Unleash your inner Picasso with a tipple in hand at these boozy art classes.
Ever found yourself in a creative rut? The paint brush might be poised in your very fingertips, but the imaginative flare is trapped in vault, refusing to surface. Well here to get those juices flowing is this latest social trend – boozy art classes. Popping up over Sydney and Melbourne, these ‘sip and paint’ studios encourage both Picasso wannabes and first-timers to get involved over a glass (or bottle) of something special, socialise and produce some creative masterpieces. Think of it as liquid courage!
Ruinart Sketch Club, Museum of Contemporary Art (no longer available)
After last year’s sell out sessions, the MCA are bringing back their highly popular Ruinart Sketch Club. Champagne and art lovers alike will relish this indulgent 2-hour sketching workshop, led by Sydney artist Will French. Inspired by the Museum’s popular program Sundown Sketch Club, guests will get to use a diverse range of fine art materials, having their hand at still life drawing. Given the opportunity to sample both Ruinart Brut and Ruinart Rosé with cheese, sketch the evening away whilst overlooking Sydney Harbour’s stunning backdrop. No prior sketching experienced is required!
Date: Weds 21st, 28th Feb, 14th, 28th March and 11th April – 7pm to 8:45pm.
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George St The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000
Tickets: $69 ($55 for MCA Members and Concession). Bookings are essential.
Website: For more information or to book online, visit mca.com.au.
Cork and Chroma, Sydney
Vino enthusiasts and aspiring artists are welcomed with open arms at Surry Hills’ very own BYO art studio. Simply bring your own favourite bottle of wine, and they’ll provide everything else you need for a fun and feel good painting session. In a relaxed studio setting, you’ll learn some of the basic techniques of painting with acrylics on canvas, before you’re left to unleash your inner artiste. In between sips of wine and funky tunes, one of Cork and Chroma’s artists will take you through the whole process step by step. By the end of the night, even the self-proclaimed ‘non creative’ guests will have created a masterpiece to take home!
Date: Cork and Chroma host sip and paint sessions Monday-Sunday
Location: 55 Holt Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Tickets: $48-$60 depending on session time
Website: to find out more and book tickets, be sure to jump on the website here
Cork and Canvas, Melbourne
Travel a little further south and it seems Melbournians aren’t excluded from this creative BYO art class venture. At Cork and Canvas, you’re invited to create your own masterpiece over the course of a few hours at their South Melbourne studio. In-house artists will be there to paint along with you, demonstrating step-by-step how to paint whilst you sip on a glass of your favourite wine. We’ll cheers to that.
Details
Location: South Melbourne – 206 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne, Vic 3205
Tickets: prices range from $45-$60
Website: to find out more and book tickets, be sure to jump on the website here
Cork and Canvas, Sydney
Having had resounding success in Melbourne, the Cork & Canvas crew recently set up shop in Sydney with a brand new paint and sip studio. Situated in the heart of Darlinghurst (conveniently opposite a bottle shop), patrons are invited to enjoy a fun and entertaining art experience, painting and socialising with friends whilst sipping on a glass or two of their favourite wine or bubbles. Here, there’s no artistic experience required and guests are encouraged to unleash their inner artist to create a stunning masterpiece of their own
Details
Location: 106 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
Tickets: prices range between $50-60
Website: to find out more and book tickets, be sure to jump on the website here
Watercolour Whisky
Taking the glorious amalgamation of booze and art one step further is Phil Betts, a man who reviews single malt whiskys before painting the bottles themselves! He may not host any boozy art classes per say, but his reviews are masterfully witty, eloquent and down right amazing.
Have a read of this whisky he reviewed and later painted for yourself:
‘The Lagavulin 2015 (Feis Ile 24 Year Old, Bottle #122) is the greatest whisky I’ve ever had”
“If I were to try and describe the sensory experience (which is kind of the point of these reviews), it’s like being wrapped in a blanket by a campfire on a beach while drinking the blackest espresso and smoking a cigar dipped in maple syrup. Oh, and your blanket is on fire”.
Keen to read more? Jump onto his blog here