DALE L POPOVICH IWS
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Emotional Impact: See How Flipping Your Photo Affects Your Watercolor Landscape's Mood

3/19/2025

1 Comment

 
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A painter must not merely see but perceive, for a watercolor landscape holds more than what first meets the eye. Every composition contains a hidden force—a direction, a mood, a story. And sometimes, by simply flipping a photo for watercolor, you unlock a new dimension of feeling within your painting. Let us consider the value of this small but mighty tool, one that allows the artist to shape the emotional impact in painting a scene with greater intent.
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You are invited into my studio  located in the Great Northwoods of Wisconsin via Facebook Live monthly for a FREE demo. I hope to see you Wednesday night for another FREE demo at 6:30 pm CST. This month I will discuss flipping your photo. If you can't make it live checkout the replay. Here's the link buttton to the reference toolkit. and video. 
GRAB YOUR VIDEO LINK & REF PACK
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Direction as a Key to Mood
The structure of a watercolor landscape—its lines, shapes, and movement—guides the viewer’s emotions. When elements such as rivers, trees, and pathways flow from left to right, they naturally echo the way we read and progress through life. Conversely, when they lean right to left, they can introduce a sense of reflection, nostalgia, or even resistance. The act of flipping a photo for watercolor allows the artist to manipulate these emotional undercurrents, determining whether the piece speaks of journeying forward or looking back—an essential tip among watercolor composition tips.

The Psychology of Movement in a Landscape
Western traditions condition us to view left-to-right movement as progress and optimism. Right-to-left movement, by contrast, can introduce a pensive, even wistful quality. Imagine a path winding to the right—its gentle curve invites the viewer to step into the watercolor landscape, to move forward with ease. Now flip it, and the same path becomes a retreat, an inward reflection. This subtle shift carries weight, influencing the emotional impact in painting and how the viewer connects with the scene on a deeper level.

The Role of Light and Shadow
Light, in its grand orchestration, dictates mood as much as composition does. Consider a watercolor landscape where morning light pours in from the left—this suggests the start of something, the crispness of a new day. Flip it, and that same light now signals evening, the close of a chapter, the fading of energy. A painting’s emotion is deeply tied to these subtle shifts in lighting direction. In watercolor, where luminosity is achieved through restraint and transparency, even the faintest adjustment in light alters the atmosphere—a key insight for how to improve watercolor mood.

How Flipping Your Photo for Watercolor Painting
Strengthens Your Composition

For the artist, flipping a photo for watercolor is not merely a new viewpoint—it is an invaluable tool for refining structure. Turning a photo on its head, so to speak, grants you a fresh vantage point on watercolor composition tips. It lays bare the bones of the picture—how shapes are weighted, how lines flow, how colors distribute themselves across the design. What felt settled may suddenly seem off-kilter, and what was uncertain may now feel resolved.

More than that, flipping an image shakes loose our attachment to it. When we stare too long at a piece, we risk growing blind to its shortcomings. The eye grows too accustomed, too forgiving. But reverse it, and it becomes unfamiliar again—anew to scrutiny, open to honest critique. It is in this seeing with fresh eyes that an artist can judge with clarity and correct with confidence. By reversing an image, weaknesses in balance, harmony, or movement become more evident—a technique especially helpful for beginner watercolor techniques. The painter may find that an initially strong composition falters when flipped, revealing areas in need of adjustment. This practice fosters clarity, ensuring the emotional impact in painting is fully realized.

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  • Practical Application: Steps for the Artist
  • ​Select and Flip Your Reference: Begin with a chosen watercolor landscape photograph. Use a mirror, a digital tool like your phone or computer, or even sketch the flipped version by hand—an accessible step for beginner watercolor techniques.

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  • Compare Emotional Impact in Painting: Examine both versions. Does one feel more inviting, the other more somber? Identify which serves your artistic intent and enhances how to improve watercolor mood.

  • Sketch Both Versions​: Thumbnail studies will quickly reveal which composition better aligns with your vision—a practical tip from watercolor composition tips..
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  • Adapt Your Approach: If flipping alters the direction of light, adjust values and edges accordingly to maintain coherence.
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  • Paint with Purpose: Let the chosen composition guide your brushwork—soft passages for a reflective mood, bold contrasts for dynamism—key to mastering how to improve watercolor mood.

