PLEIN AIR PAINTING
CRANE ESTATE, IPSWICH, MA.
OUTDOOR PAINTING with TODD BONITA September 16, 2026 (9-4)
PLEIN AIR PAINTING
1 Day Intensive with Todd Bonita.
Crane Estate, 290 Argilla, Rd. Ipswich, MA
September 16, 2026. (9-4) $100 (limit 12)
CALL TODD: (603)819-9100
EMAIL: [email protected]
Join award-winning plein air painter Todd Bonita for a full-day immersive painting workshop set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA. This grand coastal estate—complete with sweeping ocean views, rolling hills, stately architecture, and salt marsh vistas—offers a rich variety of motifs ideal for plein air painters seeking inspiration, challenge, and growth.
This one-day intensive is designed to sharpen your outdoor painting skills through structured demos, personalized instruction, and direct observation of light and atmosphere.
Schedule:
9:00 AM – Arrival and Orientation
About the Location:
The Crane Estate, managed by The Trustees of Reservations, offers panoramic views of the Atlantic, classical gardens, rolling meadows, and the stately Crane mansion—all ideal subjects for painters. Ample parking and restrooms are available on site.
1 Day Intensive with Todd Bonita.
Crane Estate, 290 Argilla, Rd. Ipswich, MA
September 16, 2026. (9-4) $100 (limit 12)
CALL TODD: (603)819-9100
EMAIL: [email protected]
Join award-winning plein air painter Todd Bonita for a full-day immersive painting workshop set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA. This grand coastal estate—complete with sweeping ocean views, rolling hills, stately architecture, and salt marsh vistas—offers a rich variety of motifs ideal for plein air painters seeking inspiration, challenge, and growth.
This one-day intensive is designed to sharpen your outdoor painting skills through structured demos, personalized instruction, and direct observation of light and atmosphere.
Schedule:
9:00 AM – Arrival and Orientation
- Meet in the main parking lot near the Great House.
- Overview of the day, safety, and location tour.
- Todd will conduct a 60–90-minute demo focusing on composition, light, and simplifying he out door painting process with economy techniques.
- Casual group picnic (weather permitting) on the grounds. Discussion of approaches, gear, and problem-solving in the field.
- Participants set up and paint. Emphasis on capturing afternoon light and refining focal areas. Todd provides side-by-side easel assistance.
- Informal group critique and Q&A. Share progress, challenges, and insights.
About the Location:
The Crane Estate, managed by The Trustees of Reservations, offers panoramic views of the Atlantic, classical gardens, rolling meadows, and the stately Crane mansion—all ideal subjects for painters. Ample parking and restrooms are available on site.
REGISTER:
Contact Todd Bonita
Phone: (603) 819-9100
Email: [email protected]
We accept:
* Checks,
* Credit Cards (4% 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 "CRANE ESTATE" in the memo on the check.
Contact Todd Bonita
Phone: (603) 819-9100
Email: [email protected]
We accept:
* Checks,
* Credit Cards (4% 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 "CRANE ESTATE" 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)
Please bring a table easel, or if you prefer, please feel free to bring your outdoor painting kit to stand and paint. I have extras if you don't have one but let me know.
Outdoor painting easel (Julian easel) or a pochade box mounted on a photographers tripod. (Ask about rental day use if you dont have one).
Pallet
I recommend a wood pallet. I have glass too for one of my boxes...try to avoid paper pallets.
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)
Please bring a table easel, or if you prefer, please feel free to bring your outdoor painting kit to stand and paint. I have extras if you don't have one but let me know.
Outdoor painting easel (Julian easel) or a pochade box mounted on a photographers tripod. (Ask about rental day use if you dont have one).
Pallet
I recommend a wood pallet. I have glass too for one of my boxes...try to avoid paper pallets.
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
Crane Estate Castle Hill, Ipswich, MA.
WHEN: Wednesday, September 24, 2025. (9-4pm)
WHERE: Crane Estate, 290 Argilla, Rd. Ipswich, MA ($10 admission).
PARKING: Free, on site.
RENDEZVOUS POINT: Meet in the main parking lot near the Great House. 9am
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, on site.
WEATHER: Will check in the ten day forecast.
RAIN PLAN: we have an excellent coverered area with picnic tables directly behind the main Estate house. Excellent views.
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! If anyone would like to meet for coffee, a drink, appetizer or dessert after class at the Beauport Inn in Gloucester. 55 Commercial St. Gloucester, MA. Ill be there to relax and talk shop after class. Hope you can join.
TODDs CELL: (603) 819-9100.
Kind regards to you all. Can’t wait!
Todd Bonita
WHERE: Crane Estate, 290 Argilla, Rd. Ipswich, MA ($10 admission).
PARKING: Free, on site.
RENDEZVOUS POINT: Meet in the main parking lot near the Great House. 9am
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, on site.
WEATHER: Will check in the ten day forecast.
RAIN PLAN: we have an excellent coverered area with picnic tables directly behind the main Estate house. Excellent views.
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! If anyone would like to meet for coffee, a drink, appetizer or dessert after class at the Beauport Inn in Gloucester. 55 Commercial St. Gloucester, MA. Ill be there to relax and talk shop after class. 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
