NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
5 Day Landscape painting retreat. Lunenburge, Nova Scotia. Canada
July 18 -24, 2027
Peggys Cove, Nove Scotia.
NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
Landscape Painting Retreat
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
July 18 - 24 , 2027 (Limit 10)
(Sunday arrival is a free day, workshop is Monday thru Friday, bus returns to airport Saturday at 10am.)
All inclusive package: $2,900 (* double occupancy)
(*Single Occupancy w/ private bath add $500)
* (non-workshop spouse / Guest welcome @ $1,800)
All inclusive package includes:
5 day Workshop instruction,
6 night Accommodations,
6 Breakfasts,
Ground transportation to and from Halifax Stanfield International airport,
All ground transportation to and from daily painting locations.
(Does not include Air or travel insurance. You are responsible for your evening meals..We have some excellent restaurants and will always invite you to dine with the group).
Call Todd to register (603) 819-9100
Email Todd: [email protected]
Five-Day Painting Retreat | Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Join me for five inspiring days of painting in one of Canada's most beautiful coastal regions. Based in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, we'll explore and paint iconic locations including Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg's historic waterfront, Blue Rocks, and other nearby gems.
This is a painting retreat, not a traditional workshop. The focus is on immersive painting, shared experiences, and creative exploration in spectacular locations. I'll be there to paint alongside you, offer guidance when needed, and host group critiques to encourage growth and fresh perspectives.
Beyond painting, we'll visit local art galleries, enjoy meals together, and spend our evenings talking art, technique, and inspiration with fellow painters.
Oil and acrylic painters are welcome, and all experience levels are invited to join. Whether you're looking to deepen your practice, discover new landscapes, or simply enjoy a week surrounded by art and community, this retreat offers the perfect balance of creativity, camaraderie, and the beauty of Nova Scotia's South Shore.
What’s Included:
Oil painters of all levels who are eager to work outdoors and refine their skills under expert tutelage.
Scroll below for:
Registration
Accommodations
Travel / Passport
Art Supply
Itinerary
FAQ
Landscape Painting Retreat
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
July 18 - 24 , 2027 (Limit 10)
(Sunday arrival is a free day, workshop is Monday thru Friday, bus returns to airport Saturday at 10am.)
All inclusive package: $2,900 (* double occupancy)
(*Single Occupancy w/ private bath add $500)
* (non-workshop spouse / Guest welcome @ $1,800)
All inclusive package includes:
5 day Workshop instruction,
6 night Accommodations,
6 Breakfasts,
Ground transportation to and from Halifax Stanfield International airport,
All ground transportation to and from daily painting locations.
(Does not include Air or travel insurance. You are responsible for your evening meals..We have some excellent restaurants and will always invite you to dine with the group).
Call Todd to register (603) 819-9100
Email Todd: [email protected]
Five-Day Painting Retreat | Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Join me for five inspiring days of painting in one of Canada's most beautiful coastal regions. Based in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, we'll explore and paint iconic locations including Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg's historic waterfront, Blue Rocks, and other nearby gems.
This is a painting retreat, not a traditional workshop. The focus is on immersive painting, shared experiences, and creative exploration in spectacular locations. I'll be there to paint alongside you, offer guidance when needed, and host group critiques to encourage growth and fresh perspectives.
Beyond painting, we'll visit local art galleries, enjoy meals together, and spend our evenings talking art, technique, and inspiration with fellow painters.
Oil and acrylic painters are welcome, and all experience levels are invited to join. Whether you're looking to deepen your practice, discover new landscapes, or simply enjoy a week surrounded by art and community, this retreat offers the perfect balance of creativity, camaraderie, and the beauty of Nova Scotia's South Shore.
What’s Included:
- Six nights accommodations at our group Inn, Breakfast and boxed lunch.
- Five full days of plein air painting and individual critiques.
- Ground transportation to and from Halifax Stanfield Int. Airport & all ground transport to and from daily paint sites.
- Access to a variety of iconic and hidden Lunenburg painting spots
- A supportive, small group environment (limited spaces available)
Oil painters of all levels who are eager to work outdoors and refine their skills under expert tutelage.
Scroll below for:
Registration
Accommodations
Travel / Passport
Art Supply
Itinerary
FAQ
REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION:
All Inclusive retreat package $2,900 (*Double Occ). (*Single Occ/Private bath add $500).
