Dale L Popovich IWS watercolors and art teacher blog

All in a Day's Work

8/4/2020

Feels so good to have a busy day like last Wednesday, July 29, 2020.
Started off by teaching my weekly watercolor studio class at MainStreet Art Center in Lake Zurich. It's a drive from Highland, IN but this passionate group of artists is worth the trip. This energy starts from the top and that's because of the care and passion Frankie Johnson, Owner, and Master Artist shares with her students and faculty. She inspires and has the ability to unlocking talents from folks who come to the center.

In case you don't know the Mainstreet Art Center is a school of fine art offering classes in drawing and painting for artists of all ages and levels of experience. Open since 1994, Mainstreet attracts students from all over the Chicago area, Rockford and southern Wisconsin. The professional staff of instructors have careers as working artists, exhibit in galleries throughout the country, teach workshops, and appear in artists' publications.

I've taught watercolor at Mainstreet for six years and just finished a 3-full day workshop earlier this month. www.dalepopovich.com/best-3-full-day-watercolor-workshop

In my class, you will learn to implement key concepts and watercolor painting techniques that will allow you to have a deeper understanding of the medium, with a focus on the top principles of creating a solid painting.

As you understand these elements through painting pictures you will have better control of the medium and gain a deeper understanding of the creative process of transparent watercolor painting. I have to let you know my studio watercolor class has a waiting list so call Cathy and she will help you out. www.mainstreetartcenter.com

CLICK THE IMAGE TO VIEW THE JUDGING ON YOUTUBE

From there I went to Elmhurst Art Museum to judge the Elmhurst Artists' Guild 2020 Member’s Show. The EAG is a charitable and not-for-profit offering up shows and exhibitions, workshops, lectures, classes, and other similar activities. The purpose of this organization is to encourage, promote, advance, and assist art education and instruction, and the advancement and development of the arts.

EAG has its own gallery at the Elmhurst Art Museum. If you have a chance to stop by and check out the show or if you have any concerns regarding COVID-19 you can view the entries and video of the winners on their website. The show runs through Friday, September 4, 2020. www.elmhurstartistsguild.org

While in Elmhurst I stopped off at a friend and his wife's to say hi keeping social distance top of mind. Spent a few hours enjoying the afternoon chatting about art, family, and everything in between in their beautiful garden under the shade of a stately maple tree.

Got home for a little dinner and prepared for a two-hour Zoom meeting with the Plein Air Painters of Chicago. Met Virginia Ferrante, moderator of the Zoom event and PAPC member. I was invited to critique 30 pieces and let me tell you the time flew by reviewing amazing talent in this group.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO VIEW THE CRITIQUE ON YOUTUBE

The PAPC is affiliated with the Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago where I teach Watercolor and The Fundamentals of Drawing and Painting. The PAPC offers paint-outs April thru October. This prolific group schedules three Saturday paint-outs, one Sunday morning paint-out, and one Friday night paint-out.

Paint-outs feature cityscapes, nature in the parks, the Lakefront and Riverwalk. At least one paint-out per month includes a demo and members-only critique with an experienced instructor/guest artist. I was asked to be their July guest artist.

PLEASE NOTE: Between the current increase in cases of Covid-19 and the difficulty in physical distancing, the PAPC Steering Team determined to cancel future paint-outs until they can see a two-week decline in cases. They will assess the situation again, August 2, 2020. www.papchicago.com

Checkout Eric Rhoads https://ericrhoads.com Entrepreneur, Writer, Artist, Marketer, Speaker, Renaissance man's interview with Mary Longe, current lead for the Plein Air Painters Chicago. He spent time with her for his Plein Air podcast. Mary Longe shares advice for starting a plein air group. www.outdoorpainter.com

After finishing the day I played with Miss Poppy our Pembroke Welsh Corgi pup and had a glass of freshly brewed ice tea with my wife, Marilee. It was a good day.

If you are looking for a judge, demonstration, or workshop please drop me a note. I would enjoy talking. [email protected].

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CRUSH-IT: The Best 3-Full Day Watercolor Workshop

7/13/2020

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My 3-full day workshop at MainStreet Art Center, Lake Zurich, IL, Abstract Paintings of Nature in Watercolor was finally a go! I had a wonderful time getting back in the teaching "saddle". Because of COVID19, this workshop had been rescheduled several times. But Frankie Johnson, owner of MainStreet and I were bound and determined to have it happen. As you can figure all of my events had been canceled. Marilee and I were incredibly organized this year with scheduling teaching, workshops, shows, and demos This was the weirdest thing to see it vaporize before our very eyes.

Besides demonstrating the beauty of watercolor I shared my thoughts about materials and the importance of buying the best products you can afford. One of my students was using a mix of Winsor and Newton Cotman and Grumbacher watercolor paints. Needless to say, she was struggling so I let her try my QoR watercolors and she said "WOW! What a huge difference." I can't stress enough the importance of using professional-grade watercolors. In addition, the same goes for watercolor paper. Only buy 100% cotton. You are asking for trouble if you buy a cheaper grade that contains wood fibers. The paper will pill when you scrub it. My third must-have is real hair brushes If you can afford them. Otherwise a blend of synthetic/real hair. If you take care of them you will keep them for a long time. My series The real hair loads a lot of paint and doesn't wear out like synthetic. My 1" 202 Morrilla is over 40 years old. Unfortunately, it's not made anymore but you may find a used one on eBay. If you would like to see my supply recommendations and list CLICK HERE.

