Volume #1 October 2012 Issue #4
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PALETTE & CHISEL 2012 FALL
CLASSES SCHEDULE
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Palette & Chisel
Academy of Fine Art
Chicago
and Painting 101, 102, 103
Krajecki/Popovich
 | | Krajecki -- Mt. Horeb |
 | | Popovich -- Autumn Glow |
Session #1: Oct. 9-Dec.13, 2012
Several spaces still available
(Classes will be held on November 19 & 20 Monday and Tuesday-Thanksgiving week.)
Session #2: Jan. 8-Mar.14, 2013
Session #3: Mar. 19-May 23, 2013
Ten Weeks
Tuesdays and Thursdays
10:30a-1:00p
TUITION: $560 (includes $35
P&C registration fee)
Class size: 16
This course is vital all students wishing to pursue a successful art career, as well as students who wish to improve their drawing or painting skills. This course begins with Fundamentals 101, which stresses drawing and composition, then continues with Fundamentals 102, which stresses color theory and application. In 103, students put the practical theories and applications learned in 101 and 102 through several landscape paintings. Each assignment is designed specifically for both the beginning fine artist as well as the intermediate student. This course covers the basics of theory and practice, composition, linear perspective, and many of the various techniques of painting. Following the tradition of the Academy method of instruction, all three levels are taught in the same classroom, which encourages reinforcement of theories and practices within all levels.
Fundamentals 201: All students who have completed the Fundamentals 101, 102, and 103 can continue with 201 class to choose areas that they wish to improve.
All assignments will be individually designed to help the student in the area or areas that they choose. Each assignment will be incorporated with painting landscapes, seascapes, and still life or figures.
Watercolor -
From Start to Finish
Bob Krajecki
 | | Autumn Splendor |
Class #250: Oct. 9-Nov. 6
5 weeks-Tues. 1:30-4:00p
Several spaces still available
Class #251: Nov.13-Dec. 11
5 weeks-Tues. 1:30-4:00p
2013
Class #252:Jan. 8- Feb.5
5 weeks-Tues. 1:30-4:00p
Class #253:Feb. 12-Mar.12 5 weeks-Tues. 1:30-4:00p
Class #254: Mar. 19-Apr. 16
5 weeks-Tues. 1:30-4:00p
TUITION: $175 (includes $35 P&C registration fee)
Class size: 16
Watercolor painting is not just the process of applying pigment to paper. It is knowing what color, what value, what temperature and what intensity to use to create form, depth and rhythm in creating a work of art.
A demonstration of a composition in a step-by-step format is given each class. I explain the process and techniques as I paint, and then the students apply them in their own painting during each class.
NEW!
How to Paint in Watercolor
5 weeks-Thurs. 1:30p-4:00p
Several spaces still available
Class #902: Nov.15-Dec. 13 ( class will be held on Nov. 19)
5 weeks-Thurs. 1:30p-4:00p
2013
Class #903: Jan. 10- Feb.7
5 weeks-Tues. 1:30p-4:00p
Class #904: Feb. 14-Mar.14
5 weeks-Tues. 1:30p-4:00p
Class #905: Mar. 19-Apr. 16
5 weeks-Tues. 1:30p-4:00p
TUITION: $175 (includes $35 P&C registration fee)
Class size: 16
Supply List: click here
In this class you will learn to implement key concepts and watercolor painting techniques that will allow you to have a deeper understanding of the medium. Each art lesson includes one-on-one guidance with focus on the top principles of creating a solid painting:
- How to draw
- Value relationships
- How to Paint color interpretation
- Composition
- Watercolor techniques
- How to use your art supplies
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.
PALETTE & CHISEL
1012 N. Dearborn
Chicago IL 60610
P (312)642-4400
F (312)642-4317
Email
fineart1012@sbcglobal.net
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday
10:30am-6:30pm
Friday 10:30am-5:00pm
Visit us at
www.paletteandchisel.org
 | | Pastel by Kathleen Newman kathleennewman.com |
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BOB KRAJECKI FALL STUDIO CLASSES
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Change of Seasons
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Friday: 1:00-4:00pm
Class openings available.
