Disclosure: I was sent samples from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
Back when COVID first hit and everything shut down, I liked seeing so many things pop up online for families to do together, most for free. From cooking and baking classes, story time read-a-longs, to drawing and paint a-longs. It was a way for family and friends to connect and come together and still have that sense for closeness, even if we were miles apart and couped up in our homes. As time went on, and the world started to open back up and get back to normal, some of these fun online COVID activities continued for many, as they found it a great way to stay in touch and have something to look forward to. I found that during COVID, I was able to spend more time with family and friends even if we weren't in the same room. We would jump on Zoom and play games, cook and enjoy meals together, watch movies together, craft, draw and do fun paint-a-longs. Many of us weren't artists, but it was a great way to unwind after a busy work and school week, and catch up. I went from hosting in-house game nights on the weekends pre-COVID to now coordinating fun post-COVID online meetups for my girls and their friends and for our friends and family as a whole. I was surprised at how so many people wanted to keep these meetups going, and still to this they are going strong.
Like I mentioned, paint a-longs were a hit with everyone, no matter your artistic ability. There were so many art studios and art teachers offering Facebook live events or affordable evening and weekend paint events. I really liked how I didn't have to rush around to get to an art studio just to paint. Instead, I could enjoy dinner with the family around the table, and then clear the table and prep our own art supplies before jumping on the computer to participate in these virtual events. And, when birthdays and holidays like Christmas rolled around, I would book private virtual art classes and invite family and friends to participate over zoom. I would order supplies and either send through Amazon directly to them, or put together individual boxes and then mail It was a lot of work on my end to prep this stuff even if I wasn't teaching the class, but I knew fun would be had all by all, so I didn't mind. If only there was a service or business out there that would help make these virtual paint-a-longs with family and friends more convenient. I did find a few different options online, but I kept finding myself going back to Painting 4 Real. What I really liked about this business, next to it being family-owned and woman-founded and run, is that it was affordable and offered custom-designed painting kits with step-by-step video tutorials for all ages and skill levels. The video tutorials were done by BFA artist Allision Crary, and she like the famous Bob Ross, will make anyone believe in their artistic ability and be proud of their beautiful wall art they create. No formal art training of any kind needed -- and, that is from someone who messes up stick people drawings. :-)
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Each and every art kit is meticulously curated with high-quality art supplies and materials. I can't tell you how many times I ordered painting kits off Amazon only to find they came with cheap, watery paints, missing brushes or paint colors, or just poorly made. Sometimes the canvas art didn't look like the product listing, or would be much smaller. And, ones that said they were for all ages really weren't for kids to do, unless they wanted to be stressed out and get discouraged with the painting process. But, this was the total opposite when I was sent two sample painting kits from Painting 4 Real to try out. You could really tell this family-run business really had a passion for art and making the experience an enjoyable one for families and those looking to relax and create without feeling they need to be an artist to create a masterpiece.
While there are so many in person paint-a-long opportunities, I would prefer to stay at home and just hop on a zoom call with others, or even just sit around the dining room table and do an art kit like this one with my girls. The less stressful the better, and by taking the driving to a location, having to follow along or feel rushed during the artistic process, and then having to drive home, it is just more enjoyable for me.
This upcoming Christmas I am planning anther virtual paint night with family and friends like I have been doing since COVID first hit. It really is a fun night as well not only celebrate the holiday season together, but catch up and enjoy time together. We all order door dash for each other (the surprise is seeing what others get for us to eat), and then we do a Secret Santa and sent a gift via Amazon that we each take turns opening during the call. Sometimes we will bake up a mug cake to enjoy together, before diving into our art project. This year, instead of looking online for past FB lives of Christmas-themed paint-a-longs, I plan to have everyone order a kit from Painting 4 Real for only $29.99 each, that way we can all watch the video tutorial and paint our pieces together, before showing them off and seeing how everyone did.
My daughter and I recently did the two samples we were sent from Painting 4 Real, and loved the experience. I was sent the tree girl and the Christmas reindeer, both that are perfect for the upcoming holidays and great for a family paint night or to do a similar virtual paint night like I talked about.
We really liked how easy it was to follow along with the video tutorial, and how we could pause it or go back if need me. Each of the kits (depending on the design you choose), will include a canvas panel, graphite paper to trace the drawing on --so don't worry if the design looks too complicated, as you will trace it on the canvas and then fill in the lines. You also get color paint tubes and white paint, all the brushes you need, a painter palette to mix colors, an outline, and reference card which I really liked and appreciated, as I like to see the final product next to me as I work along the steps. The instructor also had the reference card on the screen in her videos and had herself on camera on the side so you felt like you were being led by a teacher even if you weren't in person, as well as a camera positioned on her canvas, so you could follow along with every brush stroke.
In about an hour or so (give more time to let your painting dry), we were able to go from a blank canvas to a beautiful and festive work of art that we were proud to display on our bookcase with our other canvases we have painted over the years and switch up with the seasons. My daughter is more artistic with me and spends her free time doodling and sketching, so I knew she wouldn't have any issues with the painting. She really liked how this picture was detailed, but so easy to paint. Trees have always been hard for her to paint, but she said after doing this painting tutorial she is more confident with painting them, and is eager to try out more tree art on her own.
While I did have a few flub ups on mine, I was able to pause the video, use a blow dryer to dry the paint, and then went over in the white paint, so that I could go back and correct the antlers as they didn't look even to me. In the end, when I stepped back to take a look at my final piece, I was proud at what I completed. Art doesn't have to be stressful and should be a fun experience, and thanks to the Painting 4 Real kits that come with everything you need, including an easy to follow along video tutorial taught by an artist with an art degree, you can't go wrong. And, the pricing for the kits are affordable, making them perfect to or a few for a fun family paint night at home, as you gear up for the upcoming holiday season. Or, if you wanted to do a virtual girls' night and add a fun paint a-long to the mix, Painting 4 Real has some really fun designs that would make for a memorable girls' night.
I could go on and on about how much fun these painting kits from Painting 4 Real are. But, I am betting that many of you did some form of art or painting through virtual meetups or Facebook lives during Covid, so you know how much fun they are. If you didn't, then you really missed up...but, can now experience the fun we all had and continue to have, by picking up a painting kit or two, or three from Painting 4 Real. They will supply you with everything so you aren't running to the craft store or looking around for the right paint colors or brushes. Just find a cozy place to settle in and give yourself at least an hour to enjoy the painting process. You will be amazed at just how talented you are, once you see your final work of art. I, for one, can't wait to see what you create, so please share your art with me or tag me if sharing on your socials.
And, with the holidays fast approaching, a painting kit from Painting 4 Real would make for a great gift idea for tweens, teens, kids away at college, seniors at home, or those who love artsy gifts or doing crafts. These kits are a great way to help you relax and enjoy the festive time of year, while taking time just for you. So, head on over to the Painting 4 Real website and browse their new and popular kits available. There are so many to choose from -- so be warned -- you may find yourself filling your cart with kits before you settle on just the right ones for you, your family or to gift this holiday season. Right now you can save 25% OFF 3+ ITEMS by entering code HOLIDAYS25 at checkout. :-) Happy painting!
Disclosure: I was sent samples from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
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