Trying Tea Ware Painting and Fluid Art at Art and Cafe in Shibuya

Art and Cafe brings together art, music, and a café-style setting, offering a variety of workshops inspired by creative experiences popular overseas. The activities are designed to be approachable even for beginners, making it easy to try something creative in a relaxed setting. For this report, I visited the Shibuya location to try Japanese tea ware painting and fluid art, and to see what the experience was like for myself.

• Tokyo

Art, Music, and a Café-Style Setting

A session at Art and Cafe feels more like a social outing than a formal art class. Inspired by Paint & Sip workshops popular in London and New York, the café combines art with music and a relaxed café-style atmosphere.

The two-hour lineup includes fluid art, textured art, alcohol ink art, and Japanese tea ware painting. The focus is on enjoying the creative process rather than producing a perfect piece or competing with others.

Sessions are selected and booked in advance online, with options for children, students, couples, and groups.

I walked from Shibuya Station's New South Exit to Art and Cafe Shibuya Premium in about five minutes. The crowds around the station quickly gave way to a quiet residential neighborhood before I reached the workshop space.

The first thing I noticed was a wall covered with artwork in a variety of colors and styles. I visited just before Christmas, when Christmas-themed paintings were displayed on the tables.

Wine was available for anyone who wanted a glass, and the session began with a toast. Paints, brushes, and an apron were already laid out at my seat, so there was no need to bring any supplies.

Music played throughout the workshop, adding to the relaxed atmosphere.

My First Try at Painting Japanese Tea Ware

I decided to start with Japanese tea ware painting. I also liked that the finished piece could be taken home and used after the workshop.

The first step was choosing from several pieces of tea ware in different shapes and sizes. I picked them up one by one, comparing their shapes and sizes and imagining what I might paint on each one.

I then chose my colors and decided to create a gradient, mixing several shades little by little to see how they worked together. Following the staff’s advice, I dabbed and gently rubbed the surface with a sponge until the colors began to blend.

After drying the paint with a hair dryer, I added a little powder for a subtle shine. A water-based sealant was applied as the final step, giving the piece a matte finish.

Once the tea ware was complete, I used it right away for tea and sweets. Perhaps because I had painted it myself, the tea tasted especially good.

Watching the Colors Move: Creating Fluid Art

Next, I tried fluid art. I poured acrylic paint onto a canvas, then tilted it to let the colors flow across the surface. The beauty that emerges naturally is part of the appeal, making fluid art easy to enjoy even for beginners with no painting experience.

I began by comparing four canvases in different shapes and sizes. For my piece, I chose the most popular option, a 20-cm round canvas. Larger canvases are also available for pairs, including a 50-cm round canvas and an S6-size canvas.

I could choose up to five colors. Basic paints can be mixed to create other colors, while adding white or other paints allows the brightness and intensity to be adjusted. I used green as the base, then added brown, orange, ivory, and another shade of green. I mixed each color with water in a separate cup, then poured them into a single cup.

Once the paint was ready, I poured it onto the canvas and tilted it from side to side. The paint spread and overlapped with every movement. Even a slight change in angle changed the way the paint flowed, so I could not tell what the final pattern would look like until the surface was covered.

The Swarovski Fluid Art plan also allows you to add Swarovski crystals. Pearls, shells, and pieces of gold or silver leaf are also available. You can choose the decorations after seeing how the colors have spread, making it easier to find the right finishing touches for the design. A subtle sparkle brings the whole piece together.

Because fluid art takes time to dry, the finished piece is mailed later rather than taken home that day. I liked the idea of opening the package at home and remembering the workshop

Losing Track of Time at Art and Cafe

By the time I finished both pieces, I was surprised to see how much time had passed. Neither workshop felt overly technical, and once I got started, I could simply focus on enjoying the process. The relaxed atmosphere made it easy to chat while working, while the music and other participants absorbed in their own creations also gave me space to focus at my own pace.

The staff also took photos during the experience, capturing moments I couldn't photograph myself. The photos gave me a lasting reminder of the workshop. Seeing the other participants’ work was part of the fun too; every piece looked different. Tea ware painting and fluid art are just two of the workshops offered at Art and Cafe, and by the time I left, I was already wondering which one I might try next. See the full range of workshops on the official website.