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Picture
ISLES of SHOALS
1 Day painting excursion
 (Todd Bonita)
2018 Date to be announced  (Wednesday) Star Island, NH

1 Day (Limit 12)  $100
Call Todd to register (603) 819-9100


REGISTER:
email Todd Bonita:   tmbonita@gmail.com  or call (603) 819-9100
or mail a check made out to Todd Bonita to hold your space in the amount of ($100.00).  Please write, "Isles of Shoals" in the Memo and mail to: 
Todd Bonita
30 Hillside Drive

Greenland, NH 03840

(These one day workshops will fill and wait list, please reserve asap to insure a space).

Join us for an all day painting adventure, nine miles from the shores of the New Hampshire mainland on picturesque Star Island.   We will paint in the shadow of Childe Hassam, amidst the rocky coast, seaside shacks and cottages, Lighthouse, Celia Thaxters garden and the Atlantic ocean.

There will be a plein air painting demonstration and discussion of composition, design, value and capturing light and atmosphere in your paintings.  Beginners, experienced artist and those who have never painted before are welcome to join this supportive and spirited group.  I will be providing personal attention at your easel as I make the rounds and will answer to inquires through out the day.   Class will resume with a group critique.

There is a restaurant at the Oceanic hotel but please feel free to bring a boxed lunch and drink.  Bathrooms are available on the island.  Our privately chartered boat departs from Rye harbor at 8am.  Our return trip departs from the island at 4pm for a 4:45 arrival back on the mainland.  It is a full day of painting and will be very informative and fun.   Cost includes workshop only.  Please pay the chartered boat fee at the dock $45 round trip.  Parking in the Rye Harbor lot is $5 cash all day.   
(Star Island requests $8 island donation for the preservation of the land).

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RESERVE FERRY & DIRECTIONS:
By signing up for this workshop, you have automatically reserved a space on the ferry.  

The ferry cost $45 and can be paid at the dock on the day of departure.  This is a separate fee from the cost of the workshop that you are responsible for.  Because we have reserved this charter privately, we are required to pay a sum up front to reserve the boat.  For this reason, if you should decide to cancel your workshop reservation less than 30 days from departure, you will forfeit $45 to cover our cost for the ferry.  Cancellations before 30 days of departure date will receive a full refund.

We have reserved a private charter from "Uncle Oscars" to ferry us to and from the Isle of Shoals.  The ferry leaves Rye Harbor in Rye, New Hampshire at 8am.  Please arrive 30 minutes or more to board equipment and yourselves.  We will arrive on Star Island at 8:45 am.
The ferry will depart from Star island later that day at 4:00 pm.  and arrive back at the mainland at 4:45pm.  *(If you are running late getting to the am departure, please call my cell phone as soon as you anticipate being late and I will hold the ferry within reason.  Note that cell phone reception is spotty in Rye as you aproach the Ferry so do not wait last minute for this call.  My cell is 603-819-9100).

Directions to Rye Harbor, Rye NH:
Rye Harbor State Marina
RTe 1 - A Ocean Blvd
Rye, NH 03870


Minutes from Portsmouth or Hampton, picturesque Rye Harbor is nestled cozily into the scenic shoreline.  As the closest mainland port to the Isles of Shoals, Rye Harbor bustles with a myriad of maritime activities.  Ample parking and direct ocean access add convenience to this quant locale.

FROM POINTS NORTH ON I-95
Rte 95 South.  Take Exit 3B.  Right onto Rte 33 East.  Go 1.4 miles to 4th light; right onto Peverly Hill Rd. (becomes Elwyn Rd.)  Go 2 miles to Rte 1A; south 6 miles to Rye Harbor State Marina.

FROM POINTS NORTHWEST ON RTS 4&16
Take I-95 South.  See above directions.

FROM POINTS WEST
Rte 101 East.  Take Exit 12.  Left onto Rte 111 East, follow 6.4 miles to Rte 1-A.  Left onto Rte 1-A North.  3 miles to Rye Harbor State Marina.

FROM POINTS SOUTH ON I-95
Rte 95 North, take Exit 2 onto Rte 101 West.  Follow 1 mile.  Take exit 12.  Right onto Rte 111 East (see above for 111 East).