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:Examples of Flipping Photo for Watercolor Painting in Practice
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Waterfalls: as it tumbles in the original photograph, snakes its way from left to right—a restless, silvery thread that whispers of adventure. It pulls the eye along its course, a call to wander, to chase the unknown around the next bend, alive with the rush of discovery. But flip it, and the tale transforms! Now, in your watercolor landscape, it flows right to left, a quiet homeward drift, as if the water itself has wearied of its roaming and seeks the solace of the familiar. The cascade becomes a solitary return, its voice softened, its movement a sigh rather than a shout. In this mirrored dance, the painter’s hand finds truth: one way stirs the soul to venture, the other bids it rest. That’s the power of direction—simple, yet it carves the heart of the picture.
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​The Farmhouse: as it stands in the original photograph, reveals a subtle tussle of forces. That cluster of saplings on the right—brash little sentinels—digs in its heels and halts the eye, a stubborn barricade against the natural drift beyond the picture’s edge. It’s a jolt, a stop-sign, and the rhythm stumbles there. But flip the scene, and oh, what a shift! Now those trees, gathered on the left, become gentle ushers, their lines swaying like a quiet breeze, guiding the eye with a tender insistence toward the heart of the matter—the house itself. The farmhouse sits there, steady and unassuming, an anchor that hushes the chatter of the composition. It’s no longer a mere building; it’s the soul of the silence, drawing you in, settling the restless wander of the gaze. That’s the secret, you see—movement must serve stillness, or the picture loses its poetry.

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The Woodland Path: In the original photo it greets us with light sifting through from the left—a soft, radiant whisper of dawn’s tender vow. It spills across the scene like a quiet awakening, stirring the leaves and beckoning the spirit forward with the freshness of morning’s hope. But turn it about, flip the canvas, and behold how the mood shifts! Now the light pours from the right, bathing the path in the mellow glow of an afternoon’s embrace—a warmth that settles rather than stirs, a gentle pull toward contemplation. It’s the same woodland, the same threading trail, yet this simple reversal bends the emotion, as if the sun itself has walked the day’s arc. In painting, such a tweak is no mere trick; it’s the hand of feeling, shaping the story the eye longs to linger upon.
Citations for Further Reading
​A painter must be more than a mere recorder of facts—he must understand the very essence of his subject. The watercolor landscape, like the human spirit, holds depths of emotion and  movement that are often unseen but deeply felt. To aid in this pursuit, the following readings may provide valuable insight into the relationship between composition, perception, and the expressive power of art -- CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW:
Art and Emotion - Wikipedia 
A foundational look at the connection between artistic expression and human sentiment, examining how visual elements stir the soul.
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True Stories of Trauma and Madness - Scientific American 
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- Scientific American
An exploration of why artists arrange subjects to evoke psychological responses. An investigation into why certain compositions resonate more deeply.Differences Between Our Left and Right Brains Explain Many Phenomena, Including Patterns in Museum Painting.
Always Flip Your Art
​- Mlecznymlecz
Imagine this: your creating an artwork. You’re super happy with it because everything goes smooth. However, as you progress in the process, you notice something’s not quite right. Yet, you can’t figure out what’s wrong with the image. Sounds familiar? The answer is simple: always filp your art!
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Fantastic Photography Relies More on Left and Right
​-Fstoppers
A study on how visual weight and directional flow guide the viewer’s eye—principles that apply to painting as well.
An artist who understands these principles wields greater control over his work, shaping not just what the eye sees, but what the heart feels.
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Final Thoughts
​To paint a watercolor landscape is not merely to replicate nature but to interpret it—to distill its essence into a language of form, light, and tone. By flipping a photo for watercolor, the painter does more than rearrange shapes; they control the undercurrents of emotion and movement within their work—a cornerstone of watercolor composition tips. This simple yet profound adjustment, accessible even in beginner watercolor techniques, allows an artist to move beyond imitation and into the realm of expression.

Thus, the next time you prepare to paint, take a moment to reverse your reference. Let the altered perspective guide your choices, and in doing so, strengthen your ability to shape the watercolor landscape’s silent, stirring voice and master how to improve watercolor mood. The scene before you is not just earth, sky, and water—it is a narrative, and you, as the artist, are its teller.

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Thank You Annapolis Watercolor Club

2/19/2025

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Transform Your Art with "Painting the Magic of Flowing Water" - a 2-Day Zoom Workshop Experience

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I recently had the privilege of leading the Annapolis Watercolor Club through an unforgettable two-day Zoom workshop titled "Painting the Magic of Flowing Water, Ripples & Cascades." It was a joy to connect with such a passionate group of artists, and I’m writing this both as a heartfelt thank-you and as an invitation for other art leagues to bring this transformative experience to their members.

