Hey friend! If you’ve been thinking about hosting your very first paint party, but your nerves are getting the best of you…deep breath. You can do this!

I’ve been where you are — wondering if I was “qualified enough” to teach others, and nervous about what might go wrong. But I’m here to tell you that you can absolutely do this. It might just become your favorite way to connect with others and share your love of painting!

Let’s walk through some of the most common myths I hear about hosting a paint party, so you can hit the ground running, even if you don’t feel ready. 

Myth #1: I’m Not Good Enough to Teach Others

This one right here is the biggest hang-up for most painters. You might be thinking, “I’m no professional. I barely know what I’m doing half the time!” But guess what? You don’t have to be a professional to guide others.

When I hosted my very first paint party, the project was simple and far from fancy, but the guests still had a great time painting together. 

The truth is, people aren’t expecting you to be perfect. They just want someone to lead the way, offer encouragement, and help them if they get stuck. If you’ve painted the design you’ll be teaching before,  you already know more than they do — and that’s enough!

Myth #2: The Design Has to Be Complicated to Be Impressive

This is another big hangup. Often, people think that if a design is more complex, it shows you know what you’re doing. But you don’t have to pick something complicated. In fact, the simpler, the better!

A detailed or overly intricate design can actually intimidate your guests. You want them to feel confident, not overwhelmed.

Choose something that’s easy to teach and easy to finish in one sitting. Popular choices are mason jars, sunflowers, or other seasonal favorites with limited colors and steps. 

And remember, if you feel confident walking through it, your guests will, too.

Myth #3: I Don’t Have Time to Host Paint Parties

We’re all juggling a lot, no matter where you are in life. Jobs, kids, grandkids, responsibilities. But hosting paint parties doesn’t mean you’re signing up for a new full-time job. You get to decide what this looks like for you!

So if it’s something you really want to do, you can still make time for it without it taking over your entire schedule. 

Some hosts run one paint party every few months, others do them monthly, and some just throw one or two a year. It’s totally up to you! Find a rhythm that fits your life and keeps things fun so you don’t burn yourself out.

Quick Tips for Hosting Your First Paint Party

Get Paid in Advance

To avoid no-shows, ask your guests to pay when they sign up for your paint party. Venmo is great, or you can have the event host/organizer handle collecting payments. You’ve already bought supplies, so make it clear there are no refunds for cancellations. 

Otherwise, you’ll end up losing some of your hard-earned money!

Pick a Location That Works for You

You don’t need a studio! Use your kitchen table, a church fellowship hall, community center, library, or even the backyard. 

However, most of the time, the paint party host will choose the place, so you won’t have to worry about it! Just make sure it’s a location that’s a reasonable distance for you, and keep in mind that you’ll need to arrive early to prep.

Bulk Purchase Wood Blanks

You’re usually expected to provide the wood blanks, as most paint party attendees are complete beginners. If you don’t want to cut them all out yourself (even though this is a great option to cut down on costs), you can bulk purchase your blanks!

You can even start with Dollar Tree shapes, canvases, or purchase blanks in our shop!

Find Your Teaching Style

Not a fan of speaking in front of large groups? You don’t have to. During your paint party, you can work on a more one-on-one basis, walking around giving verbal tips, providing written instructions at each seat, or just be available for questions. Guests will appreciate your help either way!

Embrace the Imperfection

This is something we ALL have to learn to embrace, even as pros! It’s “fun art,” not “fine art!” 

Mistakes will happen. That’s part of the fun. People aren’t looking for perfection, they’re looking to have a good time painting with their friends. If you can provide that, that’s the experience they’ll remember. 

Plus…baby wipes can fix a lot!

Don’t Forget Photos

Don’t forget to take a few photos — before, during, and after to show off the final results. Capture it all! Photos of happy guests and their finished door hangers are great memories and are excellent for marketing for your next paint party.

My Best Advice? Just Start.

Any time you’re doing something new, you’re never going to feel 100% ready. If you wait to be “the best” at this, you’re going to miss out on all the fun paint parties have in store for you!

Start small, invite a few friends over, and keep it laid back. But just start! You’ve got this, and I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.

Need extra help setting your first paint party in motion?

Stock up on all the paint party essentials in the shop: We’ve got blanks, templates, and brushes to help you out. You can also take a look here at all the supplies I use to make door hangers.