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ITINERARY:
7:30am Arrive at Rye Harbor Marina for Ferry
8:00am Ferry leaves for Shoals. 45 minute journey
8:45am Arrive at Star Island, exit ferry and assemble on the grass in front of Oceanic Hotel
9:00am Painting demonstration and lecture.  (I will not be offended if you wish to depart to a painting local and begin your work.  This is a relaxed workshop with an opportunity to learn and have fun but please feel free to be a self starter and go at your own pace.  After lecture and demo, you will find a spot to set up and paint. I will make the rounds to everyone during the day.
12:00pm Meet for lunch on the porch of the Oceanic hotel.  Those who are on more remote locations, please feel free to do as you please and continue to paint if you are catching fire.  Our lunch meeting is simply an opportunity to share camaraderie and chat about the days progress.
1:00pm resume painting until 3:00
3:00pm Assemble on the porch of the Oceanic Hotel for a group critique.
4:00pm  Boat departs Star Island for mainland
4:45pm Ferry arrives in Rye Harbor


* Please bring a lunch and drink.
*There is a bathroom on the island that we may use
* Please bring appropriate clothing, it may be a few degrees cooler on the island than the mainland.
*Please bring appropriate footwear for light walking.
*If it rains we will paint on the porch of the Oceanic hotel.  It has wonderful coverage.  there are other sheltered structures on the island as well that are additional options.  The view from the grand porch is phenomenal and affords many painting options.

ART SUPPLY LIST:
Supply list: (Isles of Shoals Plein air workshop)
(Think light weight and portable, find creative ways to simplify...I manage to pack everything below in a back pack and hit the trail. I get most of my supplies online at ASW, Jerrys Artarama, Dick Blick, Cheap Joes or Utrecht). 
Portable Easel
French easel, half easel or Pochade box for working outside. 
(I use the 10x12" Open Box M system and sometimes the 6x8" Guerilla box for smaller work, both are mounted to a photographers tripod.  I use a $35 photographers tripod I bought at Wall Mart.  If you prefer the French easels, go with the lighter and smaller Jullian Half box easel.  Last year I also bought the Cadillac of outdoor easels, The Soletek easel.  It's not cheap, I bought mine used on Ebay.  You might check Ebay or try "All of Craigslist" search for whatever easel you decide to go with.  * Here is a terrific article on Pochade Box reviews from the popular Lines and Colors blog.  This will give you a thorough understanding of whats available and best for you.  Click here.
Palette
I recommend a wood palette. 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)....Please spend the extra for professional grade paints.  I use Williamsburg, Winsor & Newton, Gamblin and Utrecht but there are many good options.)
Alkyd White (Alkyd is a quick dry paint that plays nice with oils.  For brands, Gamblin, DaVinci and my favorite is by C.A.S. Alkyd Pro)
Titanium White
Cad Yellow 
Yellow ochre
Alizeran Crimson
Cadmium Red 
Ultramarine Blue
Cobalt Blue or Cerulean Blue
Burnt Sienna
Greenish Umber (By Rembrandt), Olive Green or Terre Vert (*Optional)
Viridian (*Optional)
Ivory black (*Optional)
raw or burnt umber (*Optional)
Painting surface
Canvas, canvas or linen mounted on board or gessoed wood panel (sizes can range from 6x8” to 14x18” but I would not go larger)...(Bring enough for two paintings each day.
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)
*One or two Royal sable flats in medium and large sizes (size 10 or 16) for blending and softening edges (I prefer Langnickel.)
*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
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!  Wether homemade or store bought, it must be adjustable or proportionate to your canvases. Viewcatcher is ideal.
Ruby Beholder
Artist paint box or back pack for supplies
Wet paint carrier. I love the PanelPaks...they are lightweight and convenient.
*Appropriate clothing for outdoor weather and conditions.
Optional
Hat
sunglasses
Water bottle or something to drink, snack
Sun block
Bug spray
If you are uncomfortable standing you may consider a portable folding chair
Wheeled caddy for supplies if necessary
Camera
Umbrella
ABOUT ISLE OF SHOALS:
Some fun and helpful links: 

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Isle of Shoals (Portsmouth.com)
Isle of Shoals on Wikipedia
Visit Isle of Shoals