What you need for a painting workshop

A painting workshop needs more than canvases and paint. Plan one complete set of core materials per participant, then add shared equipment for mixing, cleaning and displaying the work. You will also need covered work tables, aprons, drinks and simple catering supplies. Buy or borrow the items early enough to check quantities, test power access and replace missing materials before the workshop day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Work tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 24
Buffet table
Coat racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 3

Equipment

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

Painting supplies

Painter's canvasesqty 24
Acrylic paint setsqty 24
Brush setsqty 24
Mixing palettesqty 24
Water cupsqty 24
Easelsqty 24
Mixing bowlsqty 24
Pencilsqty 30
Erasersqty 24
Pencil sharpenersqty 6
Apronsqty 24
Table easelsqty 6

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 30
Glassesqty 30
Platesqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 30
Serving traysqty 4
Pitcherqty 2

Decorations

Table runnersqty 6
Name badgesqty 24
Menusqty 6
Flower arrangementsqty 3

Cleaning

Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Dish brushesqty 3
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Vacuum cleaner

Lighting

Table lampsqty 6
String lightsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Still mineral water - 24 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Whole wheat baguettes - 4 pieces
- White baguettes - 4 pieces
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Young cheese - 1 kilo
- Cervelat - 500 grams
- Turkey breast - 500 grams
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Bell peppers - 6 pieces
- Carrots - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 24 pieces
- Bananas - 24 pieces
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Salty breadsticks - 3 bags
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilo
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 3 boxes
- Olives - 3 jars
- Herb cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls

Tips

Allow one canvas, one paint set and one brush set per participant, plus at least 10% extra canvases and brushes for damaged or misplaced items.
Provide one water cup per painter and several shared mixing bowls and palettes. Put out extra water before the workshop starts so participants do not queue at the tap.
Order aprons for every participant and cover each work table before setting out the paint. Keep a few spare aprons available for late arrivals or spills.
Count tableware against the registration list rather than the room capacity: plan one coffee cup, glass, plate and cutlery set per person, plus around 10% extra.
Check extension cords and power strips before the day, especially if you use kettles, a coffee maker, lighting and a phone tripod in the same room. Keep drinks chilled in coolers and prepare the buffet table separately from the painting tables.

Frequently asked questions

How many painting supplies do I need per person?: Plan one canvas, one acrylic paint set, one brush set, one pencil, one eraser and one apron per participant. Add at least 10% extra canvases and brushes so a damaged item does not interrupt the workshop.
What should I buy for a beginner painting workshop?: Buy canvases, acrylic paint sets, brushes, mixing palettes, water cups, pencils, erasers and sharpeners. For a group of 20, start with 20 complete participant sets and add 2 extra sets of the most-used items.
How much tableware do I need for a painting workshop?: Use the confirmed participant count as your base: one coffee cup, glass, plate and cutlery set per person. Add 10% extra, so a group of 20 needs 22 of each frequently used item where possible.
When should I order painting workshop supplies?: Order the painting materials at least 1–2 weeks before the workshop. Check every box as soon as it arrives, leaving several days to replace missing canvases, paint colours, brushes or aprons.

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