NORWAY
5 DAY PLEIN AIR PAINTING RETREAT w/ Todd Bonita. May 17 - 23, 2026
NORWAY PAINTING RETREAT
Balestrand, Norway
May 17 - 23, 2026 (Sunday - Saturday)
($2,900 Double Occ / shared bath. Add $550 for single w/ private bath) (Limit 14)
* All inclusive accommodations / Breakfast / Lunch / Ferry through the Fjords roundtrip from Bergen to Hotel / ground transportation to all day trip excursions.
Call Todd to Register: (603) 819-9100
or email: [email protected]
Discover the beauty of Norway on our five-day Plein Air Painting Retreat, set against the stunning backdrop of the Sognefjord, the longest and deepest Fjord in Norway. Our historic Hotel, perched majestically overlooking the scenic fjord, offers inspiring views and comfortable elegance. This is a 10-out-of-10 on the comfort scale.
Throughout the retreat, you'll have ample opportunity to develop and refine your plein air painting skills guided by experienced instruction. The program includes daily outdoor sketching and painting sessions, personalized feedback, and demonstrations that focus on capturing the unique light, atmosphere, and landscapes of the region.
Explore the nearby art colony, a historic hub for artists since the early 20th century, renowned for its cultural relevance and vibrant creative community. This retreat is designed not only to inspire your artistic spirit but also to deepen your technical skills, making it perfect for artists of all levels seeking to connect with Norway’s captivating scenery and artistic legacy.
Scroll below for:
Registration
Accommodations
Travel / Passport
Art Supply
Itinerary
FAQ
More.
Balestrand, Norway
May 17 - 23, 2026 (Sunday - Saturday)
($2,900 Double Occ / shared bath. Add $550 for single w/ private bath) (Limit 14)
* All inclusive accommodations / Breakfast / Lunch / Ferry through the Fjords roundtrip from Bergen to Hotel / ground transportation to all day trip excursions.
Call Todd to Register: (603) 819-9100
or email: [email protected]
Discover the beauty of Norway on our five-day Plein Air Painting Retreat, set against the stunning backdrop of the Sognefjord, the longest and deepest Fjord in Norway. Our historic Hotel, perched majestically overlooking the scenic fjord, offers inspiring views and comfortable elegance. This is a 10-out-of-10 on the comfort scale.
Throughout the retreat, you'll have ample opportunity to develop and refine your plein air painting skills guided by experienced instruction. The program includes daily outdoor sketching and painting sessions, personalized feedback, and demonstrations that focus on capturing the unique light, atmosphere, and landscapes of the region.
Explore the nearby art colony, a historic hub for artists since the early 20th century, renowned for its cultural relevance and vibrant creative community. This retreat is designed not only to inspire your artistic spirit but also to deepen your technical skills, making it perfect for artists of all levels seeking to connect with Norway’s captivating scenery and artistic legacy.
Scroll below for:
Registration
Accommodations
Travel / Passport
Art Supply
Itinerary
FAQ
More.
REGISTER
REGISTRATION:
Includes:
* 6 Nights accommodations in an historic hotel overlooking Songefjord, Norways longest and deepest Fjord.
* Breakfast & take-away lunch daily.
* Roundtrip Ground transport from the airport to the ferry.
* Ferry through the Fjords roundtrip from Bergen to our Hotel in Balestrand.
* Ground transport to day trip excursions.
* Art instruction, demos, critiques and side-by-side easel assistance.
* $2,900 double occupancy w/shared bath.
* Add $550 for single Occupancy w/ private bath.
* $1,800 Non-painting guest
Call Todd: (603) 819-9100
email: [email protected]
$500 Deposit to hold your space. Check made out to Todd Bonita and mailed to my house:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave
Greenland, NH 03840
Please write, "Norway" in the memo on the check for my bookkeeper.
CANCELATION / REFUND POLICY:
* 120 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $50 deposit admin and thrid party admin fee.
* 90 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $500 deposit admin and thrird party admin fee.
* Less than 60 days NO REFUNDS. NO EXCEPTIONS.
