A picture of success - how Paint and Sip events became a North East hit

An invitation to get creative over a glass of wine, or several, is being snapped up across the North East as the popularity of Paint and Sip parties soar.

The inspired social events - where groups paint pictures, chat, have a drink and listen to music - are proving a heady mix for many, including hen parties looking for something a little different to do as part of their celebrations. And the owner of a local paint and sip company, who has seen bookings take off across the North East, always knew that the idea would appeal from the off.

Ollie Stead set up The Paint and Sip Party Co. in 2018, having spotted an online news item earlier that year that sparked his interest. "I read about a new sort of craze becoming very popular in America and it seemed a fun way to spend some leisure time," he says.

• Read More: The Hoppings' organisers respond to cancellation fears

• Get all the latest North East updates with our free What’s On newsletter

"So I did a bit of research over here." He found there were a couple of companies doing similar events in London and Manchester "but there was nowhere around Newcastle."

Ollie, from Seaton Delaval in Northumberland, who in the past has lived in several places and once worked as a DJ in Miami, set about planning paint and sip events and in the summer of 2018 arranged his first at Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead - which remains the only paint and sip venue where guests can take along their own drinks and snacks. And since then Ollie has perfected the 'art'.

The 55-year-old provides all the art materials his guests will need - acrylic paints of every colour; 10 by 12-inch stretched canvasses and a whole load of ideas in terms of the range of pictures he takes along to inspire guests, although they sometimes choose to bring favourites of their own to copy. He's not an artist himself but will have on hand a local artist - he now has four who share party dates - not that these are art lessons.

The artists don't teach: they are there to offer guidance and encouragement and, if needed, to boost confidence. After the launch of Ollie's parties, which expanded to other host venues and wider locations, there came Covid, bringing them all to an end.

Self-employed Ollie was hit hard. Once everyone emerged from lockdown, and restrictions finally lifted, it was like having to start again.

But he did and there followed similar success. "Since then they've got really popular," he says of the events. As word spread, he started getting approached direct by new venues, keen to play host.

Locations now include Newcastle bars such as Banyan; Above at The Vermont and, a new addition, Pleased To Meet You plus Linskill Centre in North Shields and coastal spots in a programme which covers locations from Morpeth to Durham, with the furthest he once hosted being in Teesside.

The company offers corporate hires too and will visit businesses where paint and sip parties make a change for staff from the usual team-building days, although colleagues can have a tendency to be competitive even when painting, he's noticed.

Ollie has done around 450 events, bringing an incredible 10,000 through the doors. In June alone, he has around 19 socials coming up, with 20-25 people booked in each. He's even had attendances of 35.

Their popularity, he believes, is down to the fact the 16-plus events offer a couple of hours of relaxation and good fun. Alongside a chance to be creative, that social element, with its chill-out vibe, is just as important.

"It can be more a social gathering than an arts class," says Ollie. Those who attend are almost always female: "97% who buy tickets are women. In most of the places I'm the only man."

He provides music at each event and guests can enjoy a drink, although not always as it depends upon the venue. The events may differ slightly in how they operate - some venues may lay on snacks or a buffet for instance - but guests can pick and choose from what's on offer on the website when they book.

With parties, which are usually focused around lunchtimes and afternoons from Thursday to Sunday, being popular with hen parties, Ollie admits the painting can go out the window a bit when the wine kicks in - but who cares.

At the events "the average age is late twenties to early thirties," he says, but the range covers forties and fifties and for some who have not picked up a paint brush since school the experience can be a revelation, rekindling an interest in art. For some, delighted with the personal masterpiece they are taking home, the have been provided with all the encouragement they need to resume an old hobby.

Ollie has been amazed at some of the results he's seen and the talent on display, even asking some attendees if they were professional. "The quality can be really high," he says.

Other paint and sip companies' events have popped up locally but Ollie appears ahead of the game, already thinking up variations on a successful theme. He already include the likes of raffles and spot prizes and he has ideas to add events with extra attractions such as comedians and seasonal versions such as a Halloween special.

For more about the company and what's on offer see here.