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Not sure where to post this but there is a GW shop close to where I live. Not in walking distance but is maybe a 20 min train + 6 min walk away.
I frequently see people painting models there around a table. Planning on going there for the hell of it, as I want to experience the community in the real world, not in chatrooms. already know the guys who work there well enough, and they aren't as pushy as people say the employees usually are, and they recognize their clients as human beings with the same interests and not cash cows to milk money out of. Anyway, planning on going there within the week. will bring brushes, a water pot, couple of paints, a model, wet palette, and a sheet of kitchen paper roll. The big question here is that (TLDR) since there is no bathroom (and to my knowledge there aren't any in GW shops) should I just bring a bottle of water or something to refill the water pot? Have only painted at home. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

(edit: guy I usually see says that using vallejo paints is fine, just to hide them if any customers come in as you don't want to advertise a non GW thing to beginners coming in. Didn't word it entirely like that, but I don't personally mind. I just want to experience the community.)

Back in the 90s GW provided a range of paints and even undercoated models, not sure now as haven't really spent more than 10 minutes getting hard to find colours and collecting web orders.

Why not ask the store's manager?

 Kanluwen wrote:
Why not ask the store's manager?

Do this. Different managers have different approaches. The official line from above is that customers bring their own stuff, that gw has produced. When I worked there (a long time ago) the manager stuck firmly to this rule. Others are more lenient on different brands, but used discreetly. Some will happily lend tools and paints.

100% ask the manager for what the form is. They'll also be able to tell you the best times to come in for when people are gathered painting.

Some managers are going to toe the line really strictly, others will be more open. It can also depend a lot on how you conduct yourself. If you turn up with other paints and just paint happily away and chat with others that's great - if you start trying to sell another paint brand hard to everyone there, the manage might not appreciate that.



In general ask them and they will tell you everything you need to know

As others have said, ask the manager.

The store’s painting table may have booked time slots, not just for customers to do their own thing, but also for painting lessons. And any intro game should be including a “paint a model and take it home” stage as well. So that resource isn’t necessarily available for open use