Behind the Easel: What It’s Really Like Running a Paint & Sip Studio
– Part 1
Before the Brushes — How We Prep for a Paint & Sip Night
When most people arrive at Stroke of Genius in downtown Waukesha, they’re stepping into a cozy, cheerful space filled with upbeat music, the clink of glasses, and the excitement of creating something fun. What they don’t see is the hours of prep that happen long before the first paintbrush touches canvas.
Running a paint and sip studio is about more than just painting — it’s about creating a full experience from start to finish. Here’s what it takes to get ready for one single night of painting magic.
Planning the Calendar and Choosing the Paintings
Everything starts weeks in advance with one big question: What should we paint? Each weekend’s classes are planned out carefully. We consider seasonality, popularity, and whether the painting works well for both beginners and regulars.
Some nights are “open paint” where guests pick from a selection. Other nights are step-by-step classes, where we choose one painting and guide everyone through it together. It might look spontaneous, but every painting on our calendar is chosen with intention.
Private parties add an extra layer — people often request specific paintings or themes, which means we’re customizing each event to fit their vibe, group size, and time slot.
View the calendar we make and sign up here:
https://paintwinestudio.com/calendar
Studio Set-Up: More Than Just Paint and Easels
Opening the studio means transforming it into a space that’s clean, functional, and fun.
We turn on the lights, fill the ice bucket, put on some upbeat music, and start laying everything out:
Aprons and smocks
Pre-stretched canvases
Clean water cups and paper towels
A full brush set for each painter
Paint palettes with all the essential colors
Each guest spot is carefully arranged to be ready and inviting the moment they walk in.
Prepping the Painting Process
Next, we hang up the featured painting and break it down like a chef prepping for a cooking class.
We ask ourselves:
What’s the easiest way to explain this?
What order should we paint in so it builds smoothly?
What colors do we need, and can we mix them from the basics?
Which brush works best for each section?
We always work from background to foreground — that might mean painting a sky first, then adding distant mountains, trees, and final foreground details like flowers, buildings, or silhouettes. The idea is to keep it simple enough for everyone to follow, but dynamic enough to feel like real art.
Ready, Set... Paint!
By the time guests arrive, everything is in place. The supplies are ready, the painting is chosen, and we’re ready to walk them through every step — wine glass in one hand, paintbrush in the other.
It might look effortless, but it’s all thanks to careful planning and behind-the-scenes hustle. And honestly? We love it.
Stay tuned for Part 2: Teaching the Art of Fun — What It’s Like Leading a Class at Stroke of Genius.