What you need for a painting workshop

A painting workshop needs more than canvases and paint. Plan one complete workstation per participant, plus shared cleaning, drying and serving equipment. Buy or collect the painting supplies early enough to prepare each place before guests arrive. Check registrations and dietary requirements before ordering catering, and leave time to chill drinks, make coffee and set up the tables.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 20
Presentation table
Coat racksqty 2

Painting supplies

Painting canvasesqty 20
Easelsqty 20
Acrylic paint setsqty 20
Small brushesqty 40
Brushes mediumqty 40
Large brushesqty 20
Mixing palettesqty 20
Water bowlsqty 20
Pencilsqty 25
Erasersqty 20
Palette knivesqty 20
Painting apronsqty 20
Drying racksqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Masking tapeqty 6
Palette knivesqty 20

Tableware

Drinking glassesqty 30
Coffee cupsqty 25
Platesqty 25
Cutlery setsqty 25

Kitchen

Coffee maker
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 3
Serving traysqty 4
Coolersqty 3

Equipment

Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

Standing lampsqty 4

Decorations

Table runnersqty 6
Name badgesqty 20
Pensqty 25

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Sponge clothsqty 12
Trash binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea selection - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Beer - 24 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Rosé - 3 bottles
- Red wine - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Tortilla chips - 3 bags
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Guacamole - 3 tubs
- Salsa sauce - 3 jars
- Cucumber - 4 pieces
- Carrots - 2 bags
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 trays
- Grapes - 3 bunches
- Apples - 20 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Strawberries - 4 tubs
- Mini wraps - 40 pieces
- Hummus wraps - 20 pieces
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Brie - 3 pieces
- Vegetarian spreads - 4 tubs
- Crackers - 5 packs
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 packs
- Herb butter - 3 tubs
- Olives - 3 jars
- Unsalted nuts - 3 bags
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Brownies - 30 pieces
- Chocolate - 6 bars
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Hand soap - 2 dispensers
- Kitchen gloves - 2 pairs

Tips

Plan one canvas, one easel, one acrylic paint set and one apron per participant. Add a small spare supply of each before shopping in case of damage or last-minute registrations.
Provide several brush sizes at every workstation: small, medium and large brushes. Keep pencils, erasers, mixing palettes and water bowls within easy reach rather than on a central table.
Arrange drying racks before the workshop starts. Wet paintings need a safe place immediately after the session, and masking tape, cleaning cloths and palette knives are easy to overlook until setup begins.
Match plates, cutlery sets and drinking glasses to the final participant count, then add a few extras. Prepare coffee and tea separately with the coffee maker, kettles and thermos flasks so refreshments do not compete with the painting area.
Cover the tables before placing supplies and keep coolers away from canvases and electrical equipment. Collect or check the Bluetooth speaker, lighting and route information at least one day before the workshop.

Frequently asked questions

What supplies do I need for a painting workshop?: For each participant, plan a canvas, easel, acrylic paint set, apron, small, medium and large brushes, mixing palette and water bowl. Shared supplies include pencils, erasers, palette knives, drying racks, cleaning cloths and masking tape.
How many painting supplies do I need per person?: Use one complete workstation per registered participant: one canvas, one easel, one paint set and one apron. Provide at least one small, one medium and one large brush per person, then add a few spare items for breakage or late changes.
When should I buy supplies for a painting workshop?: Check your existing inventory at least 7 days before the workshop and order missing painting supplies immediately. Finish shopping and collect the supplies no later than 1 day before, so materials can be prepared per participant.
What do I need for drinks and catering at a painting workshop?: Plan plates, cutlery sets and drinking glasses for the registered group, with a few extras. Set aside coffee cups, a coffee maker, kettles, thermos flasks, serving trays and coolers, and confirm dietary requirements before ordering catering.

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