Dale L Popovich 2025 Dillman's workshop:RIVERS, RAPIDS & WATERFALLS IN WATERCOLOR

DILLMAN'S 2025 SPRING WORKSHOP: RIVERS, RAPIDS & WATERFALLS IN WATERCOLOR

11/22/2024

Jun 1 - Jun 6, 2025
(Four Teaching Days)
Returning for the 7th year in 2024 • www.dalepopovich.com

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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