PLEIN AIR FOR SCAREDY CATS
(Outdoor painting for beginners) Portsmouth, NH
June 01 - July 27, 2026
"Vermont Road" (8x10") Plein air oil by Todd Bonita
PLEIN AIR for SCAREDY CATS
(Outdoor painting for beginners)
Greenland Congregational church. (Paris House)
44 Post Rd. Greenland, NH
June 01, 15, 29, July 13, 20, 27, 2026
(6 Mondays) 9 -12. (Limit 12) $275
*New Hampshire Art Association members 20% 0ff = $220
* (Drop in $50 if space available). (NHAA MEMBERS: $40)
K.I.S.S. (keep it simple sweetheart). In this Plein air workshop designed for beginners, we will take it slow and steady with a goal to simplify the outdoor painting process. The first three classes will be held indoors and cover tools and materials, seeing like an artist and a step-by-step guide to replicating nature on canvas. Using exercises in design, drawing, value, color and atmosphere, students will be
equipped with the tools to make expressive outdoor paintings. We will make our way outdoors for the remaining classes and discuss scene selection, what to look for to improve your compositions, freezing light effects and dealing with the elements of the outdoors.
REGISTER:
Email Todd: [email protected]
Call: (603) 819-9100
(Outdoor painting for beginners)
Greenland Congregational church. (Paris House)
44 Post Rd. Greenland, NH
June 01, 15, 29, July 13, 20, 27, 2026
(6 Mondays) 9 -12. (Limit 12) $275
*New Hampshire Art Association members 20% 0ff = $220
* (Drop in $50 if space available). (NHAA MEMBERS: $40)
K.I.S.S. (keep it simple sweetheart). In this Plein air workshop designed for beginners, we will take it slow and steady with a goal to simplify the outdoor painting process. The first three classes will be held indoors and cover tools and materials, seeing like an artist and a step-by-step guide to replicating nature on canvas. Using exercises in design, drawing, value, color and atmosphere, students will be
equipped with the tools to make expressive outdoor paintings. We will make our way outdoors for the remaining classes and discuss scene selection, what to look for to improve your compositions, freezing light effects and dealing with the elements of the outdoors.
REGISTER:
Email Todd: [email protected]
Call: (603) 819-9100
Supply List
ART SUPPLY LIST:
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).
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 Winsor & Newton Griffin * Alkyd Titanium White)
* Cad Yellow
* Yellow ochre
* Alizeran Crimson
* Cadmium Red
* Ultramarine Blue
* Cobalt Blue or Cerulean Blue
* Sap Green
* Raw Umber
* Ivory black (*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)...
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
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).
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 Winsor & Newton Griffin * Alkyd Titanium White)
* Cad Yellow
* Yellow ochre
* Alizeran Crimson
* Cadmium Red
* Ultramarine Blue
* Cobalt Blue or Cerulean Blue
* Sap Green
* Raw Umber
* Ivory black (*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)...
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
Todd Bonita Plein air Paintings
