ROOTED IN LIGHT: PAINTING THE SPIRIT OF TREES IN WATERCOLOR

There’s a certain hush that only nature knows—a stillness that settles over the landscape when the
world pauses and the air feels alive with quiet. It’s in that calm moment, when light filters through
the trees and every sound feels softer, closer, more intimate, that we find the true rhythm of the
natural world. On January 26th and 27th, from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., join Dale L. Popovich for a two-day watercolor workshop presented by LOLA Arts, where we’ll explore that serenity together—one brushstroke at a time.

This workshop isn’t just about painting—it’s about seeing. You’ll learn how light moves across form,
how shadows carry warmth, and how subtle shifts in color can breathe life into a landscape.
Over two immersive days, we’ll dive deep into the language of trees—their structure, gesture, and
quiet grace. You’ll observe how each species grows differently, how the curve of a trunk and the
reach of a branch give rhythm and balance to the whole. We’ll talk about when to simplify or
embellish, when to let the tree speak for itself, and how to compose with harmony and intent.
Then we’ll move to paint—translating these insights into watercolor using value, temperature,
intensity, and color. You’ll experiment with warm light filtering through cool shadows, explore how
distance softens edges, and discover how subtle contrasts can bring a tree’s living essence to the
page.
To guide you on this journey, you’ll receive our exclusively created Workshop Workbook—a
thoughtfully designed companion to enrich your learning. Inside, you’ll find reference photos,
pencil sketches, value studies, paint lists for each project, and step-by-step techniques you’ll
master along the way. Think of it as both a map and a memory book—one you’ll return to again
and again for inspiration.
See attached supply list for workshop materials.
Each brushstroke will echo the language of the woods—steady, graceful, and rooted in truth. This
workshop isn’t just about painting trees; it’s about understanding their character and, in the
process, discovering a deeper connection to your own creative voice.
In every branch, there’s balance. In every trunk, endurance. And in every wash of color, the quiet
whisper of nature—waiting for you to listen.

BIOGRAPHY

Dale L. Popovich IWS, an award-winning watercolorist and teacher,
is renowned for his ability to capture the essence of the American
landscape with the fluid stroke of a brush. More than 49 years ago,
Dale lost 80% of his vision. He learned to rely on his mind’s eye to
sustain himself. He underwent a nine-hour major brain surgery to
remove a cyst on his optic nerve. Afterwards, he had to relearn how
to walk, climb stairs, and write again. Despite the challenges, Dale
persevered, and with his vision finally restored, he discovered that
he could see more clearly than before efficiently filtering out the
visual “noise” around him to focus on a subject’s essentials. Dale’s
paintings began to reflect a certain purity of perception, and this
“way of seeing” became the hallmark of his work.

©2025 Dale L Popovich All rights reserve 10/25

PO Box 54 • Conover Wisconsin 54519
Studio 219 671 5535 • Marilee’s Cell 219 616 0338
PopovichDale@gmail.com
DalePopovich.com

ToweringWindsAcademyOfFineArts.teachable.com
The Studios of Dale L Popovich IWS
Spending his childhood summers in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, Dale learned to love its colors, textures, denizens, and moods – and developed his holistic approach to watercolor. Today, his paintings celebrate these American landscapes and man’s humble efforts to tame them.
Dale received his training at The American Academy of Art in Chicago, where he was deeply inspired by past Director and President Irving Shapiro AWS, a great American twentieth-century watercolorist. Dale later taught at the same academy for 22 years, passing on his knowledge and passion to aspiring artists.
Dale is currently an esteemed faculty member at the Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago, an institution of great renown established in 1895. As the second oldest artist organization in the United States, the P & C has a longstanding tradition of excellence. Dale’s instructional services include weekly virtual studio classes via Zoom platform, as well as workshops and demonstrations across America.

He and his wife, Marilee, have also launched an online art school called ToweringWindsAcademyOfFineArts.teachable.com, which aims to share Dale’s knowledge and passion with a broader audience. One of his passions is to Teach People to Truly SeeTM.
Dale’s professional teaching career began in 1978, and he has since trained over 5500 students, many of whom have gone on to become accomplished artists.
Dale is a member of several organizations, including:
• The Illinois Watercolor Society (signature member)
• The Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago, IL
• Indiana Heritage Arts in Nashville, IN
• Watercolor Society of Indiana in Indianapolis, IN
• Plein Air Painters Chicago, IL.
Dale, together with his wife Marilee and their Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Miss Poppy, reside in a
charming log cabin situated in the Great Northwoods of Wisconsin. Dale is an accomplished artist and educator whose works have been widely featured in several collections across the nation. His exceptional artistic skills, coupled with his extensive teaching experience, have earned him a reputation as an expert in the field.

WATERCOLOR SUPPLY LIST

Here is my recommended watercolor art supply list for my classes and workshops. But if you have
watercolor supplies bring them and I can take a look. Most all of my supplies below are hot linked to
the appropriate websites. One final thing as a Rosemary & Co and Amazon Associate

Paint (tube paints only)
Recommended brans: Qor, Holbein, Windsor & Newton Professional, Blick Artists’ Watercolors, or Royal Talens Rembrandt* ( NOT Cotman)
Colors
Cobalt Blue
Ultramarine Blue
Manganese Blue
Raw Sienna
Burnt Sienna or Transparent Brown Oxide
Brown Madder or Alizarin Crimson
Permanent Scarlet
Sap Green
Cobalt Violet
Cadmium Yellow Medium
Gouache
Winsor & Newton designers, Permanent White

BRUSHES
I prefer ROSEMARY & CO, real hair
watercolor brushes if you can afford them. I earn from qualifying purchases.

Click link: https://mailchi.mp/dalepopovich.com/rosemary-and-co-popovich-brush-picks

• Series 107 Goat Hair Oval Mope-medium
• Box of Four Chinese Painting Brushes
• 1” flat brush
• #5 round brush
• #6 round brush
• #4 rigger brush
• 1/2” filbert or cat’s tongue brush

PALETTE
MEEDEN Airtight leakproof watercolor
palette travel paint tray. I personally
prefer this palette because it’s easy
to transport.

PAPER
MY PREFERRED PAPER – 2 sheet
Indigo Handmade Artpapers 640gsm/300
lb, 22″ × 30″*
or
2 sheet Fabriano 300# watercolor paper:
22”x 30” – cold press**
ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES
18” x 24” x 3⁄4” drawing board
3/4” masking tape (NO colored tape)
B pencil or %SHQFLO
Kneaded eraser
X-Acto knife
Paper towels
Small water spray bottle
Natural sea sponge
Cellulose sponge
Water container
Old toothbrush
OPTIONAL: Tabletop easel***