TUSCANY
ITALY 5 DAY PLEIN AIR PAINTING RETREAT w/ Todd Bonita. May 24 - 30, 2026
TUSCANY PAINTING RETREAT
Spannocchia, Tuscany, Italy.
May 24 -30, 2026 (Sunday - Saturday)
($2,800 Double Occ / shared bath. Add $500 for single w/ private bath) (Limit 14)
* All inclusive accommodations / All meals, wine, ground transportation, day trip excursions to Sienna and San Giminiano included.
Call Todd to Register: (603) 819-9100
or email: [email protected]
Join us for 5 days of outdoor painting, eating, drinking and living in the ancient Tuscan village of Spannocchia. We will gather with our paint boxes on the rolling hillsides of an 1,100 acre sustainable farm and onsite cooking school with an historic Villa and rustic farmhouses. We will enjoy traditional Italian cooking prepared from the working gardens. Paint in the shadows of some of the most celebrated artists, capturing the color and spirit of this romantically alluring location.
There will be a daily demonstration and discussions on composition, design, value and capturing light and atmosphere in your paintings. Beginners, experienced artist and those who have never painted before are welcome to join this supportive and spirited group.
Scroll below for:
Registration
Accommodations / meals
Travel / Passport
Art Supply
Itinerary
FAQ
More.
Spannocchia, Tuscany, Italy.
May 24 -30, 2026 (Sunday - Saturday)
($2,800 Double Occ / shared bath. Add $500 for single w/ private bath) (Limit 14)
* All inclusive accommodations / All meals, wine, ground transportation, day trip excursions to Sienna and San Giminiano included.
Call Todd to Register: (603) 819-9100
or email: [email protected]
Join us for 5 days of outdoor painting, eating, drinking and living in the ancient Tuscan village of Spannocchia. We will gather with our paint boxes on the rolling hillsides of an 1,100 acre sustainable farm and onsite cooking school with an historic Villa and rustic farmhouses. We will enjoy traditional Italian cooking prepared from the working gardens. Paint in the shadows of some of the most celebrated artists, capturing the color and spirit of this romantically alluring location.
There will be a daily demonstration and discussions on composition, design, value and capturing light and atmosphere in your paintings. Beginners, experienced artist and those who have never painted before are welcome to join this supportive and spirited group.
Scroll below for:
Registration
Accommodations / meals
Travel / Passport
Art Supply
Itinerary
FAQ
More.
REGISTER
REGISTRATION:
All inclussive package Includes: 6 Nights accommodations in a 13th century Italian Villa with a castle in an 1,100 acre sustainable farm overlooking the Tuscan hills with on-site cooking school. Ground transport from Florence to Spannoccia Villa and return trip, all ground transport to day trip excursions to Sienna and San Giminiano. All meals and wine..what? Yup, Wine too. I know...Thats what Im saying.
* $2,800 double occupancy w/shared bath.
* Add $500 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:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave
Greenland, NH 03840
Please write, "Italy Retreat" in the memo on the check for my bookkeeper.
All inclussive package Includes: 6 Nights accommodations in a 13th century Italian Villa with a castle in an 1,100 acre sustainable farm overlooking the Tuscan hills with on-site cooking school. Ground transport from Florence to Spannoccia Villa and return trip, all ground transport to day trip excursions to Sienna and San Giminiano. All meals and wine..what? Yup, Wine too. I know...Thats what Im saying.
* $2,800 double occupancy w/shared bath.
* Add $500 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:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave
Greenland, NH 03840
Please write, "Italy Retreat" in the memo on the check for my bookkeeper.
ACCOMODATIONS & MEALS
FLIGHT
Peretola Airport, Florence, Italy
* I am flying into Florence on Friday and will spend two nights there before Marco pick us up in Florence at 3pm and takes us to Spannocchia on Sunday (About an hour and a half away by car). Note that our accommodations at Spannocchia farm are from Sunday - Saturday with a 4pm check-in...Sunday is a travel, arrival - and -rest day. Please plan your travel accordingly. This will be fun, we can relax with a glass of wine Sunday evening and have a meal together.