Please call for information.
Class is held in rural Kaneville in the old high school turned community center. A demonstration of a composition in a step-by-step format is given each class. I explain the process and techniques as I paint, and then the students apply them in their own painting. All levels of students are welcome to join at any time.
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DALE POPOVICH FALL STUDIO CLASSES 
Tuesday: 1:00-4:00pm
Class openings available
Thursday: 6:30-9:00pm
Private instruction available. Please call for information.
This class is held in my personal studio in Highland, IN and is geared towards the individual based on his or her skills. All the basics will be covered from value sketches, how to use a photo reference properly to painting your watercolor. Materials and application of watercolor will be discussed. There will be demos and personal guidance along the way.
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a single Paint.
Draw. Create. Newsletter
By joining our list, Paint. Draw. Create. you will receive our monthly email newsletter with information about our studios, class schedules, workshops, events, valuable tips and more -- Click Here. Thank you.
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Greetings!
Our record hot summer in the Chicagoland area is a distant memory as we now enjoy the crisp, colorful days of fall. With the cooler, shorter days, our surroundings have changed dramatically, and the low autumn light has a unique glow. The Krajecki's and Popovich's traveled to the Great Northwoods a few weeks ago to the Popovich's log cabin. The autumn colors against the sapphire blue skies were breathtaking. We were in need of some fresh photo references, well deserved R&R and a lot of fun. We visited Bond Falls in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on two separate occasions to capture light at different times of the day. For more info on this amazing water fall visit gowaterfalling.com. In this newsletter you'll get inside our heads and find out what we look for when in search of great photo references. Our goal is to capture a multitude of images and videos. When the snow flies we will settle down in our studios and start creating from our Wisconsin references. We want to share with you how we start the process - the research -- part 1. In future newsletters we share the results.
Also in ths newsletter we will share another win with Bob and one of his students from his Studio class. We also have another classic book selection in Our Personal Library.
If you have a friend that would like to review a copy of our newsletter they can go to our newsletter archive at http://tinyurl.com/Paint-Draw-Create. Thanks and let's start painting, drawing and creating.
Best,
Bob Krajecki and Dale Popovich
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Krajecki's 7 tips
for solid photo references
by Bob Krajecki
How do you get around
not being overwhelmed by surroundings?
I focus on looking for those large areas of light and dark that create a pattern for a good composition.
 What are you looking for in a good reference?
I look for the big shapes. John Carlson says in his book
that: "a good painting is comprised of 3 or 4 large areas of value."
Why is a good reference important?
The more information you have of your subject matter, the more you have to choose from for your painting.
How do you use a reference to your best advantage?
In the way I was trained, back in the old days, I used sketches, each one taking 10-15 minutes. After doing several sketches, I could compare to see which one had the best composition. Now with the computer, using Adobe Photoshop®, I can do the same sketches in a shorter time. I can manipulate the objects-change the color, values, textures; reduce, enlarge; add objects from other photos-all in a much shorter time frame.
 | | before |
 | | after Photoshop color adjustment |
Morning vs. afternoon light
Di Vinci said the early morning or late afternoon light is the best light for capturing your subject matter.
Capturing scenes with a video camera
Taking video helps refresh your memory of the experience of actually being "in" a scene.  | CLICK AND WATCH MY YOU TUBE VIDEO
Bond Falls-study of water |
PERSPECTIVE
Talk about aerial perspective
Aerial perspective is the effect of air on the value and color in anything you look at, and always has to be taken into consideration when you are trying to paint realistically. Basically the colors will get cooler in temperature, and the values will get closer together (darks will lighter as they recede, and lights will get darker as they recede.) On any given day, I ask my students what the barometric pressure is- and most often I get a roomful of quizzical looks. The barometric pressure measures the weight of air at sea level, and basically tells you that air has weight, color and volume. The more air you look through, the more the color and value will change. You are always looking at the effects of barometric pressure. John Carlson uses the analogy of looking through a sheer curtain. When you look at a scene through a sheer curtain, you are looking at color and value of the subject matter and the color and value added by the curtain.