I recommend you arrange for travel insurance in the unlikely event of an unintended disruption to your travel plans. Please understand that your deposits are used so that we can reserve our accommodations, transportation and reservations to third parties. For this reason, our vendors require a strict, refund / cancellation policy that honors our agreement to these third parties. Registration in this workshop presumes you have read the refund / cancellation policy and agree to it. To confirm you have read the policy, we will ask for a confirmation email to follow your registration.
In the event that you must cancel, your deposit and / or installment payments will be forfeited as detailed by the dates shown above. We will make every effort to find a wait-listed alternate to take your place.
Includes:
* 6 Nights accommodations in an historic hotel overlooking Songefjord, Norways longest and deepest Fjord.
* Breakfast & take-away lunch daily.
* Roundtrip Ground transport from the airport to the ferry.
* Ferry through the Fjords roundtrip from Bergen to our Hotel in Balestrand.
* Ground transport to day trip excursions.
* Art instruction, demos, critiques and side-by-side easel assistance.
* $2,900 double occupancy w/shared bath.
* Add $550 for single Occupancy w/ private bath.
* $1,800 Non-painting guest
Call Todd: (603) 819-9100
email: [email protected]
$500 Deposit to hold your space. Check made out to Todd Bonita and mailed to my house:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave
Greenland, NH 03840
Please write, "Norway" in the memo on the check for my bookkeeper.
CANCELATION / REFUND POLICY:
* 120 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $50 deposit admin and thrid party admin fee.
* 90 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $500 deposit admin and thrird party admin fee.
* Less than 60 days NO REFUNDS. NO EXCEPTIONS.
I recommend you arrange for travel insurance in the unlikely event of an unintended disruption to your travel plans. Please understand that your deposits are used so that we can reserve our accommodations, transportation and reservations to third parties. For this reason, our vendors require a strict, refund / cancellation policy that honors our agreement to these third parties. Registration in this workshop presumes you have read the refund / cancellation policy and agree to it. To confirm you have read the policy, we will ask for a confirmation email to follow your registration.
In the event that you must cancel, your deposit and / or installment payments will be forfeited as detailed by the dates shown above. We will make every effort to find a wait-listed alternate to take your place.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Our historic hotel sits only steps from the water in the majestic Fjord town of Balestrand, overlooking Songefjord, Norways longest and deepest Fjord. Surrounded by quaint Norweigian fishing villages, waterfalls and inspiring veiws that influenced some of the most important Norwegian Artists in the nearby Art colony.
FLIGHT / FERRY
FLIGHT
Bergen Airport, Flesland. (Located about 11 miles south of Bergen center city)
* We will pick you up from the airport at 1pm oon Sunday and take you to downtown Bergen to the ferry landing, where we will take one of the worlds most picturesque ferry rides through the grand Fjords of Norway to our hotel. I will have a bottle of wine and we can toast and relax on the ferry.
* I am personally flying into Bergen on Saturday to arrive a day early, I heard great things about this charming city. Let me know if you would also like to come a day early.
* Flights from Boston are priced at less than $600 currently but this will fluctuate. You are responsible for your flight.
(Purchase your flight as soon as you register to insure best rate and times). I use google flights to get the best price.
Passport
* If Norway is an International flight for you, you will require a passport. Make sure yours is up to date and not expired.
FERRY
* From Bergen, on Sunday at 4pm, we will catch a magnificant Fjord ferry ride to our hotel in Balestrand. The Norled Ferry Terminal is at Strandkaiterminalen (Strandkaien Ferry Terminal) Strandkaien 15, 5013 Bergen, Norway. If you decide to come a day early, meet us at the Ferry terminal at 2pm. The ferry is 4 hours though the Fjords and is a photographers dream. It is very relaxing on board.
Bergen Airport, Flesland. (Located about 11 miles south of Bergen center city)
* We will pick you up from the airport at 1pm oon Sunday and take you to downtown Bergen to the ferry landing, where we will take one of the worlds most picturesque ferry rides through the grand Fjords of Norway to our hotel. I will have a bottle of wine and we can toast and relax on the ferry.
* I am personally flying into Bergen on Saturday to arrive a day early, I heard great things about this charming city. Let me know if you would also like to come a day early.
* Flights from Boston are priced at less than $600 currently but this will fluctuate. You are responsible for your flight.
(Purchase your flight as soon as you register to insure best rate and times). I use google flights to get the best price.
