OIL PAINTING SIMPLIFIED

A painting Series with Todd Bonita

• January 05 - February 23, 2027
• 1pm - 4pm (6 Tuesday Session Workshop)
• (No class January 19 and February 16, 2027)
• $360 (supplies not included, see list below)
• All Skill Levels welcome
• Ages 18+

Discover the rich, luminous possibilities of oil painting in this six-week, hands-on class designed for both beginners and painters with some experience.

You’ll learn how to build an oil painting from the first layers to the final details, exploring color, light, composition, brushwork, layering and glazing along the way. We’ll focus on practical techniques that help you create depth, richness, and luminosity in your paintings.

Each class combines demonstration, instruction, and plenty of time to paint. Whether you’re picking up oil paints for the first time or looking to strengthen your existing skills, you’ll develop a better understanding of how to approach an oil painting with confidence and intention.

Six-week class includes:

• Introduction to materials, tools, and oil-painting techniques
• Understanding color, value, and light
• Building a painting through layers
• Exploring glazing and other techniques for creating depth and luminosity
• Individual guidance and feedback throughout the painting process

Come ready to experiment, learn, and enjoy the process of painting with oils.

“Our objective will be to learn to see the world the way an artist sees. Instead of seeing objects and things, Ill show you how to see abstract puzzle shapes of light, dark and midtone color. In order to paint what you see, you must learn how to see first” - Todd Bonita

About Todd:

Todd Bonita (b. 1968)

Todd Bonita is a New England oil painter whose lifelong connection to the coast began growing up in Winthrop, Massachusetts. After graduating from the Art Institute of Boston, he continued his study of classical painting and drawing at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia.

Following a twelve-year career as an illustrator, Todd turned his full attention to fine art painting in 2006. He now paints coastal New England subjects both en plein air and in the studio, with a particular love for the process and simple joy of painting.

Todd’s work is represented by galleries throughout New England, Florida, Michigan, Canada, and the UK, and is held in hundreds of private and corporate collections worldwide. His work has been exhibited in four art museums and is part of the collection of President George H. W. Bush.

Todd owns and operates galleries in Ogunquit, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and is the owner of the Ogunquit Art Colony School, where he teaches painting classes and international workshops year-round.

Supply List

*Please feel free to bring whatever supplies you use to make oil paintings, however, here below are the supplies I use and recommend. Alternatively, you can rent art supplies for the class (includes everything below, except paint brushes).

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. You may also bring a standing easel if you wish to stand.

Palette

I recommend a wood palette.

Paint

*(I recommend a minimal palette of a warm and cool version of the three primaries plus white (a few extras is fine)....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 Winsor & Newton, Gamblin and Utrecht but there are many good options.)

Titanium White (I like quick dry and use Griffin Alkyd Titanium White).

Cad Yellow medium

Yellow ochre

Alizeran Crimson Permanent

Cadmium Red Medium

Ultramarine Blue

Cerulean Blue

Sap Green

Raw umber

Ivory Black

Burnt Sienna (Optional)

Painting surface.

Canvas, gessoed wood panels, oil primed panels, canvas or linen mounted to panels are all fine.

I use oil primed wood panels...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

****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

*A Veiwfinder: Important! Whether homemade or store bought, it must be adjustable or proportionate to your canvases. Viewcatcher is ideal.

*Artist paint box for supplies

**(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.

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

Or call: (603) 819-9100

www.ToddBonita.com

Event venue & nearby stays

Maine Center for Sacred Arts at Portland New Church, 302 Stevens Avenue, Portland, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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