FALL COLOR AND TEXTURE
Rocks vs. water vs. leaves, etc.
The interesting thing about fall scenes are the colors of the leaves- which are warm, and the contrast-the water-which is generally cool, picking up the color of the sky. In the fall, the water also reflects the warm colors of the leaves, which offers a complexity of warm and cool colors in the composition.
Areas like Bond Falls are interesting because of the variety of textures-hard rocks, soft leaves, moving water, and one of the reasons why they are some of my favorite subject matters-the rigidity and solidness of rocks against the flowing movement of water.
Bob's take away
Because the weather and lighting was perfect, I was able to capture the subject matter that I most like to paint, and it was an excellent resource for visual information gathering.
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Popovich's  7 secrets
to finding
great reference material
by Dale Popovich
How do you get around
not being overwhelmed by surroundings?
Try using a 'Viewfinder.' Cut two 'L' shape pieces of mat board and clip together. This isolates your subject matter and will help with your photo reference composition. Keep a pair of these in your backpack because you will eventually use them when you start plein air painting. What are you looking for in a good reference? First look for contrast of value. A strong light source is important. Second, having a few large shapes balanced off with some smaller shapes.   Why is a good reference important? A good reference is important not only for inspiration but structural evidence and good definition.
How do you use a reference to your best advantage?
I identify the the direction of the light source. Decide what to eliminate and focus where the center of interest will be placed.
Capturing scenes with
a video camera
Capturing scenes on video with stop action will allow you to see different movements. Whether people, water or clouds, every second can change the movement in the rush of the moment.  | CLICK AND WATCH MY YOU TUBE VIDEO
Kakabika Falls, October, 2012 |
It can also be a historical record of weather conditions. In the case of K akabika Falls the water flow is down to a trickle exposing a prehistoric beauty. We may never see this again in our lifetimes. With the video I can study the most Intimate details of nature. To view photos of the falls in years past click here and see the astounding difference. PERSPECTIVE Talk about aerial perspective
Observation into the landscape will show you about values:
* Lights get darker in the distance and darks get lighter in the distance.
* Colors are warmer in the foreground and cooler in the background as they recede. The exception - snow. It is reversed.
* Details lesson in the background.
* Intensity of colors greys down in background.
* The secret of a good painting is in the greying of the colors.
FALL COLOR AND TEXTURE
Rocks vs. water vs. leaves, etc.
A favorite destination for Bob and I and our wives is Bond Falls in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Bob and I have been there numerous times over the last 18 years - summer and fall. It never ceases to amaze us that it's always different, ever changing whether it be light, color, temperature of colors. Every time we visit the falls I'm marveled by the different amounts of water rushing over the rocks.
Dale's take away My advice is simple. Stop, take it all in and just soak up your surroundings. Make a mental record of sounds, smells and the sunlight on your cheek. We have a gift that most people take for granted - seeing and feeling. So get out, explore and take many, many pictures.
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Krajecki and Kaneville studio student win at the Danada Show
 | | The Vermillion River - Krajecki |
 | | Bob congratulating Debbie on her winning painting. |
Bob Krajecki and Debbie Freerksen were pleased to each win honorable mentions at the Danada Nature Art Show earlier this month. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and the Friends of Danada present the 38th annual Nature Art & Photography Show on October 12 and 13 during the annual Danada Fall Festival, at the Danada House, 3S501 Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL.
The art show was open to all artists, with all work submitted showing some aspect of our natural environment with no indication of human influence. The categories are Animals, Plants and Scenery.
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Our Personal Library 
Andrew Loomis (1889-1959) offered a wealth of very good information, more than in any other book, besides Carlson. Even though it was written as an illustration book, it contains basic, fundamental concepts that every artist needs.
He taught at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, and in 1939 he codified his lessons in his first manual, Fun with a Pencil. Four years later it had already been through six printings, and he followed up over the next two decades with a series of even more successful how-to books that remain the gold standard for artists to this day.
