Pendulum Art Workshop by Spinning Lab in Johor Bahru

Spinning Lab turns art jamming into a hands-on experiment: instead of painting with a brush, you set paint swinging from a pendulum and watch it mark the canvas. The result is an abstract work shaped by movement, color, and a little chance.

I like that you do not need artistic experience, so families and couples can enjoy the process without worrying about getting it right. I also like that the session includes five paint colors and a canvas to take home, giving you a real project rather than a quick demonstration.

One practical catch: thick layers of paint can take around five days to dry. If you are leaving Johor Bahru soon after your session, plan how you will collect or transport your work before you book.

At a glance

• Pendulum painting: Use swinging pendulums and spinners to make abstract patterns.
• One-hour session: A short demonstration is followed by time to make your own canvas.
• A3 canvas included: The standard sheet measures 40 by 30 centimeters; a frame costs extra.
• Suitable from age four: Children and adults are charged the same rate.
• Drying takes time: Heavy paint coverage may need about five days to dry.
• Check the price and address: The workshop is listed at 16A, Jalan Austin Heights 7/8, and prices may differ by booking channel.

A different sort of art jamming in Johor Bahru

Pendulum painting is less about drawing a neat picture and more about setting up motion and seeing what it makes. At Spinning Lab, paint moves on a swinging pendulum, leaving lines and marks across your canvas. You can choose colors and try to guide the pattern, but the method leaves room for chance.

That makes this a good choice if you want a creative activity without the pressure of being good at art. The workshop welcomes participants aged four and up, and the process is simple enough for children to take part. You do not need to bring materials or prepare a design in advance.

The finished work is personal, but it may not look like a traditional painting. Paint consistency can affect the result: when it does not flow freely, it may leave dotted marks rather than long, smooth lines. If you enjoy experimenting more than following a precise plan, that unpredictability is part of the appeal.

What happens during the one-hour session

Your booking includes a one-hour painting experience at Spinning Lab, with a dedicated workstation for groups of one to four. The session begins with instructions from the English-speaking staff. A demonstration on a TV has also been used to show the process, followed by time for you to try it yourself.

You receive a standard A3 canvas sheet, five 100-milliliter bottles of basic-color paint, an apron, pendulums, spinners, pouring cups, and brushes. The workshop supplies the main tools, so you can focus on choosing colors and making marks rather than gathering equipment.

The materials are straightforward, but the method may take a little trial and error. You might find that the paint makes dotted trails instead of smooth arcs, depending on how it flows. Treat the first attempts as part of the activity, not as a test. There is no required final design, and the workshop is meant to welcome people with different ages and levels of experience.

The package description specifies one canvas sheet and one workstation, even for a group of up to four. If each person wants an individual canvas, confirm how canvas allocation works before booking rather than assuming the group receives one per participant.

Choosing colors and letting the pendulum work

The creative part starts with selecting from the five basic paint colors. You pour or apply paint using the supplied cups and tools, then use the pendulum and spinner setup to create patterns. The process is physical and playful: you watch the paint move, then decide whether to add another color or make another pass.

This is not a class in traditional painting techniques, and the available details do not promise step-by-step instruction for making a particular design. Staff explain the process and can help, but the final look depends on your choices and how the paint behaves. If you want a carefully planned image, this may feel loose. If you like seeing what happens when you mix color and movement, the open format is a strength.

The activity can get messy, which is part of working with liquid paint. Aprons are included. Wear something you do not mind getting a stray spot on, especially if you are accompanying a child or helping with the setup.

Your canvas needs time to dry

A key detail is easy to miss when you book a one-hour workshop: the painting may not be ready to take home immediately. A canvas with a lot of paint can need about five days to dry. That can mean returning to collect it, or arranging a way to take it with you without smearing the wet surface.

If you are visiting Johor Bahru for only a short stay, ask the workshop about collection arrangements before your session. Do not assume that the canvas will be dry by the end of the hour. This is especially important if you are leaving the next day, as one participant found that the drying time did not fit their travel plans.

The included item is a canvas sheet, not a framed canvas. A frame upgrade may be available at the venue for an extra charge. One reported price was RM25 per frame, but stock may vary; a visitor found frames unavailable during their visit and planned to buy a standard A3 frame elsewhere. If a frame matters to you, check availability and the current cost directly.

