As someone who has always wanted to explore their artistic side but lacks natural talent, I jumped at the chance to attend a Bob Ross painting night in Newcastle. My artistic experience is limited to the occasional pottery painting session and doodling in notebook margins, so when I heard about The Bob Ross Happy Little Paint Along coming to town, I was genuinely excited.

I have fond memories of watching The Joy of Painting late at night, mesmerized by Bob Ross's gentle technique and soothing voice. There's a good reason why he has captivated audiences for decades, even long after his passing. Ross wasn't just talented – he was compassionate and encouraging, embodying a spirit of learning that made his show appealing even to those who never planned to pick up a paintbrush.

When I saw the event advertised in the Grainger Market, I thought it would make for a unique experience and an alternative night out. Plus, I'd have something concrete to show for it at the end, whether good or bad. However, when I went to sign up, I discovered the surprising venue: Digital Nightclub.

Yes, that Digital – the establishment in Times Square known for hosting countless drunken nights out, filled with freshly-turned-18 students consuming VK and vodka Red Bulls like there was no tomorrow. The event organizers were well aware of this reputation. At the start of the evening, they asked, "Who hasn't been in Digital since they were 18?" About 25 of the 50 people in the room raised their hands, myself included.

This unlikely venue was to host the Happy Little Paint Along, complete with Bob Ross's dulcet tones playing over the speaker system and a bar stocked with Bob Ross-themed cocktails. While this gave me pause, I figured that no matter what happened, it would make for a good story.

Upon arrival, I walked through the red lights of the bar and entryway to discover a transformed space. Where crowds of drunk and happy people normally dance, there were now rows upon rows of benches. Each space was equipped with a generous serving of paint, multiple brushes, water, and a canvas. It appears Digital wants to expand beyond just being a nightclub, and this seems like a pretty interesting way to do it – consider me impressed.

I took my seat and looked around, pleasantly surprised by the diverse age range of attendees. There were people in their twenties like myself, as well as folks who appeared to be in their sixties, who may very well have watched Bob Ross during his original broadcasts in the 1980s and 1990s.

The event opened at 7 PM but officially began at 8 PM. During the interim hour, guests were invited to purchase drinks from the bar. I opted for soft drinks since I had to work the next day, but the custom Bob Ross cocktail names sounded as appealing as the drinks undoubtedly were.

Once the painting session began, I was immediately struck by how quickly everything moved. I've never been more impressed with Bob Ross in my life – the man truly was a master of his craft. I, on the other hand, was decidedly not, but I managed to create something I'd be happy to display in my office. Many of the Digital staff members seemed to agree with the concept, as bar staff participated between intervals, and their efforts looked considerably better than my own, I must admit.

Here's the thing about painting in a nightclub: there's a distinct lack of proper lighting. If you could see the state of the dance floor after a night of boozy dancing, it would probably ruin the illusion a bit. This meant the primary light source came from the stage, which illuminated the back of the canvas rather than the front where we were actually painting. I found myself picking up my painting and turning it around several times just to see if my colors were applied correctly. I noticed other attendees dealing with this same issue by using their phone flashlights.

If I had to give one piece of advice, it would be to consider what you're drinking when you attend. If you stay sober, you'll likely create a piece of art you'd be happy displaying on an empty wall, but it requires significant focus. Bob Ross moves very quickly through his techniques, though the event organizers compensated by playing each portion of the episode three times to ensure everyone could get their "happy little trees" as happy as possible.

For £16, there's no question you get excellent value. The price includes all the supplies needed to paint, the chance to win Bob Ross-themed prizes, and of course, the canvas to take home at the end. Personally, I wouldn't mind paying slightly more for higher-quality art supplies.

For example, at the beginning of every Bob Ross episode, he coats his canvas with liquid white paint to enable his signature wet-on-wet painting method. Instead, we were instructed to lightly wash our canvas with water. I would happily pay a bit more to have access to additional paints, liquid white, and larger brushes for a more authentic Bob Ross experience.

The final result was something that could potentially be admired from a distance – certainly much better than anything I could have produced on my own. Despite the unconventional venue and lighting challenges, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Would I attend again? Absolutely. Everyone in the room was completely on the same wavelength, collectively asking, "How in God's name is this man painting that quickly?!" while sipping cocktails and having a genuinely good time. The surreal environment of Digital Nightclub only added to the incredulity of the entire experience. With another event scheduled for September, I'd recommend keeping an eye out and keeping your paintbrush handy for this unique blend of art and entertainment.