Before the workshop, I provided each participant with a custom 24-page PDF workbook designed exclusively for this group. Packed with color charts, reference photos, detailed descriptions, pencil drawings on watercolor paper, value studies, supply lists, QoR paint colors, and more, this resource ensured everyone was fully prepared. I recommended printing the PDF in landscape format and storing it in a three-hole binder alongside their notes, with sketches pre-drawn on watercolor paper to streamline our time together. This preparation set the stage for a focused, productive, and inspiring two days.

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What You’ll Learn in Every Dale L. Popovich Workshop, Demo, or Class
His approach is rooted in timeless techniques that empower artists to grow confidently. Participants discover how to:
  • Block in a painting effectively, working from large areas to small details.
  • Paint from background to foreground, building depth and structure.
  • Master values, moving from light to dark, and transition from intense colors to subtle, greyed-down hues.
  • Create soft edges, plan backgrounds, and shift colors seamlessly in a wash.
  • Capture textures, understand timing in watercolor application, and embrace patience by letting paints blend magically on the paper—not overmixing on the palette.
  • Apply bold, sweeping strokes and use tools like brushes, toothbrushes, natural sponges, or paper towels to add and lift color.
  • Paint abstract patterns in nature, work wet-into-wet and wet-into-dry, and use color subtlety to elevate their compositions.​

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©Dale L Popovich AWC Workshop Demo
A Journey Through Color and Technique
We began with a disciplined exploration of Anders Zorn’s limited palette, proving that simplicity can yield extraordinary results. Starting with just three colors for the first painting, we focused on essentials like value, temperature, and intensity. Through cross-mixing, participants witnessed the harmony that emerges from restraint. We then expanded to four colors for the second painting and five for the third, showing how each new hue shifts balance and mood, breathing life into their work.
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©Dale L Popovich AWC Workshop Demo
Each day featured live demonstrations and paint-along sessions, where I guided artists step-by-step. They watched as I demonstrated techniques, mixed colors, and created landscapes—like a serene lake on Day 1 morning or the dynamic "Yondota Falls" in the afternoon. Using only three colors, we broke the process into phases: blocking in, adding secondary details, and finishing with final touches. Throughout, we discussed soft edges, water reflections, textures, and negative painting, ensuring a deep, hands-on understanding.
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©Dale L Popovich AWC Workshop Demo
On Day 2, we tackled "Symphony of Splashes" (a waterfall) with four colors and "Slow Moving Water With Forest" with five, exploring how to simplify complex subjects, paint light and dark patterns, suggest distance and scale, and capture the essence of water’s flow. Participants left with a dynamic grasp of color range, the beauty of letting paints blend naturally, and techniques for handling reflections, rapids, and forest backgrounds in an abstract yet evocative way.
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©Dale L Popovich AWC Workshop Demo
Why This Workshop Stands Out
What made this experience special was its interactivity. I encouraged questions during demos, welcomed photo-taking, and reviewed participants’ work in real time, offering personalized feedback. After the workshop, everyone received an email addendum with finished paintings to add to their workbooks—a tangible reminder of their progress.

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My goal? To teach you to truly see
By focusing on the interplay of light and dark, the subtleties of color, and the methodical building of a painting, participants not only honed their skills but also gained a newfound appreciation for watercolor’s magic.


Why Hire Me for Your Art League?
If your group is seeking an engaging, educational, and inspiring workshop, look no further. This isn’t just about painting—it’s about unlocking the magic of watercolor through art. With tailored materials, live demonstrations, and interactive sessions, I make watercolor accessible and exciting for all levels. Whether your artists are beginners or seasoned pros, they’ll walk away with new techniques, confidence, and stunning pieces that capture nature’s beauty.

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BUILDING A NEW DEPTH: MASTERING THE FUSION OF GOUACHE OR PASTEL WITH WATERCOLORS

11/22/2024

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SEPT 29-Oct 4, 2025
(Four Teaching Days)
Returning for the 7th year in 2024 • www.dalepopovich.com
Description
Are you ready to elevate your watercolor skills and capture the true spirit of the Great Northwoods? Join Dale L. Popovich for a transformative 4-day workshop that will deepen your understanding of transparent watercolors. Through a methodical, step-by-step approach, Dale will guide you in recreating the essence of northern Wisconsin’s everchanging landscapes on watercolor paper. Whether you’re painting the vibrant colors of fall
or the quiet stillness of winter, you’ll gain the confidence and technique needed to create stunning works of art. This is your opportunity to push your watercolor skills to new heights and become the artist you’ve always aspired to be. Sign up now and let your creativity flourish!

