PLEIN AIR PAINTING
BOSTON GARDENS, BOSTON, MA.
OUTDOOR PAINTING with TODD BONITA October 28, 2025 (9-4)
PLEIN AIR PAINTING
1 Day Intensive with Todd Bonita.
Boston Gardens, Boston, MA
October 28, 2025. (9-4) $100 (limit 12)
CALL TODD: (603) 819-9100
EMAIL: [email protected]
Immerse yourself in a full day of plein air painting with artist and instructor Todd Bonita in one of America’s most iconic city parks—the Boston Public Garden. From the famous Swan Boats and willow-lined lagoons to the elegant bridges, statues, and flowerbeds, this historic garden offers a wealth of subjects for plein air painters.
This intensive workshop focuses on simplifying complex cityscapes, capturing fleeting light, and developing strong compositions in an urban environment. Through a mix of demonstration, guided practice, and critique, participants will leave with improved confidence and practical strategies for painting on location.
Schedule
9:00 AM – Arrival and Orientation
About the Location
Established in 1837, the Boston Public Garden is the nation’s first public botanical garden and one of Boston’s cultural jewels. With its lush plantings, meandering lagoon, historic Swan Boats, and dramatic city backdrops, it offers endless inspiration for painters. Restrooms and food options are available nearby.
Spaces are limited—sign up early to secure your easel spot in this vibrant and historic location!
1 Day Intensive with Todd Bonita.
Boston Gardens, Boston, MA
October 28, 2025. (9-4) $100 (limit 12)
CALL TODD: (603) 819-9100
EMAIL: [email protected]
Immerse yourself in a full day of plein air painting with artist and instructor Todd Bonita in one of America’s most iconic city parks—the Boston Public Garden. From the famous Swan Boats and willow-lined lagoons to the elegant bridges, statues, and flowerbeds, this historic garden offers a wealth of subjects for plein air painters.
This intensive workshop focuses on simplifying complex cityscapes, capturing fleeting light, and developing strong compositions in an urban environment. Through a mix of demonstration, guided practice, and critique, participants will leave with improved confidence and practical strategies for painting on location.
Schedule
9:00 AM – Arrival and Orientation
- Meet at the Swan Boats pond in the Public Garden.
- Overview of the day, discussion of materials, and orientation to best painting sites.
- Todd will lead a 60–90-minute demo painting, focusing on design, editing visual complexity, and creating atmosphere in a city park setting.
- Students begin painting. Todd provides individual guidance and feedback while circulating among the group.
- Bring your own lunch or grab food nearby. Informal discussion on plein air strategies and overcoming common painting challenges.
- Opportunity to refine your morning work or start a second piece. Afternoon light, shadows, and activity provide fresh inspiration.
- Gather to share progress. Todd will lead a constructive critique focusing on composition, color harmony, and brushwork.
About the Location
Established in 1837, the Boston Public Garden is the nation’s first public botanical garden and one of Boston’s cultural jewels. With its lush plantings, meandering lagoon, historic Swan Boats, and dramatic city backdrops, it offers endless inspiration for painters. Restrooms and food options are available nearby.
Spaces are limited—sign up early to secure your easel spot in this vibrant and historic location!
REGISTER:
Contact Todd Bonita
Phone: (603) 819-9100
Email: [email protected]
We accept:
* Checks,
* Credit Cards (3.6% process fee)
* Pay Pal
* Cash for teachers pet...LOL
* Venmo ; @Todd-Bonita
If sending a check, please make it out to Todd
Bonita and mail it to:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave
Greenland, NH 03840
Please write "BOSTON GARDENS" in the memo on the check.
Contact Todd Bonita
Phone: (603) 819-9100
Email: [email protected]
We accept:
* Checks,
* Credit Cards (3.6% process fee)
* Pay Pal
* Cash for teachers pet...LOL
* Venmo ; @Todd-Bonita
If sending a check, please make it out to Todd
Bonita and mail it to:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave
Greenland, NH 03840
Please write "BOSTON GARDENS" in the memo on the check.
SUPPLY LIST
Plein air oil painting by Todd Bonita. "Monhegan Sea side shack #8".
Supply List
(I buy my supplies at Jerrysartarama.com, Dickblick.com, Cheapjoes.com, Utrecht.com)
Outdoor painting easel (Julian easel) or a pochade box mounted on a photographers tripod. (Ask about rental day use if you dont have one).
Palette
I recommend a wood palette. I have glass too for one of my boxes...try to avoid paper palettes.
