PLEIN AIR PAINTING
WACHUSETT MEADOWS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, PRINCETON, MA.
OUTDOOR PAINTING with TODD BONITA June 17, 2026 (9-4)
PLEIN AIR PAINTING
1 Day Intensive with Todd Bonita) Saturday, June 17, 2026. (9-4)
Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. 113 Goodnow Rd. Princeton, MA
(9a - 4p) $75 (limit 14)
Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary is a 1,135 acres wildlife sanctuary located in Princeton, Massachusetts, owned by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Charles T. Crocker III donated 600 acres of land along with several buildings to Mass Audubon in 1956. Wikipedia. This magnificant landscape will serve as our backdrop for a one day Plein air painting adventure, capturing the mood, light, atmosphere, color and spirit of this special place.
Get your paint splattered pants and join us with your art box for a full day of outdoor painting, convening with nature and learning to see like an artist. I will begin with a lecture and demonstration on capturing light, color and atmosphere on canvas using a simple Impressionistic approach. We will discuss choosing a motif, composing a harmonized design, seeing value shapes, accurate drawing, and infusing visual poetry into your motif. Students will spend the rest of the day painting while I provide artistic guidance with side-by-side easel assistance. This one day workshop is packed with valuable information that has been passed down from the masters on how to simplify the outdoor painting process.
1 Day Intensive with Todd Bonita) Saturday, June 17, 2026. (9-4)
Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. 113 Goodnow Rd. Princeton, MA
(9a - 4p) $75 (limit 14)
Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary is a 1,135 acres wildlife sanctuary located in Princeton, Massachusetts, owned by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Charles T. Crocker III donated 600 acres of land along with several buildings to Mass Audubon in 1956. Wikipedia. This magnificant landscape will serve as our backdrop for a one day Plein air painting adventure, capturing the mood, light, atmosphere, color and spirit of this special place.
Get your paint splattered pants and join us with your art box for a full day of outdoor painting, convening with nature and learning to see like an artist. I will begin with a lecture and demonstration on capturing light, color and atmosphere on canvas using a simple Impressionistic approach. We will discuss choosing a motif, composing a harmonized design, seeing value shapes, accurate drawing, and infusing visual poetry into your motif. Students will spend the rest of the day painting while I provide artistic guidance with side-by-side easel assistance. This one day workshop is packed with valuable information that has been passed down from the masters on how to simplify the outdoor painting process.
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 "Wachusett" 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 "Wachusett" in the memo on the check.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Rendezvous point at the covered picnic tables at 9am. We will paint here if it rains.
WHEN: Saturday, June 17, 2026. (9-4pm)
WHERE: 113 Goodnow Rd. Princeton, MA. $4 admission (bring cash) Princeton residence and Mass Audubon members free.
PARKING: Free, on site.
RENDEZVOUS POINT: We will meet at the covered picnic area behind the main yellow office building across from the parking lot at 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 in the yellow main building next to parking lot.
WEATHER: Will check in the ten day forecast.
RAIN PLAN: we have two excellent, coveted and protected options in the event of inclement weather. The best will be to stay put at our rendezvous point under the covered picnic area behind the main building.
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 1761 Old Mill restaurant and country store. 69 State road E. Westminster, MA. You are welcome to join us.
TODDs CELL: (603) 819-9100.
If you are running late, no worries, come join us at the covered picnic tables behind the yellow main building. We will have a cup of coffee waiting for you.
Kind regards to you all. Can’t wait!
Todd Bonita
WHERE: 113 Goodnow Rd. Princeton, MA. $4 admission (bring cash) Princeton residence and Mass Audubon members free.
PARKING: Free, on site.
RENDEZVOUS POINT: We will meet at the covered picnic area behind the main yellow office building across from the parking lot at 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 in the yellow main building next to parking lot.
WEATHER: Will check in the ten day forecast.
RAIN PLAN: we have two excellent, coveted and protected options in the event of inclement weather. The best will be to stay put at our rendezvous point under the covered picnic area behind the main building.
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 1761 Old Mill restaurant and country store. 69 State road E. Westminster, MA. You are welcome to join us.
TODDs CELL: (603) 819-9100.
If you are running late, no worries, come join us at the covered picnic tables behind the yellow main building. We will have a cup of coffee waiting for you.
Kind regards to you all. Can’t wait!
Todd Bonita
Please bring to class:
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
Ivory Black
Burnt Sienna (optional)
Sap Green (Optional)
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
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
Ivory Black
Burnt Sienna (optional)
Sap Green (Optional)
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
Plein air Paintings
by Todd Bonita