* ( non-workshop spouse / guest package $1,800).
(package includes 5 day retreat, Accommodations 6 nights, 6 Breakfasts. All ground transport to and from airport and all painting sites.
* ( non-workshop guest package includes everything except the painting / critiques and presumes guest is sharing a room with their spouse / significant other).
(Price does not include Airfare or travel insurance).
Call Todd Bonita (603) 819-9100
email: [email protected]
$500 Deposit required to hold your space in the workshop. We accept the following types of payment:
1) Credit card or Pay Pal (add 4% for process fee)
2) Venmo @Todd-bonita (add 2% for Venmo’s new process fee)
3) Cash for teachers pet.😎
4) Checks. Please make check out to Todd Bonita and mailed to:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave.
Greenland, NH 03840
Please write, "Whisson Lunenburg workshop" in the memo on the check for my bookkeeper.
PAYMENTS for WORKSHOP
1) $5 deposit due at registration to reserve your space and hold your room. ($1,000 if including non-workshop guest).
2) Balance / Final payment due 60 days before workshop.
CANCELATION / REFUND POLICY:
* 90 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $100 deposit admin and thrird party admin fee.
* 89 - 60 days notice of cancellation 100% of your payment to date, less $250 deposit admin and thrid 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 disruptions 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, we have 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.
All Inclusive retreat package $2,900 (*Double Occ). (*Single Occ/Private bath add $500).
* ( non-workshop spouse / guest package $1,800).
(package includes 5 day retreat, Accommodations 6 nights, 6 Breakfasts. All ground transport to and from airport and all painting sites.
* ( non-workshop guest package includes everything except the painting / critiques and presumes guest is sharing a room with their spouse / significant other).
(Price does not include Airfare or travel insurance).
Call Todd Bonita (603) 819-9100
email: [email protected]
$500 Deposit required to hold your space in the workshop. We accept the following types of payment:
1) Credit card or Pay Pal (add 4% for process fee)
2) Venmo @Todd-bonita (add 2% for Venmo’s new process fee)
3) Cash for teachers pet.😎
4) Checks. Please make check out to Todd Bonita and mailed to:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave.
Greenland, NH 03840
Please write, "Whisson Lunenburg workshop" in the memo on the check for my bookkeeper.
PAYMENTS for WORKSHOP
1) $5 deposit due at registration to reserve your space and hold your room. ($1,000 if including non-workshop guest).
2) Balance / Final payment due 60 days before workshop.
CANCELATION / REFUND POLICY:
* 90 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $100 deposit admin and thrird party admin fee.
* 89 - 60 days notice of cancellation 100% of your payment to date, less $250 deposit admin and thrid 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 disruptions 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, we have 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
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Our INN is located in the quaint harbor town of Lunenburg and will be headquarters for our retreat. It is a stones throw from Halifax and Peggys Cove. Your package includes:
* 6 Nights stay from Sunday thru check out on Saturday
* All rooms are very cozy and have Queen bed and private bath
* Full Breakfast each morning
* WIFI in all rooms
* Non-workshop spouse / guest / friend / significant others are welcome to join our Irish adventure at prorate of $1,800, presuming they will be sharing a room with the registered participant they are traveling with. This rate entitles the guest to the same package as the retreat participant but simply excludes the 5 day art lecture / critique & instruction.
Our INN is located in the quaint harbor town of Lunenburg and will be headquarters for our retreat. It is a stones throw from Halifax and Peggys Cove. Your package includes:
* 6 Nights stay from Sunday thru check out on Saturday
* All rooms are very cozy and have Queen bed and private bath
* Full Breakfast each morning
* WIFI in all rooms
* Non-workshop spouse / guest / friend / significant others are welcome to join our Irish adventure at prorate of $1,800, presuming they will be sharing a room with the registered participant they are traveling with. This rate entitles the guest to the same package as the retreat participant but simply excludes the 5 day art lecture / critique & instruction.
SUPPLY LIST
Supply List
(I buy my supplies at Jerrysartarama.com, Dickblick.com, Cheapjoes.com, Utrecht.com)
Please bring a table easel, I have extras if you don't have one.
