Art, Atmosphere and a Great Sunday at BrewDog 🎨

There’s something slightly daunting about sitting in front of a blank canvas — even with a drink in hand — but that was all part of the appeal.

The event was hosted by The Hungry Brush, who run a wide range of creative sessions across Milton Keynes. As we arrived, the BrewDog team welcomed us with big, friendly smiles and let us know the event would be taking place in their upstairs event space. After being encouraged to grab a drink first, we were off to a great start.

BrewDog offers a huge selection of beers, along with a couple of excellent ciders on tap. For those not drinking beer, there are also wines and soft drinks available, so there’s genuinely something for everyone. Drink in hand, we made our way upstairs where we were warmly greeted by Nour Huda, Founder and Artist of The Hungry Brush.

The atmosphere at BrewDog really added to the experience. There was a relaxed, lively hum throughout the bar, with people chatting, laughing and soaking up the easy-going Sunday afternoon-into-evening vibe. Upstairs, the event space felt intimate and perfectly sized for a sip and paint session — not crowded, and full of warmth and character. There were a couple of sofas and a table set slightly away from the painting stations, giving people the option to take a break, relax and enjoy their food if they wanted to. It struck the ideal balance between being a sociable bar and a creative space, and it’s impossible not to love the vibe here.

From the moment we arrived upstairs, everything was set up and ready to go. Nour’s welcome was relaxed and friendly, instantly putting everyone at ease. There were seven of us registered for the session, so while we waited for the rest of the group to arrive, we ordered some food — easily done via the QR code on the tables or directly at the bar with BrewDog’s helpful team.

Once everyone had arrived, we settled into our painting stations with our drinks, and Nour introduced herself and talked us through what to expect from the evening. She was approachable, encouraging and clearly very talented — with the reassuring sense that nothing was ever too much trouble.

Each painting station was thoughtfully laid out with paints, an apron, brushes, a canvas, an easel, a pot of water and, very helpfully, a small light at the top so you can clearly see what you’re doing. It instantly felt professional but not intimidating. Nour guided us through each step with clear instructions, proving very quickly that the phrase “anyone can be a painter” really can be true with the right guidance.

The artwork for the session was Van Gogh’s A Starry Night. Painted in June 1889, the piece depicts the view from the east-facing window of his asylum room at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence just before sunrise, with the addition of an imagined village. As we painted, Nour shared fascinating insights into Van Gogh and the story behind the artwork — her knowledge of art was impressive and added real depth to the experience.

It was incredibly satisfying watching the painting develop through its different stages, learning new techniques along the way. The small group size worked perfectly, giving everyone the chance to chat and get to know one another between stages, while still allowing plenty of time to focus on the painting itself.

Our food arrived midway through the session. I ordered the Oklahoma Stack Burger — a hand-smashed beef patty with caramelised onion, onion rings, bacon jam, mustard glaze, American cheese, lettuce, pickles and 'special sauce'. One colleague, Ollie, opted for the Cluck Norris 2.0, featuring buttermilk fried chicken, pickles, red onion and ranch, while Charlotte went for the Gorilla Fries (V) with sweet jammy onions, 'special sauce' and gooey cheese.

The food was well presented, arrived hot and right on time. It’s worth noting that food and drink aren’t included in the ticket price, but all of us thoroughly enjoyed what we ordered. I briefly questioned how I’d manage to eat a burger while painting — but, of course, I managed just fine. The Oklahoma Stack was absolutely banging - full of flavour, perfectly cooked and paired brilliantly with my Hawkes Dead & Berried Cider. Highly recommended!

As the session continued, I found the painting process surprisingly relaxing. I completely lost myself in it, slipping into my own little world and almost forgetting I was part of a group. These events are as social or as immersive as you want them to be — for me, it felt like a real moment of escapism from what is normally a hectic day, and I loved getting fully stuck in.

By the end of the evening, not only had I had a genuinely enjoyable experience, but I also had something tangible to take home. I absolutely love my finished piece of artwork, and there’s something incredibly rewarding about walking away with something you’ve created yourself.

As one final reflection, it perfectly summed up the experience:
“The sip and paint at BrewDog was the perfect blend of creativity, great food and relaxed atmosphere — welcoming, engaging and genuinely uplifting from start to finish.”

If you’ve never tried a sip and paint and fancy doing something a little different, I couldn’t recommend one of these events more. The next session hosted by Nour and The Hungry Brush at BrewDog is Banksy Flower Bomb, taking place on Monday 2 February 2026 at 6:30pm. If you don’t manage to grab a ticket for this one, be sure to check out our events pages for plenty more creative experiences taking place across the city centre, hosted by a range of businesses that specialise in these events.

Main Image - Left to right - Ollie, Jo & Charlotte from MyMK BID