Furthermore, Dale will demonstrate how to seamlessly integrate pastel or gouache into your watercolors, elevating them to new heights of expression and depth. This approach brings a fresh, compelling voice to your work, adding richness and vitality to every brushstroke.
Before the Workshop
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​Before the workshop, Dale will send you a specially crafted PDF workbook to set you up for success. He recommends printing it out and placing it in a ring binder, with some of his students even using protective sleeves to keep everything in pristine condition. If you prefer digital, you can easily upload it to your tablet for quick access during the workshop.
This workbook includes:
• Reference Photos for each demonstration, giving you a clear visual guide to follow.
​• Pencil Sketches to recreate before the workshop, so you're ready to dive right in.
• Value Photos to help you understand light and dark in your compositions.
• Color Lists for each painting, ensuring you have the right palette at your fingertips.
• Supply List so you’re fully prepared with everything you need.
• Subject Descriptions that break down what you’ll be painting and why it matters.
• Techniques for Each Demo to give you step-by-step guidance.
• What You’ll Walk Away With—a clear understanding of what you’ll achieve by the end
of the workshop.
SEPT 29-Oct 4, 2025 Dillman’s fall 2025 2 of 3
• A Note-Taking Page in each section to capture key ideas and insights.
• Recommended Reading to further your learning.
Additionally, Dale will personally call you before the workshop to address any questions
you may have, ensuring you’re fully prepared and ready to make the most of the experience.
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The Workshop
Teaching through a paint-along method allows the student to follow each step as it unfolds, observing the brushwork and techniques in real time. It offers a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and recreate what has just been demonstrated—a powerful way to internalize the process.

​Dale encourages his students to ask questions freely as he paints, understanding that curiosity is the foundation of growth. He believes that every inquiry, no matter how small, deepens the connection between artist and craft.

And don’t forget to bring your camera. Capturing key moments along the way provides a valuable reference as you build your understanding. For Dale, the act of teaching is as much about sharing his insights as it is about fostering a spirit of exploration. In his view, knowledge shared generously leads to mastery—and that is the essence of excellent
learning.

Dale Will Show You:
• The Symphony of Seasons

Each season has its own voice, expressed through unique colors and temperatures.
- Spring: The tender greens of awakening earth and cool breezes.
- Summer: The heat-soaked vibrancy of midday light and shadow.
- Autumn: The richness of ochres, russets, and fading greens.
- Winter: The cool austerity of snow, softened by diffused light.
Understanding these nuances will guide us in painting the year’s cycle with truth
and feeling.
• The Atmospheric Perspective of Winter: Offers lessons in subtlety.
- Learn how light behaves differently in the cold season.
- Observe the softened edges of snow-laden trees and hills.
- Explore the interplay of warm and cool tones in a muted winter palette.
• Planes and Their Values: Nature reveals itself in planes, and mastery of their values brings depth and realism to your work.
- Sky: The lightest and most luminous of the planes.
- Slanted Planes (Mountains): Transitioning from illuminated to shadowed, they give structure to the landscape.
- Vertical Planes (Trees): Strong and upright, they balance the composition.
SEPT 29-Oct 4, 2025 Dillman’s fall 2025 3 of 3
- Horizontal Planes (Ground): Anchoring the scene with the weight of shadow and light.
​
• Building Depth with Gouache and Pastel: Discover how gouache or pastel, when applied with balance, enriches watercolor.
- Techniques to enhance the interplay of light, texture, and detail will be
demonstrated.
- Samples will reveal how these mediums can integrate seamlessly into your work, creating depth without overpowering the transparency of watercolor.

With an eye on nature’s truths and a brush ready to translate its beauty, let us explore these principles, seeking to refine not just our technique but our understanding of the landscape’s poetry. Please join me this fall at Dillman’s.
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715-588-3143 
[email protected]
Physical Address
13277 Dillman's Way
Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538

Mailing Address
PO Box 98
Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538
MORE INFO AT DILLMAN'S
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DILLMAN'S 2025 SPRING WORKSHOP:Ā  RIVERS, RAPIDS & WATERFALLS IN WATERCOLOR

11/22/2024

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Jun 1 - Jun 6, 2025
(Four Teaching Days)
Returning for the 7th year in 2024 • www.dalepopovich.com
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Description
There is a quiet beauty in nature that speaks directly to the soul, and it takes a discerning eye and a practiced hand to translate that essence into art. In this 4-day workshop, Dale L. Popovich will guide you through the process of capturing the serene waterways and timeless landscapes of northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with the clarity and luminosity that only transparent watercolor can achieve.

