The near-transcendental nature of painting may be scientific fact...

[6milPhil]

When couples play board games together or take a painting class with each other, their bodies release oxytocin — sometimes dubbed the “hugging hormone.” But men wielding paintbrushes released twice as much or more as the level of women painters and couples playing games, a Baylor University study has found.

more: https://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=206875

[Dr Mathias]

I found that interesting to think about, thanks for posting.

[Harry Faversham]

Absolute codswallop!!! 

Me and Herself craft/paint together in the same room... it's more like transcendmental, one peep/squeek at a critical juncture and we certainly get very touchy fealey...

usually for one another's throats!!! 

[mcfonz]

This clearly only works with two people in a room.

I certainly don't want to hug anyone at Salute and yet there are a lot of games going on there and unless people are heading off to the under-venue car park I never see anything untoward happening either.

Well, not unless it's Ainsty stealing my helmet again...

[Harry Faversham]

Steady on old chap, you really should keep a firmer grip on yer helmet.

[syrinx0]

The style of painting would seem to matter.  Working on a simple scenic canvas together with minimal pressure would lend itself to more casual contact.  The one 'impressionist' oil painting my son, wife and I worked (school project) was a blast that we all enjoyed.  Never did get it back from the professor either damn him.