Sip & Paint with Canvas Hues by Sulo
Being creative is an emotional balm, but often, being creative can seem intimidating. What if you don’t know how to draw or paint, or what if you do but you just can’t seem to push yourself?
This is where informal creative platforms like Sip and Paint come into play. To provide a casual environment where you can play creatively but still create a piece of art that you can take home with you. ‘Sip and Paint’ is literally what it sounds like; sipping your favourite drink (or wine) while painting your favourite picture. It’s a low-pressure creative activity that you can take part in either by yourself or with a group of friends.
The Sunday Morning Brunch chatted with marketer and artist Sulochana Perera, who recently launched her own version of Sip and Paint, Sip & Paint with Canvas Hues by Sulo.
Sip & Paint with Canvas Hues by Sulo
Sulochana shared with Brunch that Sip and Paint was a global concept that had been building momentum for some time abroad and even locally there had been several Sip & Paint events.
“I thought Sip and Paint was a nice concept to share with people,” she said. “I am an artist. I started art classes when I was eight or nine with Kumari de Alwis, one of the best teachers Sri Lanka has. She taught me realism in art, which I have discovered is the style I’m most comfortable with, and taught and guided me to becoming who I am today as an artist.
“Art is something I love and enjoy and it makes me happy to be able to give the same experience to others as well,” Sulochana said on what inspired her to create her own version of the Sip and Paint concept.
How Sip & Paint works
Taking shape in the format of a three-hour session (that can also be done virtually, though Sulochana stressed that the beauty of Sip & Paint was something that could only properly be felt physically), all that aspiring artists (or social artists as the case may be) needed to do was show up.
Sulochana prepares all the materials including easels, canvases, paint (acrylic paint because it dries quickly, is easy to use, and can easily be layered on top of), brushes, and the other little trappings that come with making art so that all that aspiring artists need to do is sit and paint. And sip, of course. All Sip and Paint sessions happen within a restaurant space, where food and wine also take centerstage. Sip & Paint is a creative sensory experience, where all artists are led by Sulochana in creating the painting they have chosen for that session.
“Sip & Paint is for anyone, whether you’re a professional artist or someone entirely new to it,” Sulochana explained, adding that many people were nervous about being good artists or not being able to paint, but that this did not matter for Sip & Paint because Sulochana herself was there to guide all artists and help them achieve the best painting possible.
“Sip & Paint is all about people having a good time. It’s not a class per se, I teach a few techniques in terms of light and shade and blending colours, but the objective is more about getting people to unwind while being creative, meet new faces, network, and get away from the monotony of daily life.”
Sulochana does help artists with areas they have difficulty, like, for example, drawing and colouring in faces. “It’s my first time teaching people art,” Sulochana shared, “and it feels really amazing to be able to share the joy of creating with others.”
A creative outlet in a chaotic world
Speaking on why it’s important to have informal art platforms, Sulochana explained that having a creative outlet, especially at a time when things around you were not ideal, really helped ground you even if it was the kind of thing you could only do once a month.
“I think all of us are caught up in this rat race, constantly running from work to other responsibilities in life. It’s really important for people to have these activities where they can slow down, take a breath, and live life while learning a new skill, meeting new people, and enjoying other people’s company,” Sulochana said. “Art is good for the soul and this is a great way of experiencing that.”