Dale’s approach is rooted in careful observation and a deep respect for the natural world. His step-by-step instruction will give you the tools to see beyond the surface—to understand the interplay of light, shadow, and atmosphere that brings a scene to life. 

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Whether you’re a seasoned artist or have only painted for a short while, this is more than just a lesson in technique—it’s your opportunity to awaken your creative spirit and elevate your skills to new heights. Deepening your understanding of the land and its forms, sharpening your artistic voice, and embracing the quiet poetry of nature on your canvas. This is the perfect opportunity to focus on your creativity, learn from a master, and maybe even make a few new friends. If you’re ready to walk this path, join us. The landscapes await.

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Before the Workshop
Before the workshop, Dale will send you a specially crafted PDF workbook to set you up for success. He recommends printing it out and placing it in a ring binder, with some of his students even using protective sleeves to keep everything in pristine condition. If you prefer digital, you can easily upload it to your tablet for quick access during the workshop.

​This workbook includes:
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  • Reference Photos for each demonstration, giving you a clear visual guide to follow.
  • Pencil Sketches to recreate before the workshop, so you're ready to dive right in.
  • Value Photos to help you understand light and dark in your compositions.
  • Color Lists for each painting, ensuring you have the right palette at your fingertips.
  • Supply List so you’re fully prepared with everything you need.
  • Subject Descriptions that break down what you’ll be painting and why it matters.
  • Techniques for Each Demo to give you step-by-step guidance.
  • What You’ll Walk Away With—a clear understanding of what you’ll achieve by the end of the workshop.
  • A Note-Taking Page in each section to capture key ideas and insights.
  • Recommended Reading to further your learning.
And, as a special touch, Dale will personally call you before the workshop to answer any questions and make sure you're all set to get the most out of your experience.
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The Workshop
​Teaching through a paint-along method allows the student to follow each step as it unfolds, observing the brushwork and techniques in real time. It offers a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and recreate what has just been demonstrated—a powerful way to internalize the process.
Dale encourages his students to ask questions freely as he paints, understanding that curiosity is the foundation of growth. He believes that every inquiry, no matter how small, deepens the connection between artist and craft.

And don’t forget to bring your camera. Capturing key moments along the way provides a valuable reference as you build your understanding. For Dale, the act of teaching is as much about sharing his insights as it is about fostering a spirit of exploration. In his view, knowledge shared generously leads to mastery—and that is the essence of excellent learning.

Dale Will Show You: 
Dale will guide you in mastering the natural rhythms and movements of water, teaching you to approach it with a relaxed yet deliberate hand. You’ll learn:
  • The Art of Moving Water: How to capture the fluid grace of waterfalls and rapids, letting your brush flow as naturally as the current.
  • Placing Rocks with Purpose: Discover how to integrate rocks naturally along the edges, creating balance and harmony in your composition.
  • Turbulence in the Flow: Learn to weave rocks seamlessly into the water, crafting believable areas of turbulence and depth in the river’s motion.
  • Anchoring the Scene: Dale will reveal his techniques for connecting trees, foliage, and sky with the water, creating a unified and convincing landscape.
  • The Colors of Water: Water isn’t simply blue—it’s a symphony of hues. Together, you’ll explore the temperatures of blue and its interplay with other colors, uncovering the subtle shifts that bring life and realism to your painting.
  • How to Confidently Mix Greens: Bringing together the land and water in perfect harmony. With his guidance, you’ll learn the secrets to creating vibrant, natural greens that flow seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, enhancing both water and earth.
  • Demystify Aerial Perspective: He will teach you how to create the illusion of distance and depth in your paintings, making every scene feel expansive and real. From capturing the mist rising off a waterfall to the subtle shifts in color as water flows over rocks, you’ll gain the skills to bring your landscapes to life.

​So, get ready for a hands-on, immersive experience. You’ll dive right in, painting the rapids, rivers, and waterfalls of northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s time to embrace the wild beauty of nature—and translate it onto your canvas with confidence.
MORE INFO AT DILLMAN'S
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715-588-3143 
[email protected]
Physical Address
13277 Dillman's Way
Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538

Mailing Address
PO Box 98
Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538
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THANK YOU ANNAPOLIS WATERCOLOR CLUB

11/15/2024

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 This past Wednesday, November 13th, I had the joy of leading a Fall demo for the Annapolis Watercolor Club, and let me tell you, it was such a meaningful experience. They’re celebrating their Golden Anniversary this coming year, and their request for a painting filled with autumn golds couldn’t have been more fitting. There’s something so inspiring about blending the season’s richness with the significance of their milestone.