Paint
*(I recommend a minimal palette of a warm and cool version of the three primaries plus white (with maybe a few extras)....A total of 9 colors but I have included some additional (optional colors) if you wish to expand and experiment. Please spend the extra for professional grade paints, be careful not to buy the student grade paints. I use Williamsburg, Winsor & Newton, Gamblin and Utrecht but there are many good options.) (*Tip: Winton brand by Winsor and Newton is student grade paint, do not use it).
Titanium White
Alkyd White (Alkyd is quick dry paint. For brands, Gamblin, DaVinci and Winsor and Newton Griffin is my favorite.)
Cad Yellow medium
Yellow ochre (Alternatively, After more than twenty years, I replaced my cool yellow with Transparent Earth Yellow and I love it).
Alizeran Crimson Permanent
Cadmium Red Medium
Cerulean Blue (or Pthalo Blue for the brave or crazy).
Ultramarine Blue
Sap Green
Raw Umber
Ivory Black
Painting surface
Canvas, Linen or canvas mounted on board or gessoed wood panel...I recommend (8x10”) or (9x12”) but use a size you are comfortable with....Please dont run to Michaels last minute and get the slick surfaced, gessoed panels they sell...they are aweful and paint slides off of them. Get something with a little tooth to it...just a little though.)
Brushes
*Assortment of bristle brushes (I suggest large, medium and small in three styles: Flats, Rounds and Filberts. I mostly use Robert Simmons Signet series flats #3, #6 and #10)
*Assortment of synthetic flats and or filberts for glazing color.
*Small synthetic rounds for details. (I suggest Winsor and Newton Septre Gold 2 in the 404 series...size 4 and / or size 6)
Other
* Trowel type Pallet knife
* liquin and pallet cup
**** Gamsol (Turpentine substitute) with container or medium glass jar (No turps aloud in studio, sorry, please use Gamsol.
* paper towels (Blue shop towels are the best)
* Soft pencil, eraser and sketchbook
* Ruler, straight edge or a mahl stick (something to make straight lines with is handy)
* A Veiwfinder: Important! Whether homemade or store bought, it must be adjustable or proportionate to your canvases. Viewcatcher is ideal.
* Ruby Beholder (This is a quilters tool, a simple red piece of plastic used to see values, Amazon.com has them)
* Artist paint box for supplies
* Wet paint carrier. I love the PanelPaks...they are lightweight and convenient or you could use a pizza box.
**(I have extras of everything so please do not stress or panic if you can’t find that tube of yellow, etc…For best deals, shop online at Jerrys Artarama, Dick Blick, Utrecht or Cheap Joes.
Recommended reading
www.toddbonita.com
www.toddbonitagallery.com
(I buy my supplies at Jerrysartarama.com, Dickblick.com, Cheapjoes.com, Utrecht.com)
Outdoor painting easel (Julian easel) or a pochade box mounted on a photographers tripod. (Ask about rental day use if you dont have one).
Palette
I recommend a wood palette. I have glass too for one of my boxes...try to avoid paper palettes.
Paint
*(I recommend a minimal palette of a warm and cool version of the three primaries plus white (with maybe a few extras)....A total of 9 colors but I have included some additional (optional colors) if you wish to expand and experiment. Please spend the extra for professional grade paints, be careful not to buy the student grade paints. I use Williamsburg, Winsor & Newton, Gamblin and Utrecht but there are many good options.) (*Tip: Winton brand by Winsor and Newton is student grade paint, do not use it).
Titanium White
Alkyd White (Alkyd is quick dry paint. For brands, Gamblin, DaVinci and Winsor and Newton Griffin is my favorite.)
Cad Yellow medium
Yellow ochre (Alternatively, After more than twenty years, I replaced my cool yellow with Transparent Earth Yellow and I love it).
Alizeran Crimson Permanent
Cadmium Red Medium
Cerulean Blue (or Pthalo Blue for the brave or crazy).
Ultramarine Blue
Sap Green
Raw Umber
Ivory Black
Painting surface
Canvas, Linen or canvas mounted on board or gessoed wood panel...I recommend (8x10”) or (9x12”) but use a size you are comfortable with....Please dont run to Michaels last minute and get the slick surfaced, gessoed panels they sell...they are aweful and paint slides off of them. Get something with a little tooth to it...just a little though.)
Brushes
*Assortment of bristle brushes (I suggest large, medium and small in three styles: Flats, Rounds and Filberts. I mostly use Robert Simmons Signet series flats #3, #6 and #10)
*Assortment of synthetic flats and or filberts for glazing color.
