What to buy for a painting workshop

A painting workshop needs more than canvases and paint. You also need enough table protection, water cups, mixing supplies, aprons and a way to let finished work dry safely. Buy one canvas, apron and brush set per participant, then add shared tools for every table. Plan drinks and catering separately, and check dietary requirements before placing the food order. This list helps you shop before setup day instead of discovering missing materials when guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Work tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
Buffet tablesqty 2
Tableclothsqty 10
Coat racksqty 2

Equipment

Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 6
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Phone tripod

Lighting

Table lampsqty 8

Painting supplies

Painter's canvasesqty 45
Acrylic paint setsqty 45
Brush setsqty 45
Palletsqty 45
Mixing bowlsqty 90
Water cupsqty 90
Painting apronsqty 45
Pencilsqty 50
Erasersqty 25
Pencil sharpenersqty 10
Rulersqty 10
Palette knivesqty 10
Drying racksqty 5
Packaging cardboardqty 50
Paper carrier bagsqty 50
Masking tapeqty 12
Newsprintqty 6
Protective filmqty 4
Nitrile glovesqty 100

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 45
Drinking glassesqty 60
Platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee potsqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 3
Serving traysqty 6
Buffet tongsqty 6

Decorations

Name badgesqty 45
Table décorqty 8
Menusqty 8

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Cleaning clothsqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Wine - 12 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 3 jars
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Hummus wraps - 50 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White bread - 6 loaves
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Pesto spread - 4 jars
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Pasta salad - 5 kilos
- Raw vegetable salad - 4 kilo
- Vegetarian quiche - 6 pieces
- Mini savory sandwiches - 60 pieces
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle

Tips

Buy one painter’s canvas, apron and brush set per participant, plus at least 10% extra canvases and brushes for damage or late registrations.
Allow one water cup and one pencil per guest, then provide one eraser, sharpener and ruler for every two to three people sharing a table.
Protect every workstation with protective film or newsprint and keep masking tape available to secure the covering. Set this up before distributing paint.
Provide one palette and mixing bowl for each participant or pair, depending on the supervisor’s instructions. Palette knives are shared, so prepare at least one for every four guests.
Arrange drying racks and packaging cardboard before the workshop starts. Have one paper carrier bag per participant if guests will take their paintings home the same day.

Frequently asked questions

How many canvases do I need for a painting workshop?: Plan for one canvas per registered participant, plus 10% extra. For 20 guests, buy 22 canvases so a damaged canvas or late addition does not interrupt the session.
How much paint and how many brushes should I buy per person?: Use one acrylic paint set and one brush set per participant, with at least two spare sets for every 20 guests. The supervisor may request extra colours or brush sizes for the planned project.
What should I use to protect tables during a painting workshop?: Cover every workstation with protective film or several layers of newsprint, secured with masking tape. Buy enough to cover the full table surface and add roughly 10% extra for spills and replacement sheets.
When should I buy painting workshop supplies?: Order specialist painting supplies at least 7 days before the workshop, then check the delivery as soon as it arrives. Buy drinks and other fresh catering items one to two days before the event, after registrations and dietary requirements are confirmed.

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