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I sent them a reference packet in addvance so if the members could paint along with me. This includes:
  • A reference photo from my personal library
  • Photo description
  • The pencil sketch on 300 lb. Inigo Watercolor paper
  • Qor watercolor paints used in this painting 
  • What you will learn
  • What you will walk away

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​I’m delighted to announce that I have been invited back to host an engaging two-day Zoom workshop for their members this coming January 2025. This will be my second time working with this incredible group, and I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to reconnect and collaborate on something extraordinary. 

I’m also pleased to share that this workshop will be open to my wonderful patrons, making it an excellent chance for all of us to come together. I’m busy fine-tuning all the details to ensure an enriching experience for everyone involved. Be sure to check back in a few weeks for updates, as I’ll share more information soon. 

I can hardly wait to gather again, this time from the cozy comfort of our individual spaces, as we immerse ourselves in the beauty of art and cultivate a strong sense of community.

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Did You Know You Don't Need a Facebook Account to Watch My Monthly Free Demo?Here's How!

4/19/2024

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You can watch my Watercolor Escape Saturday livestream without signing up for Facebook. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need an account to view my stream!
​

Once a person without a Facebook account follows this direct link CLICK HERE you will see one of three pages.
​

1. The first page may look like this:
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2. You can access the CURRENT WATERCOLOR ESCAPE SATURDAY live video link by scrolling down.

3. Click on link.
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4. When you click on the event, a pop-up window will appear. The Event Cover Banner will change to the live event once Dale starts at noon CST.
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I look forward to seeing you then!
​Now you’re all set. Enjoy Facebook Live! 
https://www.facebook.com/DaleLPopovich/events

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Students Immersed Themselves in Watercolors with Dale Popovich at Dillman's Art Retreat: 4-Day Workshop with a "Workbook Bonus"

10/2/2023

0 Comments

 
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September 27-30, 2023
​FOUR-DAY WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP
​

Watercolor Impressions of
the Great Northwoods 


I want to tell you it was an honor to teach these four full days at  Dillman's. I hope my students had as much fun as I did. Like I said it was a pleasant learning experience for me to see the various interpretations of my demos. I am always thrilled to help you, the artist truly see.
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STUDENTS PRINTED OUT THE PDF WORKBOOK AND PLACED IN A 3-HOLE RING BINDER
The Workbook
Our dedication to providing our students with the best possible education has led us to create a comprehensive workbook on six paintings. If this format looks familiar, you may have attended one of my Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts ZOOM classes out of Chicago. We have been testing it on my students. ​
Among the items included were:
  • A four-day schedule
  • Books I recommend
  • Photos
  • Pencil drawings on watercolor paper for them to copy before the Workshop
  • Value photos
  • Paints and art supplies used
  • What you will learn
  • What you will walk away with
There was a great response to the workbook! The students felt like they really got more bang for their buck. Marilee asked the group what they wanted to see in the future workbook. A request for Note pages so they could keep them in their binder, and we thought that was a great idea. 

Upon completion of the Workshop, we sent an addendum containing the finished demos.

Before and during the Workshop this workbook serves as a comprehensive roadmap for navigating the Workshop, offering a well-defined route to follow and promoting effective information retention when they got home.

​My 2024 Workshops
​Are Filling Up Fast!


I'm Scheduling 2024-25 workshops now
If you are interested in having Dale L Popovich IWS come do a workshop for your group, please contact us 
at ​ [email protected]

Ask him about the Workbook

​Dillman's Art Retreat
2023 Workshop Scrapbook
I had a fantastic time teaching at Dillman's for four days! I hope my students enjoyed themselves as much as I did.   Seeing how people interpreted my demonstrations was eye-opening for me as an artist. I shared my perspective on art with my artistic students so they could better understand it.
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WATCH THIS SHORT VIDEO
It was a beautiful start to this year's autumn Dillman's watercolor workshop! The weather was warm, and the fall colors were so vibrant. The studio was full of eager attendees, both new and familiar faces. As I prepared for the four-day workshop, several former students from my past workshops, Palette & Chisel classes, and even my Watercolor Escape Saturday Facebook Live viewers came up to me. They were thrilled to be here to learn. It made me so happy to hear that!