*Small synthetic rounds for details. (I suggest Winsor and Newton Septre Gold 2 in the 404 series...size 4 and / or size 6)
Other
* Trowel type Pallet knife
* liquin and pallet cup
**** Gamsol (Turpentine substitute) with container or medium glass jar (No turps aloud in studio, sorry, please use Gamsol.
* paper towels (Blue shop towels are the best)
* Soft pencil, eraser and sketchbook
* Ruler, straight edge or a mahl stick (something to make straight lines with is handy)
* A Veiwfinder: Important! Whether homemade or store bought, it must be adjustable or proportionate to your canvases. Viewcatcher is ideal.
* Ruby Beholder (This is a quilters tool, a simple red piece of plastic used to see values, Amazon.com has them)
* Artist paint box for supplies
* Wet paint carrier. I love the PanelPaks...they are lightweight and convenient or you could use a pizza box.
**(I have extras of everything so please do not stress or panic if you can’t find that tube of yellow, etc…For best deals, shop online at Jerrys Artarama, Dick Blick, Utrecht or Cheap Joes.
Recommended reading
- Art Spirit by Robert Henri
- Alla Prima 2, (Everything I know about painting) by Richard Schmid
- Hawthorn on Painting by Charles Hawthorn
- Drawing on the right side of the brain by Betty Edwards
- Composition of outdoor painting by Edgar Payne
- Carlsons guide to landscape painting by John Carlson
- Landscape Painting: Essential concepts by Mitchell Albala
- Landscape Painting inside and out by Kevin MacPherson
www.toddbonita.com
www.toddbonitagallery.com
WHAT TO EXPECT
Swan Boats, Boston Public Gardens, Boston, MA.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 28, 2025. (9-4pm)
WHERE: Boston Public Gardens, Boston, MA
PARKING: Charles Street Garage. (Underneath Boston Common) Access from Charles Street, enter between Boyleston and Beacon Street.
RENDEZVOUS POINT: Swan Boats, Public Garden. (4 minute walk from Charles Street garage).
WHAT TO BRING: Bring your art supplies, water, snack, lunch.
PRO-TIP: Bring a value scale or make a simple one. I prefer a 9 value scale but bring what you have.
BATHROOMS: Free at the restroom trailer on Boston Common, (Along MacArthur Mall). Also Frog pond visitors center nearby at the Commons.
WEATHER: Will check in the ten day forecast.
RAIN PLAN: One of the great pleasures in life is watching the rain on the Public Gardens under the massive cloak of a Giant Weeping Willow.
BALANCE: Please bring your outstanding balance to class. Checks made out to me, Todd Bonita. Cash for teachers pet.
WHAT ELSE: I will have coffee and treats waiting for your arrival. We will begin with introductions followed by expectations, demo, lecture and students paint all day with side-by-side easel assistance. I’m excited to meet and paint with you all.
ANYTHING ELSE? Yes! Hope you can join.
TODDs CELL: (603) 819-9100.
Kind regards to you all. Can’t wait!
Todd Bonita
WHERE: Boston Public Gardens, Boston, MA
PARKING: Charles Street Garage. (Underneath Boston Common) Access from Charles Street, enter between Boyleston and Beacon Street.
RENDEZVOUS POINT: Swan Boats, Public Garden. (4 minute walk from Charles Street garage).
WHAT TO BRING: Bring your art supplies, water, snack, lunch.
PRO-TIP: Bring a value scale or make a simple one. I prefer a 9 value scale but bring what you have.
BATHROOMS: Free at the restroom trailer on Boston Common, (Along MacArthur Mall). Also Frog pond visitors center nearby at the Commons.
WEATHER: Will check in the ten day forecast.
RAIN PLAN: One of the great pleasures in life is watching the rain on the Public Gardens under the massive cloak of a Giant Weeping Willow.
BALANCE: Please bring your outstanding balance to class. Checks made out to me, Todd Bonita. Cash for teachers pet.
WHAT ELSE: I will have coffee and treats waiting for your arrival. We will begin with introductions followed by expectations, demo, lecture and students paint all day with side-by-side easel assistance. I’m excited to meet and paint with you all.
ANYTHING ELSE? Yes! Hope you can join.
TODDs CELL: (603) 819-9100.
Kind regards to you all. Can’t wait!
Todd Bonita
Plein air Paintings
by Todd Bonita
