3 Day PORT CLYDE RETREAT
Port Clyde, Maine. August 17 - 19, 2026
3 Day PORT CLYDE PAINTING RETREAT
August 17 - 19, 2026 (Monday - Wednesday)
($450) retreat only with Todd Bonita.
(Limit 10)
REGISTER:
CALL TODD: (603) 819-9100
EMAIL: [email protected]
Join us for a captivating three-day plein air painting retreat in the picturesque Port Clyde, Maine, nestled in the heart of what’s known as Wyeth country. This region is steeped in artistic heritage, intimately connected to the legendary Wyeth family and their iconic works.
Throughout the retreat, you'll have the unique opportunity to paint in the very locations that inspired Andrew Wyeth, including the renowned Christina Olson House, where he created his masterpiece, "Christina's World." Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of this historic site, drawing inspiration from its compelling story and stunning landscapes.
We'll also capture the charm of Marshall Point Light, a site made famous by the movie "Forrest Gump," along with the quaint fishing villages that dot the coastline. We will paint vibrant sea shacks, weather-worn shanties, bustling boats, and the timeless lobster traps lining the piers where fishermen have worked since the 1600s.
Whether you're an experienced painter or just starting out, this retreat promises an enriching experience filled with creativity, camaraderie, and the breathtaking beauty of Maine's coast. Join us for a get away of artistic exploration and connection to a legacy that has shaped American art.
REGISTER:
CALL TODD: (603) 819-9100
EMAIL: [email protected]
* Checks made out to Todd Bonita. Mail to my house: 28 Mcshane Ave. Greenland, NH 03840. "Write, "PORT CLYDE" in the memo.
* CC, PAY PAL and Venmo is ok too. My Venmo handle is: @Todd-Bonita (Last four digist of my phone = 9100
* Cash for teachers pet!! :)
CHECKLIST (Scroll below to review detailed list of the following)
* Accommodations
* Art Supply list
* Itinerary
* F.A.Q.
* Todd Bonita
August 17 - 19, 2026 (Monday - Wednesday)
($450) retreat only with Todd Bonita.
(Limit 10)
REGISTER:
CALL TODD: (603) 819-9100
EMAIL: [email protected]
Join us for a captivating three-day plein air painting retreat in the picturesque Port Clyde, Maine, nestled in the heart of what’s known as Wyeth country. This region is steeped in artistic heritage, intimately connected to the legendary Wyeth family and their iconic works.
Throughout the retreat, you'll have the unique opportunity to paint in the very locations that inspired Andrew Wyeth, including the renowned Christina Olson House, where he created his masterpiece, "Christina's World." Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of this historic site, drawing inspiration from its compelling story and stunning landscapes.
We'll also capture the charm of Marshall Point Light, a site made famous by the movie "Forrest Gump," along with the quaint fishing villages that dot the coastline. We will paint vibrant sea shacks, weather-worn shanties, bustling boats, and the timeless lobster traps lining the piers where fishermen have worked since the 1600s.
Whether you're an experienced painter or just starting out, this retreat promises an enriching experience filled with creativity, camaraderie, and the breathtaking beauty of Maine's coast. Join us for a get away of artistic exploration and connection to a legacy that has shaped American art.
REGISTER:
CALL TODD: (603) 819-9100
EMAIL: [email protected]
* Checks made out to Todd Bonita. Mail to my house: 28 Mcshane Ave. Greenland, NH 03840. "Write, "PORT CLYDE" in the memo.
* CC, PAY PAL and Venmo is ok too. My Venmo handle is: @Todd-Bonita (Last four digist of my phone = 9100
* Cash for teachers pet!! :)
CHECKLIST (Scroll below to review detailed list of the following)
* Accommodations
* Art Supply list
* Itinerary
* F.A.Q.
* Todd Bonita
ACCOMMODATIONS
ACCOMMODATIONS
You are responsible for your own accommodations but I recommend you join me at the same Inn. Ill be staying at the: Seaside Inn in Port Clyde. 207-372-0700
[email protected]
5 Cold Storage Road Port Clyde, ME 04855
1850 sea captain's home overlooking Port Clyde Harbor and Muscongus Bay. 12 room inn, 7 rooms with private baths and 5 rooms with shared baths Free WiFi and parking, connected to the Barn Café, waterfront dining across the street Located in the heart of Port Clyde Village
* You may also like nearby….
THE OCEAN HOUSE HOTEL Around the corner from the Seasode Inn, The Ocean house is an 1820’s seven room hotel.
Contact: 207-372-6691
[email protected]
870 Port Clyde Road Port Clyde
THE LONE COTTAGE. A one bedroom cottage located in nearby St.George.
ART SUPPLY LIST
"SEA SHACK, MONHEGAN ISLAND, ME". Plein air by Todd Bonita
ART SUPPLY LIST
* I am happy to share a list of the tools and materials I use to make painting below. Please understand that these are the supplies that work me, so please feel free to use whatever tools and materials you are comfortable with for making outdoor or studio paintings. Here is what I recommend for a simple set up;
(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 Jerrys Artarama, Dick Blick, Cheap Joes or Utrecht).