Masks on, socially distanced in place, sleeves pushed up to work, learn, and have fun!

DAY 1: The morning painting was a snow scene of the beginning of the Wisconsin River (Land O' Lakes, WI) which has been one of my favorite sites to paint, whether it's spring, summer, fall, or winter. The levels of water change as does the foliage, colors, textures, and the influence of light. I call this river home. In this exercise, I wanted to teach how to handle snow and paint anything white. evaluate temperature and not copy the photo.

My personal photo reference – Demo 1

My personal photo reference – Demo 2

My afternoon demo was a fall scene full of autumnal colors where my students learned the spontaneity of no drawing and following the light and dark patterns. Two paintings completed and so proud of everyone’s first day of work.

DAY TWO: The learning and fun continue! Two more were paintings completed.

The morning demo was T.C .Steele's house in southern Indiana. During this demo, I wanted to share the ease of drawing a structure and how to incorporate it into a landscape in a simple way. I also shared how to make a very dark subject interesting.

The afternoon demo was another scene from the Great Northwoods of Wisconsin. The tranquil water scene was a perfect example to show how to achieve an atmospheric perspective. Pushing the background back and look believable. I also get quite a few requests for the secrets of painting water. I shared my approach to water with just a few brushstrokes. So proud of everyone’s second day of work.

DAY THREE: the last day of my 3-full day watercolor workshop. In the morning study, I wanted everyone to learn how to work with high-contrast and minimal drawing. I also wanted to share my techniques of dry-brushing in watercolor.

The afternoon was the student's choice. I shared two different subjects and the vivid green forest won. Once again this demo was without a pencil sketch on their watercolor paper, freehanding light and dark patterns. Working with a close color palette of greens and blue-greens and how to use one complementary color to gray down your shadows. And finally, be fearless about pushing the darks especially at the beginning.

I want to thank everyone for signing up and attending including the owner, Frankie Johnson, and Kathy Clouse who is MainStreet's Girl Friday and more. The three days went by too fast. I was so impressed with everyone and I’ll let you in on a little secret — half the students never painted in watercolor before which made it that much more thrilling for me because my goal is to help people truly see. Also thank you Frankie and Jay for your hospitality.

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CRUSH-IT: The Best 3-Full Day Watercolor Workshop in Lake Zurich, IL

2/27/2020

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UPDATE:
change to May 30, 31 and June 1

Click on the arrow above to view a short video

RESCHEDULED to
May 30, 31 & June 1, 2020
Saturday, Sunday & Monday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
$400.00

I have had the honor to share my painting knowledge as a watercolor teacher at Mainstreet Art Center going on six years. It's a little over an hour's drive from Highland to Lake Zurich every Wednesday for my morning watercolor class but it is well worth it. If you have never been there for a class, tour or workshop well it is quite inspiring for the students and the facility.

First of all, Mainstreet is nestled in the quaint town of Lake Zurich, IL. Frankie Johnson, Owner, and Director has owned Mainstreet for almost 26 years. She is an accomplished master painter with over 40 years of experience in oil painting and pastels. She shares this knowledge with her students and it shows. I am always amazed at the talent that comes out of this art school Checkout Frankie's personal studio site. www.frankiejohnsonartstudio.com

Many of these budding artists are in their third act wanting to explore a desire to paint after they have retired and or the kids are out of the nest. Other artists want to take their skills to the next level. The Mainstreet Art Center offers a wide variety of fine art classes for all ages. Beginners start with drawing in charcoal and then advance to painting in oils, pastels or watercolor. Advanced students are constantly challenged with new techniques and subjects. The craft of painting is taught by demonstration and individual instruction.

Mainstreet Art Center offers a wonderful selection of classes including:

Charcoal Drawing
Oil Painting
Pastels
Watercolor Painting
Portrait Painting
Open Studio
Plus Frames & Supplies

Frankie asked me to develop the best 3-Full Day Watercolor Workshop for Mainstreet. This workshop called Abstract Patterns of Nature in Watercolor is a concentrated study in watercolor. I have seen these intensive studies help the student climb to a new level whether you are starting the journey or you have painted for a while.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Let me show you how to ignite your passion for watercolor. In this 3-day workshop, the student will experience my unique step-by-step instruction in transparent watercolor. Exploring the beauty of nature, and gain a deeper, richer understanding of the techniques, properties, and tools of this unique medium. Students will learn how to block in the painting, interpret color, values and temperatures. Use different processes of watercolor: work wet-into-wet as well as wet-on-to-dry. Understand the importance of a focal point and how to place it. He will also share his secrets to bring your painting to a new level.

My objective for this workshop is to share my 41 years of professional art instruction and for the student to gain confidence in this medium. The student will walk away with a greater, more in-depth understanding of transparent watercolor. The class is designed for beginners and intermediate artists.

Landscape photo references will be supplied by the instructor. Supply list will be handed-out at registration. If you have any questions please email me.