Pallete
I recommend a wood palette. I have glass too for one of my boxes...try to avoid paper pallets.
Paint
*(I recommend a Split-Primary palette, this is 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.)
Titanium White
Alkyd White (Alkyd is a quick dry paint that plays nice with oils. For brands, Winsor and Newton Griffin, Gamblin, DaVinci)
Titanium White
Cad Yellow Medium
Yellow ochre
Alizeran Crimson Permanent
Cadmium Red Medium
Ultramarine Blue
Cobalt Blue or Cerulean Blue
Raw umber
Ivory Black
Burnt Sienna (optional)
Greenish Umber (By Rembrandt) (Optional)
Viridian (optional)
Painting surface
Canvas, canvas or linen mounted on board or gessoed wood panel...I recommend (8x10”) or (9x12”)
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
(I buy my supplies at Jerrysartarama.com, Dickblick.com, Cheapjoes.com, Utrecht.com)
Please bring a table easel, I have extras if you don't have one.
Pallete
I recommend a wood palette. I have glass too for one of my boxes...try to avoid paper pallets.
Paint
*(I recommend a Split-Primary palette, this is 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.)
Titanium White
Alkyd White (Alkyd is a quick dry paint that plays nice with oils. For brands, Winsor and Newton Griffin, Gamblin, DaVinci)
Titanium White
Cad Yellow Medium
Yellow ochre
Alizeran Crimson Permanent
Cadmium Red Medium
Ultramarine Blue
Cobalt Blue or Cerulean Blue
Raw umber
Ivory Black
Burnt Sienna (optional)
Greenish Umber (By Rembrandt) (Optional)
Viridian (optional)
Painting surface
Canvas, canvas or linen mounted on board or gessoed wood panel...I recommend (8x10”) or (9x12”)
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
FLYING with PAINT / TSA / PASSPORT
FLYING w/ PAINT (TSA)
It is recommended that you pack your paints in your checked suitcase, NOT carry-on. I include a typed note saying, "ARTIST COLORS MADE FROM VEGETABLE OILS".... in the event of TSA investigating my luggage. Never had a problem. You can print this note and keep it with your paints.
GAMBLIN (Travel with paint tips)
* International TSA regulations do not exclude Gamsol brush cleaner from air travel. Make sure its in an air tight container.
* You can ship regulated / air travel-prohibited mediums to our destination. Please email me for details.
*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.
PASSPORT
* if Nova Scotia is an International flight for you, you will require a passport. Make sure yours is up to date and not expired.
** PLEASE NOTE** If your passport expires within three months of your travel time, you cannot fly International. Its fairly simple and expediant to update your passport these days.
It is recommended that you pack your paints in your checked suitcase, NOT carry-on. I include a typed note saying, "ARTIST COLORS MADE FROM VEGETABLE OILS".... in the event of TSA investigating my luggage. Never had a problem. You can print this note and keep it with your paints.
GAMBLIN (Travel with paint tips)
* International TSA regulations do not exclude Gamsol brush cleaner from air travel. Make sure its in an air tight container.
* You can ship regulated / air travel-prohibited mediums to our destination. Please email me for details.
*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.
PASSPORT
* if Nova Scotia is an International flight for you, you will require a passport. Make sure yours is up to date and not expired.
** PLEASE NOTE** If your passport expires within three months of your travel time, you cannot fly International. Its fairly simple and expediant to update your passport these days.
ITINERARY
ITINERARY
Sunday:
4:00 pm: Rendezvous at Halifax Stanfield International airport, arrival terminal for van pick up and ride to Lunenburg accommodations (1hr, 30 minutes). to our Bed and Breakfast. (Specific details provided after workshop registration).
Todd's cell # (603) 819-9100).
Check in, relax, option to meet at nearby restaurant, informal, get acquainted dinner and /or drinks.
Monday:
After breakfast, Van will take us daily to our painting site. Boxed lunch will be provided daily. Paint in Lunenburg village. Workshop is from 9am -4pm daily. The van will take us back to the BnB unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday:
After breakfast, Van will take us daily to our painting site.
Wednesday:
After breakfast, Van will take us daily to our painting site.
Thurssday:
After breakfast, Van will take us daily to our painting site.
Friday:
After breakfast, Van will take us daily to our painting site.