Portable Easel
French easel, half box easel or 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 like the UGO Plein air 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
*(SPLIT PRIMARY PALETTE. I recommend a minimal palette of a warm and cool version of the three primaries (Yellow, Red & Blue) plus white (with maybe a few optional 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 Alkyds by Winsor & Newton)
Titanium White
Cad Yellow Medium
Yellow ochre
Alizeran Crimson permanant
Cadmium Red medium
Ultramarine Blue
Cerulean Blue
Sap green (*Optional)
Ivory black (*Optional)
raw 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)...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*** You can order from the art supply store a and delivered to your hotel.
Gamsol ***You cannot travel w/ Gamsol or Solvents*** I will provide Gamsol when you get there on the island.
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
* I am happy to share a list of the tools and materials I use to make painting below. Please understand that these are the supplies that work me, so please feel free to use whatever tools and materials you are comfortable with for making outdoor or studio paintings. Here is what I recommend for a simple set up;
(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 Jerrys Artarama, Dick Blick, Cheap Joes or Utrecht).
Portable Easel
French easel, half box easel or 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 like the UGO Plein air 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
*(SPLIT PRIMARY PALETTE. I recommend a minimal palette of a warm and cool version of the three primaries (Yellow, Red & Blue) plus white (with maybe a few optional 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 Alkyds by Winsor & Newton)
Titanium White
Cad Yellow Medium
Yellow ochre
Alizeran Crimson permanant
Cadmium Red medium
Ultramarine Blue
Cerulean Blue
Sap green (*Optional)
Ivory black (*Optional)
raw 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)...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*** You can order from the art supply store a and delivered to your hotel.
Gamsol ***You cannot travel w/ Gamsol or Solvents*** I will provide Gamsol when you get there on the island.
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
ITINERARY
Oil by Todd Bonita
Todds Cell phone: (603) 819-9100
DAY 1:
9am (Later is fine too...) Meet up at the Seaside Inn, Port Clyde. If you are traveling, please know that I'll be painting on location in the vacinity of the Seaside Inn all day waiting for you to join me in paint at your arrival convenience. There is an excellent fishermans cove directly behind the Inn. Its the Fishermans Co-op. I'll likely do a painting there in the morning, followed by relaxing on an adirondack chair at the Seaside Inn in the afternnon, prepping for another painting session when the sun starts to set around 4:30 - 5pm. Please join me. This is limited to a small number of painters so we will have a text thread to communicate on day 1. You can call or text me, I'll be very easy to find. There is a pub at the Inn called the Red Barn Gallery, cant miss it. we can maat for a drink after a day of painting there as well as many excellent restaurants nearby where we can dine and talk art together. This will be great fun.
DAY 2:
(9am meet at the Seaside Inn ready to roll, or, if you prefer, you can meet on site at our painting location. We will make our way about 15 minutes to the Olson house, 384 Hathorne Point Rd in Cushing, Maine. This is the iconic colonial farmhouse where Andrew Wyeth painted Christina Olson for his most famous work, Christinas World. It is also the resting place for Andrew and Betsy Wyeth. A beautiful paintng location and excellent place to pay respectful homage to an artist who has touched so many. After a mornign painting on site and visiting the Olson house (Now a museum run by the Farnsworth Museum art). The afternoon is ours to relax, take coastal photos and explore or even do another painting. An evening painting session will take place after dinner, at the nearby Marshall Point Lighthouse.
DAY 3:
Today we will paint at the nearby Drift Inn beach for our morning session, an excellent location featuring coastal Maine rocks, water, tall pines and remote islands out to sea. Our afternoon session will be near Port Clydes working waterfront by the Inn.
DAY 1:
9am (Later is fine too...) Meet up at the Seaside Inn, Port Clyde. If you are traveling, please know that I'll be painting on location in the vacinity of the Seaside Inn all day waiting for you to join me in paint at your arrival convenience. There is an excellent fishermans cove directly behind the Inn. Its the Fishermans Co-op. I'll likely do a painting there in the morning, followed by relaxing on an adirondack chair at the Seaside Inn in the afternnon, prepping for another painting session when the sun starts to set around 4:30 - 5pm. Please join me. This is limited to a small number of painters so we will have a text thread to communicate on day 1. You can call or text me, I'll be very easy to find. There is a pub at the Inn called the Red Barn Gallery, cant miss it. we can maat for a drink after a day of painting there as well as many excellent restaurants nearby where we can dine and talk art together. This will be great fun.