Sunday
The kick-off started with a lovely early evening gathering –. Dillman's is the place to be for warm welcomes! The owners, Sue and Denny Robertson and their daughter Stef, are always happy to see instructors and students and make everyone feel welcome. We enjoy a delicious dinner buffet with salmon or chicken kiev, wild rice, fresh broccoli, potatoes, and various delicious miniature desserts. And to top it off, Denny is always generous with the wine. It was a delightful experience!
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Thank you for the comprehensive follow-up and addendum to your class last week at Dillman’s. I had an excellent learning experience as well as a good time painting with you.
I have attached a photo of the final exercise I completed in my studio after returning home.
​
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My wife Louise and I have registered for your Dillman’s class on Rivers, Rapids, and Waterfalls from June 2 through 7, 2024. I very much look forward to painting with you again.
​
– 
Bob Barfknecht
Eau Claire WI USA
Dillman's Art Retreat
2023 4-Day Watercolor Workshop
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The Workshop
I shared my personal library of photos I have taken over the years. This year, Marilee and I developed a workbook for the students as a PDF, and it was well received. This workshop was no different. I was excited about introducing my passion for watercolor impressions of the Great Northwoods to my students.

Please continue reviewing this year's scrapbook and enjoy all the wonderful memories we created together. Everyone painted one to two artworks daily, and I encouraged them to let go and be creative. To everyone's surprise, they produced a remarkable amount of work, improving their skills significantly.
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So many thanks, Dale, for understanding people like me who are so rooted in my old ways of painting! You offered techniques that opened my eyes to the expanding watercolor techniques I would never have tried without your encouragement. I was pleased that you walked the floor and gave suggestions to improve. Finding new dark colors really created new richness in my work. Gone are the days of washed-out paintings. I recommend Dale Popovich to any and all watercolor beginners and pros. Thank you Dale.
​
– Gail Thovson
Hutchingson MN USA

Dillman's Art Retreat
2023 4-Day Watercolor Workshop​
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Dillman's is a great host for planning every waking moment of our day. Lunchtime boat rides, sandwich buffet, group dinners in town, gallery walks, afternoon snacks, campfires and s'mores, and the most beautiful compound you ever would want to stay at in Wisconsin. 
At the workshop's end, I gave all my demos to six lucky students. I also awarded a painting to Janet S., who attended the most workshops and Palette & Chisel classes, and Carolyn A., who has participated in the most Dillman's workshops. I also awarded a painting to Kim S. for the most improved artist in the group. 

The Last Day
To finish off the day four, Dillman's had champagne, a sweets table and handed out Artist License Certificates of completion. Well done everyone.
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Dale is extremely talented both as an artist and a teacher. The quality and variety of techniques that I’ve learned from Dale have raised my artwork to greater
heights. Dale knows how to identify the strengths of an artist. He has shown me
how to challenge the expected and unexpected ways of watercolor. I have
observed impressive artistic growth not only in myself but among the other artists
in the workshop. I highly recommend Dale’s classes and workshops.
​
– Tammy B.
Woodstock IL USA
Dillman's Art Retreat
2023 4-Day Watercolor Workshop​
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Thank you everyone for your continued support. Next year, I hope you will be able to join me in God's country.
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I will be back next year 

  • Spring Workshop: JUNE 2 - 7, 2024, Four teaching days 
  • Fall Workshop: SEP 29 - OCT 4, 2024: Four teaching days

Next year, I hope you will be able to join me in God's country.
REGISTER HERE

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Why Every Artist Needs to Read John Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting

2/13/2023

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My wife turned me onto a great podcast called Artist Helping Artist. The host, Leslie Saeta, and her co-host Margaret Sheldon discuss a specific topic that addresses how to sell more art online, along with guest artists, gallerists, and others sharing their knowledge of the business side of art. Even though these two artists have not published a podcast in several years, these two ladies are on trend with social media and marketing. I enjoyed their talks with famous artists like Doug Diehl and Stapleton Kearns. In fact, Stapleton Kearns judged the Indiana Heritage Art Show in Nashville, IN, several years ago. One warning once you start listening, you won't be able to stop!​

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As I was going through the massive collections of Artist Helping Artists podcasts – nearly 10 years, Leslie and Margaret shared their feelings about John F Carlson's book Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting. As you all know, this is my favorite art book of all time. Even though I am a watercolorist and Carlson worked in oils, it has valuable information about drawing, painting, perspective, atmosphere, and so much more. On their show, they mention some of the key ideas from the book... they hope that this will cause their audience (and mine) to reread it or purchase it for your art book collection. It's fantastic that a book nearly 100 years old still holds up. The podcast is about an hour, so listen to it while driving or taking a little time. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN.​

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The book is easy to find –you can buy a soft cover, spiral bound, or a Kindle book at AMAZON. If you own an iPad like I, you can purchase an iBook at APPLE'S ITUNES STORE.
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Dillman's – The Disneyland of Workshops

10/18/2021

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PictureHere's a sample from one of my students, Karen Isakson Wilson. She has been a student of mine for 40+ years.

