Creativity meets cocktails

From wine to mocktails, our sip and paint nights bring people together. A fun, relaxed way to get creative with friends, family, or workmates.

Sip, Paint, and Socialise!

Welcome to Sip&Paint with Michelle Douglas, where creativity meets fun! Our events are lively social gatherings held in a range of venues, from cosy pubs and buzzing bars to corporate spaces. Over two hours, you will create your own artwork with step by step guidance from our friendly artist host, who is on hand to offer tips and support. These events are about more than painting—they are about sharing laughter, enjoying a wholesome activity, and making memories. Grab your favourite drink, take a seat, and let the painting come to you.

We run regular face to face events across a variety of venues, and if you cannot join in person, our travel packs let you paint from home or give the experience as a gift. We also offer team building and festive Christmas events at corporate locations or with partner venues. If you are an artist, there is even an opportunity to run your own Sip&Paint with Michelle Douglas events through our franchise programme.

Book your event

Upcoming Events

We have a number of events coming up taking place all across Berkshire. If you would like to host your own event just fill out the form.

Reasons to love:

It’s A5 for a reason. We don’t inhibit your ability to chat and socialise by putting a large canvas in the way. We also know you can create a more detailed artwork in 2 hours on a smaller surface.
Our events are fun, relaxing and inclusive. All ages can create together so it’s a great team building exercise. The resulting artwork is small and easy to transport home.
No Plastic pots and unused paints to be thrown away. We create greetings cards so you can keep your freestanding artwork for yourself or gift it as a hand painted card created by you.
No tracing here! Create your own drawing by following the step by step tutorial. Everyone’s work will be their own unique interpretation of the subject.

You don’t have to wear an apron

we use watercolours so you don’t have to wear an unbecoming apron or old clothes to guard against acrylic paint splatters. We also benefit from being able to hold our events at great venues because they aren’t worried about their decor

We’re disability friendly. We hold events at venues with wheelchair friendly access. No need to keep getting out of your seat to watch tutorials because everyone gets their own tutorial sheet. This also suits those with hearing problems. Everyone is welcome

Meet Michelle

Michelle Douglas is an artist, children’s book author and illustrator who lives in Berkshire, UK with her Husband Steve, their dog Butler and ragdoll cat Dolly Pompom, who is named after the famous country singer Dolly Parton. Before becoming a full-time artist and the creator of the Ting series of children’s books Michelle had a long career in property and financial services. Her love of art and having experienced the satisfaction of teaching, led to her decision to create ‘Sip&Paint with Michelle Douglas’.

Michelle is an accomplished singer and in her spare time she sings in the acoustic duo; M&N and the country band; Lavender Moonshine.

What people say

”

Attending the Sip & Paint with Michelle evening was such a refreshing change of pace from the usual networking events I go to. The atmosphere was lively and relaxed, and it gave me a chance to connect with my team in a much more creative way than sitting around a meeting table. I am not usually the most confident when it comes to painting, but Michelle made the session so easy to follow and I actually surprised myself with the end result. Having a glass of wine while chatting and laughing through the process made it feel like the perfect mix of socialising and unwinding. I left with a greetings card I was proud of and a memory I know my team will be talking about for weeks. It was an experience that really brought us closer and it is something I would happily book again for clients or colleagues alike.

– Sophie M

”

I went along to a Sip & Paint night with my colleagues and I honestly did not know what to expect. It turned out to be one of the most fun evenings I have had in a long time. The music was great, the drinks were flowing, and Michelle had a brilliant way of explaining things that made the painting feel relaxed and enjoyable rather than stressful. It was really nice to see everyone laughing and having a go, even the people who said they could not draw a stick man at the start. The best part for me was just switching off after work and doing something totally different with the team. I walked out with a painting that is now hanging on my wall and a feeling that I had been part of something really uplifting. It was more than just a team night, it felt like proper time to unwind together.

– James L

”

When my friend suggested we book onto a Sip & Paint with Michelle night, I thought it sounded like a good laugh but I did not realise just how much fun it would be. From the moment we arrived the vibe was warm and welcoming, and it instantly felt like we were in for a good time. The drinks helped loosen everyone up but it was Michelle who really made the difference with her energy and encouragement. We spent the night chatting, joking and painting, and before we knew it the time had flown by. The best bit was seeing everyone’s paintings at the end and how different they all turned out even though we were following the same steps. It gave us all something to take home and a story to remember. It was such a perfect night out with friends and I would book another in a heartbeat!

– Rachel T

FAQs

Check out our frequently asked questions:

At our standard Sip and Paint with Michelle Douglas events each attendee will be provided with a plastic wallet containing the materials required for use during the event.  These are a HB pencil, eraser, watercolour paint set and brush, 300g watercolour card, tuition sheet and water resistant black pen. You are not therefore required to bring anything in addition to this, other than money to purchase any drinks or food you require and a smile.