DAY 2:
(9am meet at the Seaside Inn ready to roll, or, if you prefer, you can meet on site at our painting location. We will make our way about 15 minutes to the Olson house, 384 Hathorne Point Rd in Cushing, Maine. This is the iconic colonial farmhouse where Andrew Wyeth painted Christina Olson for his most famous work, Christinas World. It is also the resting place for Andrew and Betsy Wyeth. A beautiful paintng location and excellent place to pay respectful homage to an artist who has touched so many. After a mornign painting on site and visiting the Olson house (Now a museum run by the Farnsworth Museum art). The afternoon is ours to relax, take coastal photos and explore or even do another painting. An evening painting session will take place after dinner, at the nearby Marshall Point Lighthouse.
DAY 3:
Today we will paint at the nearby Drift Inn beach for our morning session, an excellent location featuring coastal Maine rocks, water, tall pines and remote islands out to sea. Our afternoon session will be near Port Clydes working waterfront by the Inn.
Todd Bonita
TODD BONITA (b. 1968)
I fell in love with the ocean while growing up in Winthrop, Massachusetts, a small New England harbor town outside of Boston. After graduating from the Art Institute of Boston, I continued study of classical painting and drawing at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. A twelve year career as an illustrator followed until I focused full time on fine art oil painting in 2006, creating oil paintings for art galleries and collectors. I currently maintain a studio space at The Button Factory artist studios in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I love painting coastal New England imagery outdoors in plein air, equally as much as crafting more involved compositions in my studio. Above all, I love the process and simple joy of being with my tools and painting. My work is currently represented by ten art galleries around New England, Florida and the UK. and is in hundreds of corporate and private collections world wide, including 41st U.S. President, George H. W. Bush. I have had the good fortune to have exhibited in four Art museums and I am blessed to call this craft that I love my full-time occupation. I currently own and operate the Todd Bonita Art Gallery in both Ogunquit, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I am also owner of the Ogunquit Art Colony School, where I teach painting classes and International art workshops year round. I live on the New Hampshire seacoast with my son Max and daughter Kate.
Life is good.
I fell in love with the ocean while growing up in Winthrop, Massachusetts, a small New England harbor town outside of Boston. After graduating from the Art Institute of Boston, I continued study of classical painting and drawing at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. A twelve year career as an illustrator followed until I focused full time on fine art oil painting in 2006, creating oil paintings for art galleries and collectors. I currently maintain a studio space at The Button Factory artist studios in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I love painting coastal New England imagery outdoors in plein air, equally as much as crafting more involved compositions in my studio. Above all, I love the process and simple joy of being with my tools and painting. My work is currently represented by ten art galleries around New England, Florida and the UK. and is in hundreds of corporate and private collections world wide, including 41st U.S. President, George H. W. Bush. I have had the good fortune to have exhibited in four Art museums and I am blessed to call this craft that I love my full-time occupation. I currently own and operate the Todd Bonita Art Gallery in both Ogunquit, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I am also owner of the Ogunquit Art Colony School, where I teach painting classes and International art workshops year round. I live on the New Hampshire seacoast with my son Max and daughter Kate.
Life is good.
F. A. Q .
( Frequently Asked Questions )
What do we do if it rains? You know damn well what we do. We sing Sea Shanties about Painting Pirates slicing the air with their paint brushes and palette knives. Folllowed by retreating to an excellent covered area where we can have hot tea and get out of the rain while still overlooking a spectacular motif. We also have an excellent indoor location as an option for exercises or just an indoor paint session overlooking the harbor.
Can I bring a non-painting guest? Darn tootin you can! There is lots to do around here. Check out Port Clyde Kayaks or a day trip to Monhegan Island or just tag along with us. Im happy to provide suggestions.
Can you provide Dining suggestions? Yes, we usually meet and dine as a group, you will most definitely be invited. If you are tired or just want some you time, thats fine but its always nice to be invited to the party even if you cant go.
* The Ocean House Hotel: (Closed Mondays but open for breakfast the rest of the week.
* Tenants Harbor General store: Excellent breakfast sanwiches, coffee and muffins. Just a few miles up the road. Great for, "Lets meet at the General Store, grab a samich n Coffee and hity the road". This is an excellent Monday option as a lot of Breakfast places are closed. You can also get lunch sandwiches to go.
* The Happy Clam: Great for Dinner and / or a drink. Really nice wait staff and good food.
Can I bring a non-painting guest? Darn tootin you can! There is lots to do around here. Check out Port Clyde Kayaks or a day trip to Monhegan Island or just tag along with us. Im happy to provide suggestions.
Can you provide Dining suggestions? Yes, we usually meet and dine as a group, you will most definitely be invited. If you are tired or just want some you time, thats fine but its always nice to be invited to the party even if you cant go.
* The Ocean House Hotel: (Closed Mondays but open for breakfast the rest of the week.
* Tenants Harbor General store: Excellent breakfast sanwiches, coffee and muffins. Just a few miles up the road. Great for, "Lets meet at the General Store, grab a samich n Coffee and hity the road". This is an excellent Monday option as a lot of Breakfast places are closed. You can also get lunch sandwiches to go.
* The Happy Clam: Great for Dinner and / or a drink. Really nice wait staff and good food.