Saturday:
After breakfast, Rendezvous at 9am at the hotel lobby with luggage. Van will take you to airport for departure (about 1 hour, 30 minutes with aprox arrival time of 1030am)
Sunday:
4:00 pm: Rendezvous at Halifax Stanfield International airport, arrival terminal for van pick up and ride to Lunenburg accommodations (1hr, 30 minutes). to our Bed and Breakfast. (Specific details provided after workshop registration).
Todd's cell # (603) 819-9100).
Check in, relax, option to meet at nearby restaurant, informal, get acquainted dinner and /or drinks.
Monday:
After breakfast, Van will take us daily to our painting site. Boxed lunch will be provided daily. Paint in Lunenburg village. Workshop is from 9am -4pm daily. The van will take us back to the BnB unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday:
After breakfast, Van will take us daily to our painting site.
Wednesday:
After breakfast, Van will take us daily to our painting site.
Thurssday:
After breakfast, Van will take us daily to our painting site.
Friday:
After breakfast, Van will take us daily to our painting site.
Saturday:
After breakfast, Rendezvous at 9am at the hotel lobby with luggage. Van will take you to airport for departure (about 1 hour, 30 minutes with aprox arrival time of 1030am)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(1) What if it rains?
(a) If its a light mist and occasional showers, we will tread on. Bring an easel umbrella. I like Easy L umbrella. CLICK HERE
Otherwise, we have an excellent indoor facility nearby.
(2) What should we wear?
Dress appropriately for the weather. July average temps are high of 72 - 79F and a low of 54 F. For me, that is almost idealistic outdoor painting weather. July is one of the warmest months in Nova Scotia and presents one of the most pleasant outdoor painting conditions. You may bring a hat with visor for sun protection and to keep your valuable artist eyes fresh from sun fatigue. You may wish to bring sun block as well. There is not a lot of strenuous walking but it is advised to bring comfortable shoes....Or, as Stapleton Kearns advises plein air painters, "Put butter in your shoes"...LOL
(3) What kind of currency should I bring?
Canadian dollars!. Most of the places we will go to accept credit cards but I like to bring some cash along as well for tipping or "just in case cash". For a week long workshop, I'm comfortable with my credit cards and a few hundred in cash. Please be sure to exchange your currency into Canadian Dollars
* Let your credit card company know you are traveling and you authorize use of your credit card for the time you will be away.
(4) Do they have hairdryers at the BnB?
Yes. its also good to note that the electrical outlets in Canada are the same as in the US. If you are coming from a country outside of USA / Canada, you will need an adaptor for electrical ooutlets.
(5) Will my cell phone work in Lunenburg?
Yes. You should contact your cell phone service provider and let them know you would like to enable International travel calling for the time you are in Canada.
(1) What if it rains?
(a) If its a light mist and occasional showers, we will tread on. Bring an easel umbrella. I like Easy L umbrella. CLICK HERE
Otherwise, we have an excellent indoor facility nearby.
(2) What should we wear?
Dress appropriately for the weather. July average temps are high of 72 - 79F and a low of 54 F. For me, that is almost idealistic outdoor painting weather. July is one of the warmest months in Nova Scotia and presents one of the most pleasant outdoor painting conditions. You may bring a hat with visor for sun protection and to keep your valuable artist eyes fresh from sun fatigue. You may wish to bring sun block as well. There is not a lot of strenuous walking but it is advised to bring comfortable shoes....Or, as Stapleton Kearns advises plein air painters, "Put butter in your shoes"...LOL
(3) What kind of currency should I bring?
Canadian dollars!. Most of the places we will go to accept credit cards but I like to bring some cash along as well for tipping or "just in case cash". For a week long workshop, I'm comfortable with my credit cards and a few hundred in cash. Please be sure to exchange your currency into Canadian Dollars
* Let your credit card company know you are traveling and you authorize use of your credit card for the time you will be away.
(4) Do they have hairdryers at the BnB?
Yes. its also good to note that the electrical outlets in Canada are the same as in the US. If you are coming from a country outside of USA / Canada, you will need an adaptor for electrical ooutlets.
(5) Will my cell phone work in Lunenburg?
Yes. You should contact your cell phone service provider and let them know you would like to enable International travel calling for the time you are in Canada.