Passport
* If Norway is an International flight for you, you will require a passport. Make sure yours is up to date and not expired.
FERRY
* From Bergen, on Sunday at 4pm, we will catch a magnificant Fjord ferry ride to our hotel in Balestrand. The Norled Ferry Terminal is at Strandkaiterminalen (Strandkaien Ferry Terminal) Strandkaien 15, 5013 Bergen, Norway. If you decide to come a day early, meet us at the Ferry terminal at 2pm. The ferry is 4 hours though the Fjords and is a photographers dream. It is very relaxing on board.
ART SUPPLY / FLY w PAINT
ART SUPPLY LIST
(Click here to go to an illustrated page of my Plein air painting supplies)
(Think light weight and portable, find creative ways to simplify...I manage to pack everything below in a back pack. I get most of my supplies online at ASW, Jerrys Artarama, Dick Blick, Cheap Joes or Utrecht).
Portable Easel
I reccommend a lightweight Pochade box for working outside.
(I use the 8x10" or 10x12" Open Box M system and sometimes the 6x8" Guerilla box for traveling, both are mounted to a photographers tripod. I also reccommend the popular UGO pochade. If you prefer the French easels, go with the lighter and smaller Jullian Half box easel.
Palette
I recommend a wood palette....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 Griffin Alkyd White)
Titanium White
Cad Yellow
Yellow ochre
Alizeran Crimson
Cadmium Red
Ultramarine Blue
Cerulean Blue
Sap Green
Raw Umber
Ivory black
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)...For a travel workshop like this, I will likely limit myself to only one or two sizes, like 8x10" and / or 9x12". This will simplify my wet carrier system as well.
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 ***You cannot travel with Liquin or solvents*** There is an art supply store in Florence as an option.
Gamsol ***You cannot travel w/ Gamsol or Solvents*** I will provide Gamsol when you get there for $10 per can.
paper towels (Blue shop towels are the best)
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.
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
Camera
Umbrella
FLYING w/ PAINT (TSA)
* PLEASE NOTE * You CAN FLY WITH GAMSOL!!! It has a flash point of 140 degrees and is TSA safe for up to 3 gallons. Yes, you read that correct. Put it in your luggage and not your caerry on.
I will pick up Gamsol (Odorless Turpenoid substitute) at an Art shop in Florence and fill everyones brush cleaning jar if you wish...It will cost $10 to fill your jar. There is an art supply store in Florence, it can be fun to stop in and explore and purchase your own Gamsol or Turpentine substitute. Please let me know if you would like me to get you some so I can purchase the proper quantity.
GAMBLIN (Travel with paint tips)
This is an excellent, soup to nuts over view of how to travel with your paints and deal with TSA and insure best odds of smooth travel. CLICK HERE.
(Click here to go to an illustrated page of my Plein air painting supplies)
(Think light weight and portable, find creative ways to simplify...I manage to pack everything below in a back pack. I get most of my supplies online at ASW, Jerrys Artarama, Dick Blick, Cheap Joes or Utrecht).
Portable Easel
I reccommend a lightweight Pochade box for working outside.
(I use the 8x10" or 10x12" Open Box M system and sometimes the 6x8" Guerilla box for traveling, both are mounted to a photographers tripod. I also reccommend the popular UGO pochade. If you prefer the French easels, go with the lighter and smaller Jullian Half box easel.
Palette
I recommend a wood palette....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 Griffin Alkyd White)
Titanium White
Cad Yellow
Yellow ochre
Alizeran Crimson
Cadmium Red
Ultramarine Blue
Cerulean Blue
Sap Green
Raw Umber
Ivory black
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)...For a travel workshop like this, I will likely limit myself to only one or two sizes, like 8x10" and / or 9x12". This will simplify my wet carrier system as well.
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 ***You cannot travel with Liquin or solvents*** There is an art supply store in Florence as an option.
Gamsol ***You cannot travel w/ Gamsol or Solvents*** I will provide Gamsol when you get there for $10 per can.
paper towels (Blue shop towels are the best)
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.
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
Camera
Umbrella
FLYING w/ PAINT (TSA)
* PLEASE NOTE * You CAN FLY WITH GAMSOL!!! It has a flash point of 140 degrees and is TSA safe for up to 3 gallons. Yes, you read that correct. Put it in your luggage and not your caerry on.