A family activity with a low entry barrier

The age minimum is four, and children aged four and above pay the same rate as adults. That makes the workshop suitable for families whose children are keen to make things, but it is worth weighing the full adult price against the length of the session and the included canvas.

The staff-led introduction helps make the activity accessible. A patient staff member can explain the process and assist, while the actual painting remains your own project. For a family, the value is not just the canvas: you get an hour of shared activity, with each person able to make choices and see how those choices affect the pattern.

It can also work well for couples or small groups. The setup offers a change from a standard meal or shopping stop, and the finished abstract piece can serve as a reminder of the outing. Just agree in advance on whether the group is sharing the one included canvas or needs more.

Price, add-ons, and what counts as value

The listed package is a one-hour painting experience, with displayed starting prices around US$26.69 to US$29.39. Prices can vary, so check the final amount at checkout. The included materials, staff introduction, and access to the pendulum setup are the core value. You are paying for an activity, not simply for an A3 sheet of paper.

Check the merchant’s own booking options before you pay through a third-party platform. A customer reported that a child-and-adult combination was cheaper when booked directly, while the platform charged two adult rates and did not resolve the price difference. That does not mean direct booking will always be cheaper, but it is sensible to compare the total for your exact group rather than just the headline rate.

The standard package does not include personal expenses or a frame. A raincoat and frame upgrade may be offered as paid add-ons at the venue. Ask about any extra cost before choosing an upgrade, and check whether the frame is in stock if you want to leave with a ready-to-display piece.

Finding Spinning Lab and planning your visit

The workshop is at 16A, Jalan Austin Heights 7/8, 81100 Johor Bahru. The meeting-point information also gives 16, Jalan Austin Heights 7/8, so use the workshop’s 16A address and check the map before setting out. The storefront can be hard to spot, so allow time to find it rather than arriving at the last minute.

Opening hours are 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily except Wednesday, when the workshop is closed. After booking, confirm your date and time with the operator through Instagram Direct Message at spinninglab_jb. Arrive 15 minutes early; late arrivals and no-shows are not refunded. You can present your mobile voucher.

Outside food and drinks are not allowed. The voucher is valid only for the date and time specified, and the activity has a no-cancellation, no-refund policy. These terms make it worth checking your schedule and confirming the appointment before you commit.

Who should book this workshop?

I would consider Spinning Lab if you want an easygoing creative activity where the point is making something, not mastering a skill. It suits families with children aged four or older, couples looking for an activity together, and small groups who enjoy hands-on projects. The short session also fits neatly into a day in Johor Bahru, provided you account for the canvas drying time.

It is less suitable if you need a finished, dry artwork the same day, want a framed piece included, or expect detailed instruction in conventional painting. The pendulum process has a playful, unpredictable quality, and the result may be more abstract than you first imagine.

Before booking, compare the price for your group directly with the workshop’s available options, confirm how many canvases are included, and ask about drying and collection. If those details work for your plans, this is a fun way to spend an hour making an unusual souvenir.

FAQ

How long does the pendulum art workshop last?

The painting experience lasts one hour.

What is included in the standard package?

It includes admission, English-speaking staff, one dedicated workstation, one standard A3 canvas sheet, five bottles of basic-color paint, an apron, pendulums, spinners, pouring cups, and brushes.

What is the minimum age to participate?

Participants must be at least four years old. Children aged four and above are charged the same rate as adults.

How many people can take part in one group?

The stated group size is one to four participants. The package includes one workstation and one A3 canvas sheet, so confirm canvas allocation if each person wants a separate work.

How long does the canvas take to dry?

Paintings with a lot of paint can take around five days to dry. Plan ahead if you are leaving Johor Bahru soon after the workshop.

Is a frame included?

No. The standard package includes an unframed canvas sheet. A frame upgrade may be available at the venue for an extra charge, subject to availability.

What are the workshop’s opening hours?

Spinning Lab is open from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Sunday. It is closed on Wednesday.

How do I confirm my booking time?

After booking, contact the operator through Instagram Direct Message at spinninglab_jb to confirm your date and time. Present your mobile voucher and arrive 15 minutes early.