Get Arty – PopUp Painting

I am a big kid at heart and just love anything fun and quirky.  So, when I heard about PopUp Painting I was excited about the prospect of trying to paint a proper piece of art with a paintbrush in one hand and a glass of prosecco in another.

To be honest though I have not painted properly for a long time as the only painting I seem to do now days is with my niece who is six and let’s just say my art is more on the lines of stick men and unicorns. 

So, when I was invited down on a complimentary basis along with another member of Love Pop Ups London (Chelsea) to have some fun in painting I was certainly not going to let this opportunity brush on by.

PopUp Painting

PopUp Painting popped up back in 2013 with their take on social painting classes.  Social painting classes have been popular over the world for a number of years but there was not any in the UK at the time. 

PopUp Painting became the first company in the UK to introduce the concept of taking art out of the galley and making art accessible to all.  They have a number of classes which pop up all over the UK on various dates throughout the year from bars to workplaces.

All their classes are themed around masterpieces such as Van Gogh and Banksy and accompanying soundtracks are played throughout the classes.  

With all their classes it is about having fun so it does not matter if you are a professional or not as it is about letting your creativity flow and having fun with paint.

PopUp Painting invites you to unleash your creativity –
wine glass in one hand, paintbrush in the other!
No experience needed.

They want to give people a different night out, that lets you unleash your creativity while having a good time with friends or meeting new people.

Paint London & Prosecco

I attended one of PopUp Painting classes on a Tuesday evening to learn how to paint London Skyline whilst also enjoying a glass of prosecco.  Note not all their classes come with Prosecco so when looking through their events it will clearly state if it does include it or not.  However, you can take your own drinks along most of their classes.   

London Skyline

London Skyline is the work of Rebecca Hunter. She is an artist who works and lives in London.  She studied at Camberwell College of Art & Design and has her own studio based in South London.

Rebecca’s paintings are a combination of reality and imagination, giving her work a surreal and dream-like quality. She paints places she’s been to, and works from sketches and photographs.

London Skyline was the very first painting that she created and taught to others for PopUp Painting classes.

Let’s get arty

The workshop on the night was held within WeWork space within the area of Liverpool Street in London.  Upon entering the building and classroom I noticed two rows of blank canvases, paintbrushes and easels and there sat in the corner was Chelsea with her drink of Prosecco in one hand and paint brush in the other.

At front of the class was Rebecca’s creative piece of art of the London Skyline.

Before we could start painting though we were firstly introduced to our teacher for the night who was called Wyland and comes from France.  He joked with us all and said instead of us painting London Skyline let’s paint Frances Skyline instead but then he said we could though be as abstract as we liked and even make up a skyline of our own creation.

Time to paint

Whilst painting with a glass of prosecco in one hand and a paintbrush in the other there was also London inspired music being played in the background to get our creative juices flowing.

With a splat hear and there it was on with my piece of art.

Wyland would show us different techniques in using the paint brushes to create a similar replica to the London Skyline piece of art if we so wished to copy it like for like.

However as this class is all about having fun you can paint anyway you like as it is all about having fun, putting your own twist to your own art work and meeting new people.

Half way through there is a break so the back colours can dry before paining on the landscape of London.  It was also a great opportunity to see what other people in the class had painted which was a real variety.

After about two hours we were all done.  Well that is a slight lie as I had finished mine about 20 minutes before everyone else but then I am a little in patient and always like to get things done quickly and before anyone else.  

This is mine and Chelsea’s masterpieces.

My piece of art is called Chaotic London and Chelsea named her art work Starry London.  

With all our paintings now complete it was time for a group photo. As you can see everyone’s were all very different.

Before heading off home with our art work we also grabbed a photo with Wyland who was such a great teacher.

As the canvas is quite large, I wouldn’t recommend adventuring anywhere else after but home.

Competition results  

I posted out Chelsea and my artwork on Instagram to see who’s was the better art and the results were

Well done Chelsea.

Paintastic

The whole experience was great fun and I would definitely think about doing it again one day.  It is certainly a great way to spend a night with friends as it is really relaxing and super fun.  Also, a great alternate for a date night.  

All in all, this was a great valued night.

Paint now

To discover and book onto one of the upcoming events with PopUp Painting click here. All classes vary in cost depending on location.

All their classes typically last two and a half hours, including a break.

All art supplies will be included on the night (paint, brushes, easels, blank canvas and apron)

Plus, guidance from a qualified and practicing artist.

Also, a themed playlist to immerse you into the experience.

Thank you PopUp Painting for inviting me and another of Love Pop Ups London come down to brush the night away. This experience was complimentary but all views are my own honest opinion.

Click link below to read the other bloggers blog.

PopUp Painting