Beginners in painting: Paint and Wine

Do you want to try out oil or acrylic painting? But don't know where to start?
Are you overwhelmed with the unfamiliar supplies you have to get in order to attend an oil painting class?
Or do you just want to get an idea of the just of oil painting?

These are my questions when I first started seriously thinking about oil painting. I looked online about the prices of oil painting classes, supplies to get, ideal locations to oil paint etc. They do not seem ideal for a recent graduate who's working full time and occasionally working on weekends. Painting classes usually cost in the hundreds for four or five classes, quite pricy. Some oil paints are toxic and should be used in well ventilated areas, so a small bedroom in an apartment does not sound good.

My problems were solved when I was browsing on group on for some discounted restaurants. They have the so called "paint and wine" activity where you can go to a local bar with some friends, and paint a pre-designed canvas with provided supplies. Sounds like a good idea huh? You can get familiar with supplies used, try and see what painting is like, and you get to drink and socialize.

The place I found on Groupon is called PaintNite, which currently offers half price off sessions until June 2014. If you are around the MD-DC-VA area, you should go and try it out.