PLEIN AIR PAINTING
BOSTON GARDENS, BOSTON, MA.
1 Day OUTDOOR PAINTING INTENSIVE with TODD BONITA September 23, 2026 (9-4)
PLEIN AIR PAINTING
1 Day Intensive with Todd Bonita) September 23, 2026. (9-4)
Boston Public Gardens, BOSTON, MA. (9a - 4p) $75 (limit 14) Join artist Todd Bonita for an inspiring one-day plein air painting workshop set in the heart of the historic Boston Public Garden. This vibrant urban oasis, with its swan boats, footbridges, and blooming flowerbeds, offers a rich variety of subject matter—from grand trees and reflective water to charming city vignettes.
Designed for painters of all levels, this workshop will focus on simplifying the plein air process using Todd’s “Impressionist Playbook,” a three-stage approach: (1) The Lay-In, (2) Modification Layer, and (3) The Art Infusion Layer. You’ll receive personalized instruction, live demonstrations, and one-on-one feedback throughout the day.
Whether you're looking to loosen your brushwork, improve your composition skills, or simply enjoy a beautiful day painting outdoors, this workshop will leave you with valuable tools and renewed artistic inspiration.
What’s Included:
1 Day Intensive with Todd Bonita) September 23, 2026. (9-4)
Boston Public Gardens, BOSTON, MA. (9a - 4p) $75 (limit 14) Join artist Todd Bonita for an inspiring one-day plein air painting workshop set in the heart of the historic Boston Public Garden. This vibrant urban oasis, with its swan boats, footbridges, and blooming flowerbeds, offers a rich variety of subject matter—from grand trees and reflective water to charming city vignettes.
Designed for painters of all levels, this workshop will focus on simplifying the plein air process using Todd’s “Impressionist Playbook,” a three-stage approach: (1) The Lay-In, (2) Modification Layer, and (3) The Art Infusion Layer. You’ll receive personalized instruction, live demonstrations, and one-on-one feedback throughout the day.
Whether you're looking to loosen your brushwork, improve your composition skills, or simply enjoy a beautiful day painting outdoors, this workshop will leave you with valuable tools and renewed artistic inspiration.
What’s Included:
- Full day of painting instruction (9 AM – 4 PM)
- Demonstrations and individualized critiques
- A beautiful and supportive group environment
- Your plein air painting gear (Bring what you have but I will share my tools and materials list below)
- Lunch, snacks, and plenty of water
- Sunscreen, hat, and comfortable clothing
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 "Boston Gardens" 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 "Boston Gardens" in the memo on the check.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Only if it rains we will use the bandstand pavillion, near Frog Pond.
WHEN: Date to be announced. (9-4pm)
WHERE: Boston Public Gardens, Boston, Mass. (Meet by the Swan boats pond below the bridge.
PARKING: Easier than you think!!...Im parking at Charles Street garage below the Boston common and simply walking up. Consider car pooling too and please feel free to ask your artist friends to join you.
RENDEZVOUS POINT: Meet by the Swan boats pond, below the bridge
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. A view catcher is an excellent idea as well.
BATHROOMS: At Starbucks nearby.
WEATHER: Will check in the ten day forecast as we get closer.
RAIN PLAN: We will paint rain or shine as the Public gardens offers some excellent rainy day options; We will gather under the covered bandstand music pavilion if it rains.
BALANCE: Please bring your outstanding balance to class. Checks made out to me, Todd Bonita. Cash for teachers pet.
WHAT ELSE: We will begin with introductions followed by expectations, demo, lecture and students paint all day while I provide side-by-side easel assistance. I’m excited to meet and paint with you all.
ANYTHING ELSE? Yes, Bring a painter friend and car pool.
TODDs CELL: (603) 819-9100.
If you are running late, no worries, come join us by the Swan boat pond below the bridge and we will have some ice tea waiting for you.
Kind regards to you all. Can’t wait!
Todd Bonita
WHERE: Boston Public Gardens, Boston, Mass. (Meet by the Swan boats pond below the bridge.
PARKING: Easier than you think!!...Im parking at Charles Street garage below the Boston common and simply walking up. Consider car pooling too and please feel free to ask your artist friends to join you.
RENDEZVOUS POINT: Meet by the Swan boats pond, below the bridge
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. A view catcher is an excellent idea as well.
BATHROOMS: At Starbucks nearby.
WEATHER: Will check in the ten day forecast as we get closer.
RAIN PLAN: We will paint rain or shine as the Public gardens offers some excellent rainy day options; We will gather under the covered bandstand music pavilion if it rains.
BALANCE: Please bring your outstanding balance to class. Checks made out to me, Todd Bonita. Cash for teachers pet.
WHAT ELSE: We will begin with introductions followed by expectations, demo, lecture and students paint all day while I provide side-by-side easel assistance. I’m excited to meet and paint with you all.
ANYTHING ELSE? Yes, Bring a painter friend and car pool.
TODDs CELL: (603) 819-9100.
If you are running late, no worries, come join us by the Swan boat pond below the bridge and we will have some ice tea waiting for you.
Kind regards to you all. Can’t wait!
Todd Bonita
ART SUPPLIES
Please feel free to bring the supplies you are comfortable with, however, Im happy to share what I use:
Todd's 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
Todd's 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
