A painting apparatus comprising a paint module, an applicator assembly having an applicator surface, and a pump, the paint module having a container receiving section, the applicator assembly being fluidly connectable to the container receiving section such that the pump can supply liquid contained in the container receiving section to the applicator assembly, in which the apparatus can operate in a painting cycle where the container receiving section receives a paint container with a supply of paint such that the paint can be supplied to the applicator assembly, and in a cleaning cycle where the container receiving section receives a liquid in the form of a cleaning fluid, such that the cleaning fluid can be supplied to the applicator assembly (FIG. 1).