September 27-30, 2021
​FOUR-DAY WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP
​

Watercolor Impressions of
the Great Northwoods 
I want to tell you it was an honor to teach these four full days at  Dillman's. I hope MY students had as much fun as I did. Like I said it was a pleasant learning experience for me to see the various interpretations of my demos. I am always thrilled to help you, the artist truly see.

Dillman's Art Retreat
2021 Workshop Scrapbook
This year's Dillman's watercolor workshop started off with above normal temperatures, blazing autumn colors, and a packed studio. Artist started showing up early Sunday afternoon setting up their equipment for a four full day workshop. I was so pleased to see old friends and new artists. Two ladies stopped me in the parking lot to let me know they enjoy watching my Watercolor Escape Saturdays, YouTube videos and Dillman's Facebook live events. 
Sunday
Dillman's always offers a lovely early evening reception which included Denny Robertson, owner welcoming the instructors and students. From there we enjoyed a buffet dinner of salmon or chicken kiev, wild rice, fresh green beans and a display of tiny desserts. Oh, the owner, Denny kept the wine flowing.

The Workshop
As you may know, I share my personal library of photos I have taken over the years. This workshop was no different. I was so excited about introducing my passion for watercolor impressions of the Great Northwoods to my students.

Take a look at my scrapbook below and see all the fun we had. Everyone painted two paintings a day. I pushed them to get loose and free – I have to say everyone was surprised at
how much they produced.

Dillman's is a great host planning every waking moment of our day. Lunchtime boat rides, box lunches, group dinners in town, gallery walks, snacks in the morning and afternoons, campfires and s'mores, and the most beautiful compound you ever would want to stay at in Wisconsin. 

At the end of the workshop, I gave away all of my demos to eight lucky students. To finish off the last day Dillman's had champagne, cupcakes, and handed out certificates of completion.
Well done everyone.

I will be back next year, Sept 25-30, 2022 - four teaching days, and will cover the same subject, Watercolor Impressions
of the Great Northwoods. 

My wife Marilee will also be giving an art marketing workshop, Claim Your Online Presence as a Professional Artist on May 17-22, 2022 –  four teaching days. I hope you will be able to make it to next year's workshop in God's country.
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See what you missed yesterday!

6/11/2021

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Finished my first week of a new Palette & Chisel Zoom watercolor studio class. This summer session runs for 4-weeks and you will complete four paintings. My instruction is done as a paint-along. Why? I feel my students retain what they learn better in small bite-size portions.

The photo reference was from my personal library. This was early fall in northern Indiana on the Tippecanoe River. The attention was on the shoreline of the river paying close attention to the reflections in the water.
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In this course, you will receive a Zoom link for your live class + a weekly PDF packet including:
•The reference
• My pencil sketch on watercolor paper
• Value study
• Materials needed including QoR watercolors
•This week's techniques
•After this Paint-Along I want you to walk away with
• Start-To-Finish painting packet
• Video link recap
The next Palette & chisel Zoom class starts July 15.
​I would love to have you in my class. 
Online Learning
​How to Paint
in Watercolor 

Palette & Chisel, Chicago 
312-642-4400

​Course #916
Date: Date: 7/15/2021-8/5/2021
Time: 10:30 AM-1:00 PM CDT on Thursdays
​Medium: Watercolor 
Level: All Levels
tuition: $180.00
Status: Available
CALL FOR REGISTRATION 
(312) 642-4400 
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REGISTER ONLINE
Have any questions please email me.
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    Da​le L Popovich IWS

    Dale is an award-winning watercolorist and teacher passionate about capturing the raw beauty of the American landscape with the fluid stroke of a brush. As you will see, the works selected in his portfolio represent the depth of his holistic approach to painting. You can also learn with this talented and experienced teacher through his workshops, Palette & Chisel, and Popovich Studio classes.

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