My Experience at an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Workshop

For years I had a quiet wish to attend an Annie Sloan chalk painting workshop. I would scroll through photos online of smiling students in charming locations, surrounded by brushes, aprons, and painted projects, and quietly imagine myself there alongside them.

I’d sigh and wish I could be one of those happy, paint-splattered participants.

Unfortunately, workshops I’d seen were often held far from my home in British Columbia — places like Pennsylvania and Tennessee — so attending felt out of reach. In fact, before this workshop I had never even handled genuine Annie Sloan chalk paint.

Imagine my delight when a friend called to invite me to a workshop only four hours away. I didn’t hesitate to sign up.

The class was held in a beautiful little shop in Victoria, BC, called French Touch Furniture, a welcoming space filled with painted pieces and creative energy.

Our instructor, Debra, is both the shop owner and the artist behind the painted furniture on display. Her experience and calm teaching style set the tone for a relaxed, hands-on session where everyone felt encouraged to try new techniques.

Six of us gathered around Debra’s workshop table for nearly five and a half hours. We painted, chatted, experimented with different approaches, and watched each other’s projects transform. The atmosphere was collaborative and inspiring — the kind of creative environment that makes learning enjoyable and memorable.

Annie Sloan paint and the quality of brushes provided made a strong impression on me. The paint’s consistency, coverage, and the brushes’ ability to deliver smooth, even strokes convinced me why Annie Sloan is regarded so highly in the chalk painting community. That said, what stood out most was the value of being taught by someone who truly understands the craft.

As someone who has dabbled in many painting projects over the years, I learned far more than I expected. Debra’s step-by-step demonstrations clarified techniques I had roughly tried on my own, and she offered practical tips that made a real difference in the results. Her clear guidance on preparing surfaces, choosing brushes, and blending colors helped me feel confident about the process.

I found the waxing instruction particularly valuable. Learning how to apply and buff wax properly gave my finished piece a professional sheen and durability that I hadn’t achieved with my previous attempts. That instruction alone made the workshop worth attending.

Beyond technical skills, the workshop rekindled my creative spark. I left inspired and eager to pull out my paints, brushes, and leftover wood pieces to put what I’d learned into practice.

If you’re curious about chalk painting and want hands-on instruction from someone experienced, I highly recommend a workshop like this. It’s an investment in both skill and confidence — especially if you’re interested in using original Annie Sloan chalk paint. While there are other products on the market, the combination of a proven paint and expert guidance produced results I was proud of.

Note: I was not compensated to promote this workshop. I genuinely enjoyed the experience and recommend it based on what I learned and the quality of instruction I received.