Creative Illustration is considered Loomis's magnum opus, which was aimed primarily at the professional-level illustrator. Divided into seven sections: Line, Tone, Color, Telling the Story, Creating Ideas, Fields of Illustration, and Experimenting and Studies, this book is filled with instructions, tips, insider experiences, and incredible illustrations.
Article courtesy goodreads.com who offers a link to real time compare prices for new and used Loomis's Creative Illustration books. You can also look for it at Amazon, and definitely add it to your library.
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Robert J. Krajecki Watercolor Painting * Egg Tempera * Gouache * Oil Artist * Teacher | |
Robert J. Krajecki
Studio: (630) 557-2027
At a young age, with crayons and coloring book at hand, Bob recalls his mother telling him he was "good at staying inside the lines", and the seed was planted. He became the typical teenage boy, interested in playing baseball and drawing cartoons. Though he was a strong baseball player, Bob chose to pursue his other passion, art.
He began his studies with the Famous Artists Correspondence Course, but midway through the course, he was drafted into the Army. During his tour of duty in the Army Air Corps, training pilots for missions in Viet Nam, he managed to continue his art pursuits by creating a cartoon strip for the aviation newspaper, the Army Flyer.
Once back in civilian life, Bob enrolled at the American Academy of Art, with plans to become a commercial artist. At the suggestion of a fellow student, he sat in on a watercolor demonstration by then Director and President, Irving Shapiro, AWS. Fascinated that a painting of three children, carrying schoolbooks, walking down a country road...in the fall... could be beautifully completed in an hour and a half, Bob was smitten with the watercolor bug, never again to "stay inside the lines".
Including a semester at the Chicago Academy of Art, Bob's journey would lead him to a fine art degree from the American Academy of Art. During a 28-year teaching career at the Academy, he was a fulltime Fundamentals instructor, often taught watercolor classes for Mr. Shapiro, and taught his own watercolor classes for six years. Bob was also the first chair of the Fundamentals department, a position he held for 10 years.
Inspired by John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer, and Richard Schmid, Bob's philosophy and art reflect realism influenced by impressionism, the core of the traditional instruction offered at the Academy when he was a student.
Recent awards include:
2012 - Danada Nature Art Show-Honorable Mention
2012 - Transparent Watercolor Society of America-Donors Award
2012 - Illinois Watercolor Society-Honorable Mention
2011 - Transparent Watercolor Society of America- Lakes Region Watercolor Guild Award
2010 - Illinois Watercolor Society-Awarded signature membership
2010 - "Watercolor 10" Award of Excellence-Norris Gallery, St. Charles, IL
2009 - Illinois Watercolor Society -Award of Excellence
Bob's work was recently published in the April, 2012 issue of Watercolor Artist Magazine
Bob gives demonstrations, offers workshops, and judges shows at many Chicagoland venues.
He is an instructor at the Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago, and far west of the big city, he holds continuing classes in his small hometown of Kaneville, where old farmsteads and cornfields still dominate the landscape.
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Spending his childhood summers in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, Dale learned to love its colors, textures, denizens and moods. Today, his paintings celebrate these American landscapes and man's humble efforts to tame it.
Trained at The American Academy of Art in Chicago by Director and President, Irving Shapiro, AWS. Dale was deeply inspired by this great American twentieth-century watercolorist. Dale later taught for many years at The American Academy of Art. Currently, he teaches at the prestigious Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Art in Chicago, and in his own studio. Devoted to both painting and teaching, Dale's work hangs in collections around the country. Recent awards include:
2012 - Art Comp, Chesterton, IN - Award of Merit
2012 - Indiana Heritage Arts, Nashville, IN - Award of Merit 2011- Indiana Heritage Arts, Nashville, IN - Award of Merit 2010 - Indiana Heritage Arts, Nashville, IN - Award of Merit 2006 - Indiana Heritage Arts, Nashville, IN - Award of Excellence © 2012 Paint. Draw. Create © 2012 Robert J Krajecki © 2012 Dale L Popovich All rights reserve.
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