PLEIN AIR PAINTING CRITIQUE CLUB
An Independent Outdoor Painting and Critique Group (Tuesdays).
PLEIN AIR PAINTING CRITIQUE CLUB
Seacoast NH / York County, Maine
June 03 - July 22, 2025 (6 Tuesdays) 1 -430
(Limit 12) $275
*New Hampshire Art Association members 20% 0ff = $220
* (Drop in $50 if space available). (NHAA MEMBERS: $40)
* (Plein air Crit club follows Plein air Tuesdays in the same location. Please inquire if you wish to register for both and work on your painting all day).
*ALSO AVAILABLE on MONDAYS
Bring your brushes, art supplies and color spattered jeans to weekly outdoor painting sessions on the New Hampshire and southern Maine seacoast. We show up, set up, paint nature for three hours, followed by a group critique lead by Todd Bonita. We solve painting problems using academic principles and objective critique. We point out the strengths in your canvas, identify weakness and provide strategy and tools to resolve the problematic areas of your work.
Our Painting Study group is an opportunity for like-minded spirits to meet with their peers regularly and establish a habitual painting routine, exchange ideas and get critical eyes on works in progress. By solving visual problems in a group setting, your painitng intellect will grow exponentially while proving to be an excellent venue to exercise your understanding of the visual language of picture making through the critique process. This intimate club is small and limited to only 12 and will fill.
Weekly locations will be sent to you upon registration. All locations have parking, bathrooms and excellent motif options.
*(No class June 24 and July 08, 2025).
Call Todd to register (603) 819-9100
or email Todd: [email protected]
We accept:
* Credit Cards or PAY PAL (3.6% Process fee)
* Venmo: @Todd-Bonita (Process fee 2%)
* Cash (for Teachers Pet)
* Checks. Made out to Todd Bonita and mail to:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave
Greenland, NH 03840
Please write in the memo on the check, "Plein air Painting Critique Club" for my book keeper.
Seacoast NH / York County, Maine
June 03 - July 22, 2025 (6 Tuesdays) 1 -430
(Limit 12) $275
*New Hampshire Art Association members 20% 0ff = $220
* (Drop in $50 if space available). (NHAA MEMBERS: $40)
* (Plein air Crit club follows Plein air Tuesdays in the same location. Please inquire if you wish to register for both and work on your painting all day).
*ALSO AVAILABLE on MONDAYS
Bring your brushes, art supplies and color spattered jeans to weekly outdoor painting sessions on the New Hampshire and southern Maine seacoast. We show up, set up, paint nature for three hours, followed by a group critique lead by Todd Bonita. We solve painting problems using academic principles and objective critique. We point out the strengths in your canvas, identify weakness and provide strategy and tools to resolve the problematic areas of your work.
Our Painting Study group is an opportunity for like-minded spirits to meet with their peers regularly and establish a habitual painting routine, exchange ideas and get critical eyes on works in progress. By solving visual problems in a group setting, your painitng intellect will grow exponentially while proving to be an excellent venue to exercise your understanding of the visual language of picture making through the critique process. This intimate club is small and limited to only 12 and will fill.
Weekly locations will be sent to you upon registration. All locations have parking, bathrooms and excellent motif options.
*(No class June 24 and July 08, 2025).
Call Todd to register (603) 819-9100
or email Todd: [email protected]
We accept:
* Credit Cards or PAY PAL (3.6% Process fee)
* Venmo: @Todd-Bonita (Process fee 2%)
* Cash (for Teachers Pet)
* Checks. Made out to Todd Bonita and mail to:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave
Greenland, NH 03840
Please write in the memo on the check, "Plein air Painting Critique Club" for my book keeper.
ART SUPPLIES
ART SUPPLY LIST
(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).
(Click here for an illustrated page detailing my Plein air kit).
Portable Easel
French easel, half box 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! 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
Bug spray
If you are uncomfortable standing you may consider a portable folding chair
Wheeled caddy for supplies if necessary
Camera
Umbrella
(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).
(Click here for an illustrated page detailing my Plein air kit).
Portable Easel
French easel, half box 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! 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
Bug spray
If you are uncomfortable standing you may consider a portable folding chair
Wheeled caddy for supplies if necessary
Camera
Umbrella