* My flight with layover is about 8 hours from Boston and cost about $900. 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.
* There is an excellent art supply shop in Florence if you wish to purchase Gamsol, Liquin or any other supplies.
PASSPORT
* Italy is an International flight and will require a passport. Make sure yours is up to date and not expired.
Peretola Airport, Florence, Italy
* I am flying into Florence on Friday and will spend two nights there before Marco pick us up in Florence at 3pm and takes us to Spannocchia on Sunday (About an hour and a half away by car). Note that our accommodations at Spannocchia farm are from Sunday - Saturday with a 4pm check-in...Sunday is a travel, arrival - and -rest day. Please plan your travel accordingly. This will be fun, we can relax with a glass of wine Sunday evening and have a meal together.
* My flight with layover is about 8 hours from Boston and cost about $900. 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.
* There is an excellent art supply shop in Florence if you wish to purchase Gamsol, Liquin or any other supplies.
PASSPORT
* Italy is an International flight and will require a passport. Make sure yours is up to date and not expired.
ART SUPPLY LIST / FLYING 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: Meet up in Florence for 3pm departure to Spannocchia. Marco our driver will take us 1.5 hours to our villa.Spannocchia arrival, check -in 4pm. Wine, introductions, dinner, settle in and relax.
Day 2 (Monday : First day of retreat begins after breakfast on location at the farm. Introduction, composition lecture, demo, field studies all day.
Day 3 (Tuesday : Make our way after breakfast to the town of Sienna (About twenty minutes by car) Marco will take us in a van, drop off and pick up). Boxed lunch provided. We will spend the day painting field studies in Sienna. *There is flexibility in the schedule in the event of rain. If it rains we can paint indoors at the school hoouse in Spannocchia and simply travel to Sienna on a clear day).
Day 4 (Wednesday: On location at the farm, Value lecture, demo, field studies all day.
Day 5 (Thursday : Make our way after breakfast to the town of San Giminiano, known as the Medievil Manhatten, it is one of the most preserved 14th century, Italian hilltop villages in all of Europe. Marco will take us in a van, drop off and pick up). Boxed lunch provided. We will spend the day painting field studies in San Giminiano.
Day 6 Friday: Final day, field studies on the farm and final critique.
Day Saturday: After breakfast, meet with our luggae for Marco to take us back to Florence airport. Leave Spannocchia around 9am and arrive in Florence around 10:30am.
Day 1 (Sunday: Meet up in Florence for 3pm departure to Spannocchia. Marco our driver will take us 1.5 hours to our villa.Spannocchia arrival, check -in 4pm. Wine, introductions, dinner, settle in and relax.
Day 2 (Monday : First day of retreat begins after breakfast on location at the farm. Introduction, composition lecture, demo, field studies all day.
Day 3 (Tuesday : Make our way after breakfast to the town of Sienna (About twenty minutes by car) Marco will take us in a van, drop off and pick up). Boxed lunch provided. We will spend the day painting field studies in Sienna. *There is flexibility in the schedule in the event of rain. If it rains we can paint indoors at the school hoouse in Spannocchia and simply travel to Sienna on a clear day).
Day 4 (Wednesday: On location at the farm, Value lecture, demo, field studies all day.
Day 5 (Thursday : Make our way after breakfast to the town of San Giminiano, known as the Medievil Manhatten, it is one of the most preserved 14th century, Italian hilltop villages in all of Europe. Marco will take us in a van, drop off and pick up). Boxed lunch provided. We will spend the day painting field studies in San Giminiano.
Day 6 Friday: Final day, field studies on the farm and final critique.
Day Saturday: After breakfast, meet with our luggae for Marco to take us back to Florence airport. Leave Spannocchia around 9am and arrive in Florence around 10:30am.
SPANNOCCHIA MEMBERSHIP
SPANNOCCHIA MEMBERSHIP
Membership to Spannocchia is required to stay there. $45 per person $75 per family
Membership to Spannocchia is required to stay there. $45 per person $75 per family
F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
....."Prossimamente".....
....."Prossimamente".....