We use watercolour paints for our events, rather than acrylic paint.  This is because it does not stain in the same way that acrylic or oil paint can.  It is therefore preferred by our venues who would otherwise be concerned about their decor.  This also means that you don’t have to wear an apron and can attend in your normal clothes.  There is always a potential for staining however from use of the black pen, as there is from any ink, so bear this in mind when choosing your outfit.

We will bring tablecoverings on request.  Please make this clear when you book.

We like to add to the subjects we have available and would appreciate your suggestions. We will create bespoke subjects for events of 10 or more people.

Sip and Paint with Michelle Douglas events do not include any food or drink unless specifically specified..  Our events  are usually held in venues who sell drinks and often food also.  You are welcome and encouraged to purchase these during the events. For larger groups it may be advisable to preorder.

We want you to enjoy your experience.  There is no pressure to create a perfect picture.  We provide you with a step by step breakdown of how to create the image and additional instruction on how to use the watercolours from the artist on hand.  Some attendees haven’t tried to create any art since school 30+ years ago and are pleasantly surprised by what they have created.  You may surprise yourself and find your inner artist.  Just relax and enjoy the experience. 

We hold regular monthly events at some venues.  Other frequencies vary.  Please check our In-person events page on this website, our Facebook group or Eventbrite for all upcoming dates and events.

We use watercolour paints.  Should you wish to hold an event using pencils, pastels, acrylic paint on canvas, alcohol inks or pens then please contact us directly to discuss.  There may be an additional change for a Sip and paint with Michelle Douglas event using mediums other than watercolour.

We love kids! Unfortunately this is not an event suited to young children.  If your child is a teenager, and you will be accompanying them so you can experience the event together then we’d love to have them along.  Please also confirm with the venue, prior to booking your tickets, that they are agreeable to your child attending as some venues are over 18.

Your dog can paint?!! If you have one of those well behaved dogs that will sit quietly under the table for two hours (unlike mine!) then we have no objection to you bringing your dog.  Please also confirm with the venue prior to booking your tickets, that they are agreeable to your dog attending as some venues do not allow animals.

The event is 2 hours.  The artist host arrives half an hour before.  You are welcome to approach the artist to let them know you are in attendance, sign in and collect your pack, 15 minutes before the advertised start time.

We allow up to half an hour after the advertised finish time for attendees to finish their artwork.  If you have not finished during this time you are welcome to purchase a paint set and/or pen to take home to finish at home.

We have over 60 subjects.  One of these subjects will be chosen for each event and displayed on the advertising.  You are welcome to change the subject to any of the alternatives available however as long as you give the host artist at least 4 days notice to ensure that they can get the correct tuition sheet for you.  Please specify on booking if you wish to choose an alternative subject other than the default.

Ooh exciting! What did you have in mind?  We have created a Mamma Mia themed event for a hen do where the ladies paint tote bags to take to the beach.  We have adapted the sip and paint event to teach attendees Michelle’s unique way of live event sketching.  We have attended a Scout group so that the scouts can fulfill their artists badge.  We’ve been to a school for World Book day and Michelle taught the children how to paint Ting her octopus character.  We are always keen to try new things so get in contact and we will be pleased to chat through some options and ideas.

Our home is in Bracknell Forest, Berkshire so many of the events we host are in the Berkshire area.  We have run an event in Poole however and are happy to travel subject to minimum attendee numbers and travel costs being met.  You do have the option to purchase our ‘paint at home’ packs and use the online videos.

Yes.  If you are an individual who would like to earn some money running sip and paint with Michelle Douglas events yourself please contact us for information.  If you are a venue and are looking to run sip and paint events we would love to hear from you.  You would buy multiple numbered packs from us and benefit from becoming a sip and paint partner.  Your advert will be created by us and emailed to you as a .pdf to run off and display at your venue..  Your event will be advertised here on our In-person events page, on our Facebook group and  on eventbrite,.  Contact us for full details.

Each venue is unique.  We put the website address of each venue in the advert on our In-person events page so that you can check their own website for details such as parking availability, public transport and their menu.

Our sip and paint events have been designed to be as disability friendly as possible.  Everyone has their own tuition sheet so those who are hard of hearing can follow the step by step instructions.  Once you have taken your seat there is no need to keep getting up and down to be shown next steps, the artist host will come to you.  Some of our venues have ramp access for wheelchairs, wide doors, level floors and disabled toilets.  Please contact us to tell us what you need and we can talk about the venues to find somewhere suitable.

Got another question not covered above?