I will pick up Gamsol (Odorless Turpenoid substitute) at an Art shop in Florence and fill everyones brush cleaning jar if you wish...It will cost $10 to fill your jar. There is an art supply store in Florence, it can be fun to stop in and explore and purchase your own Gamsol or Turpentine substitute. Please let me know if you would like me to get you some so I can purchase the proper quantity.
GAMBLIN (Travel with paint tips)
This is an excellent, soup to nuts over view of how to travel with your paints and deal with TSA and insure best odds of smooth travel. CLICK HERE.
Print this airline inspection notice and keep it with your paints in your Luggage.
ITINERARY
ITINERARY
Day 1 (Sunday: Pick up at airport at 1pm departure to downtown Bergen, Norled Ferry Terminal for 2pm rendezvous. (11 miles south of the airport) Ferry leaves at 4pm for our hotel in Balestrand. Ferry is a magnificant 4 hour Fjord ride, very relaxing. There will be wine, toasts and likely hundreds of landscape photos. check into hotel at around 8pm.Nigh - nights
Day 2 (Monday : First day of retreat begins after breakfast on location steps outside of the hotel. field studies all day.
A simple bagged lunch will be proveded daily so all we have to think about is painting.
Day 3 (Tuesday : We will meet after breakfast daily in front of the hotel with our paint gear ready to go at 9am to our daily paint sites. Our good fortune has placed us in the midst of paradise so our daily trips will be short distances...a hop and skip to a nearby fishing village, vista, waterfall or art colony haven..all very close by to maximize our painting time. We will painty until 4pm daily, then return to our hotel to relax, critique, have dinner, drinks and on occassion informal gatherings to paint inside as a group with a glass of wine.
Day 4 (Wednesday: Wash...rinse...repeat...Sigh.
Day 5 (Thursday : Youre getting the idea....
Day 6 Friday: Final day of painting: Finish strong in the field.
Day Saturday: Early departure at 7:50am ferry to Bergen. Arrive in Bergen at 12 and shuttle to the airport, 11 miles away arriving around 12:30 - 1:00.
Day 1 (Sunday: Pick up at airport at 1pm departure to downtown Bergen, Norled Ferry Terminal for 2pm rendezvous. (11 miles south of the airport) Ferry leaves at 4pm for our hotel in Balestrand. Ferry is a magnificant 4 hour Fjord ride, very relaxing. There will be wine, toasts and likely hundreds of landscape photos. check into hotel at around 8pm.Nigh - nights
Day 2 (Monday : First day of retreat begins after breakfast on location steps outside of the hotel. field studies all day.
A simple bagged lunch will be proveded daily so all we have to think about is painting.
Day 3 (Tuesday : We will meet after breakfast daily in front of the hotel with our paint gear ready to go at 9am to our daily paint sites. Our good fortune has placed us in the midst of paradise so our daily trips will be short distances...a hop and skip to a nearby fishing village, vista, waterfall or art colony haven..all very close by to maximize our painting time. We will painty until 4pm daily, then return to our hotel to relax, critique, have dinner, drinks and on occassion informal gatherings to paint inside as a group with a glass of wine.
Day 4 (Wednesday: Wash...rinse...repeat...Sigh.
Day 5 (Thursday : Youre getting the idea....
Day 6 Friday: Final day of painting: Finish strong in the field.
Day Saturday: Early departure at 7:50am ferry to Bergen. Arrive in Bergen at 12 and shuttle to the airport, 11 miles away arriving around 12:30 - 1:00.
NORWAYS ART COLONY
Many of these were painted in the nearby Art colony and Songefjord.
F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) Can I... Let me stop you rite there...YES! YOU CAN FLY with GAMSOL. Keep it in your luggage NOT your carry on.
2) What do we do if it rains: We have an excellent indoor facility to paint if it rains. We will have tonsd of photos to work from too.
1) Can I... Let me stop you rite there...YES! YOU CAN FLY with GAMSOL. Keep it in your luggage NOT your carry on.
2) What do we do if it rains: We have an excellent indoor facility to paint if it rains. We will have tonsd of photos to work from too.