Bethesda’s Brushes & Brews event was an absolute treat at PAX Australia this year, featuring hours of fun with some of the best game developers in the business.
The free event was fully booked out, and for those who managed to score a spot, the experience was a mix of creative energy and hilarious chaos.
READ MORE: We’re at PAX Australia 2023!
Aspiring artists and Bethesda fans (myself included) were given a canvas, set of brushes and paint at their stations. We donned themed Bethesda aprons, and followed along with the professionals to create works of art.
As a surprise, each budding artist got to keep their themed apron after the session. And to make it even more special, we had some very important guests painting alongside us.
Rich Lambert, Creative Director of Zenimax Studios, and John Johanas, Director of Tango Gameworks attended these sessions which was awesome.
Everyone was given the opportunity to meet them and talk all about their games and the characters we were painting.
John Johanas painting away during Hi-Fi Rush session (Source: Bethesda Facebook) 
Theme: Hermaeus Mora – The Daedric Prince of Knowledge ESO Necrom DLC (Source: Bethesda Facebook) 
Group photo with Rich Lambert! (Source: Bethesda Facebook) 
Artists taking creative liberties! (Source: Bethesda Facebook) 
Starfield group photo! (Source: Bethesda Facebook) 
Amazing takeaways from the Fallout 76 Session! (Source: EllyTheGeek)
But wait, there’s more! There was an additional gift with each session. A Vault Boy-themed Penny Arcade pin depicting the iconic Fallout mascot catching a wave with a kangaroo. Such a clever design with “hanging ten” being a direct reference to PAX Australia’s 10th anniversary.
READ MORE: Bethesda celebrates their ESO community with a Necrom-themed party!
However, it was not just about the loot we scored, it was about the friends and amazing art we made along the way.
It was a somewhat intimate setting with just the right amount of guests. Every session (yes, I did them all) had an inside joke or a favourite piece we all admired. We all laughed along and ended with a group photo.
It was especially awesome to see so many artistically gifted painters making their pieces really stand out.
Truly a unique experience hosted by Bethesda this PAX Aus.
I can only hope that we see more of these interactive, community-centred events more often in the future!
