for each guest. You will also need protective film and painter’s tape before setup, plus racks or portfolio covers so wet work can leave safely. Check registrations before shopping and buy at least 10% extra consumables for spills, damaged materials, or late additions.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Work tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 24
Easelsqty 20
Check-in desk
Buffet tableqty 2

Painting supplies

Painter's canvasesqty 24
Acrylic paint setsqty 24
Brush setsqty 24
Palletsqty 24
Mixing bowlsqty 30
Water cupsqty 30
Palette knivesqty 12
Spongesqty 24
Pencilsqty 30
Erasersqty 24
Rulersqty 12
Fixative sprayqty 4
Name stickersqty 30
Project labelsqty 30
Protective filmqty 6
Painter's tapeqty 8
Drying racksqty 4
Portfolio coversqty 24

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projector screen
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable glassesqty 30
Reusable platesqty 30
Reusable cutleryqty 30
Coffee cupsqty 24
Serving plattersqty 6

Kitchen

Kettlesqty 2
Coffee maker
Coolersqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 3

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Hand broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Milk - 5 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Mints - 1 box
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Baguettes - 24 pieces
- Mini wraps - 30 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 1 kilogram
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Herb cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 3 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 bags
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 24 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Tomato soup - 6 liters
- Vegetable soup - 4 liters
- Breadsticks - 4 packs
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Pepper - 1 grinder
- Salt - 1 pack
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Hand soap - 3 bottles

Tips

Count registered participants before ordering canvases, paint sets, and brush sets. Buy one full set per person, plus supplies for at least one extra station if your numbers may change.
Protect every work table with protective film and keep painter’s tape available for securing edges. Buy enough film to cover all table surfaces, not just the areas directly under the canvases.
Plan drying space before the workshop starts. One drying-rack position or portfolio cover per finished painting prevents wet canvases from being stacked and smudged.
Label materials before guests arrive using name stickers and project labels. Prepare at least two labels per participant: one for the person and one for the finished work.
Check equipment and power before shopping for catering or teaching materials. Allow one extension cord and access to a power strip for each powered setup, such as the laptop and projector.

Frequently asked questions

How many canvases do I need for a painting workshop?: Buy one painter’s canvas for every registered participant, then add 10% extra. For 20 attendees, that means 22 canvases so one or two damaged or last-minute replacements do not disrupt the session.
How much paint and how many brushes does each participant need?: Give each participant one acrylic paint set and one brush set. Add at least two spare sets for a group of 20, because brushes can be misplaced and small paint containers may run out or dry during the workshop.
What should I buy to protect tables during a painting class?: Use protective film across every work table and painter’s tape to hold it in place. Buy the film at least 2–3 days before the workshop so you can measure the tables and cut replacement pieces before setup.
How do I store paintings after the workshop?: Plan one drying-rack position or portfolio cover per finished painting. Set up the drying area before guests arrive and keep it available for at least 24 hours, depending on paint thickness and room ventilation.

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