Painting with a Twist

Like the way those pictures along the walls of the shop look? Cool, because yours will look nothing like them.
I’m an absolute noob to painting. I went with a friend to Painting with a Twist (PWAT) twice. The first time was actually meant as a kids’ lesson and it was a nice leisurely class. The result was different from the sample, but a reasonable enough approximation.
The second time I joined my friend for an evening class. This was a very different experience. There were around 50 of us in a room with one instructor and one helper that spent much of his time staging photos of the participants. There was loud music. Everyone was drinking. And the worst part was that we were rushed through our projects. Some of us didn’t have time to finish and many of us were unhappy with the results. We were told there was some free SOS class for coming back later to fix the paintings but it’s not listed on the schedule of events. I cant’ find it anywhere on the website.
It was something to do with one of my friends for 2 hours. However at $ 35 each, it was a bit expensive for being rushed through a project we’re not happy with. The experience at PWAT was frustrating and far from relaxing. We’d have done better to purchase a couple of really awesome bottles of wine and visit an art gallery (which is probably what we’ll do the next time we want to hang out).
If you have lots of experience with painting, work very fast, and need an instructor only to suggest the next step, PWAT is the place for you. Alternatively, if you don’t care what gets put up on your canvas and just want to hang out with your friends with drinks for 2 hours, this might be the place for you. If you’re a complete noobie (like me) who wants something close to the sample painting, needs instruction, requires feedback, and needs time to work through a project, this is not the place for you.

My friends and co-​workers have went here and had a GREAT time! It was fun, cool, and a different thing to do! Anyone who is feeling creative and wants to hang with friends somewhere other than a bar scene, check it out! You may be suprised at how AWESOME your painting skills are!
Love this place,
The Element at University Park

A wonderful place to have a great afternoon with friends! I had so much fun, and the employees are helpful without being overbearing and are complimentary, instructive, and encouraging. I’ll definitely be coming back!

Is it just me, or have these places become exponentially more popular in the past few months? I just feel bad for all the boyfriends who are dragged to these events: P
It’s a unique concept. You pick a painting and a time from their scheduler online, bring any food and/​or drinks (wine is the norm), and you show up to paint! They provide the canvas, easel, paint supplies… plus cups and a bottle opener for your drinks! Most classes are 2 hours and $ 35/​person.
No worries, a teacher will be there to guide you through the painting step-​by-​step. Honestly, I thought our teacher moved a bit fast, but I am a noob at painting/​drawing/​anything art related. I liked that the teacher came around and gave everyone compliments. Made me feel better about my crappy painting haha
All in all, it’s a good time! They also have a private room for bday parties etc