“Ok artists, let’s get started,” says teaching artist Daniel Mantilla. Two volunteers finish placing paints, palettes, paper, brushes and other supplies at each work station as a dozen students trickle into the High Museum’s Red Workshop for the Introduction to Painting: Color Theory and Mixing Class. They pick a primary color, a large flat brush and await directions.
Teaching artists like Mantilla – who has 10+ years of teaching experience and has had paintings, collages and cutouts exhibited globally – guide students of all skill levels through four-week drawing, painting and fiber arts classes at the High Museum.
“It’s not lecture based,” Mantilla says. “It’s all about discovery. We mix colors and compose with them.”
Mantilla explains how to spread the color and hold the brush. “See how thin you can make a line, press down for a wider line, make spirals,” he encourages.
Next, students mix secondary colors, oranges and purples, to add to their color card collection. They agree orange was easier to mix than the more translucent purple. Mantilla says that’s why it’s a better background color. They add a secondary color to their abstract warm-up composition followed by show-and-tell.
“Already our voice is evident on the page,” Nancy says. “I love the permission to play with the brush.” Students notice that a dry brush makes a lighter color and how adding water or more paint changes the color.
They place their color cards on a table, laughing at the metaphor, and work as a team to build a color wheel.
Table talk during painting exercises is also welcome. Conversations range from Kathy’s and Jennifer’s grandchildren, Kik’s upcoming stand-up at Dad’s Garage and favorite travel destinations.
“I like the connections that happen,” Mantilla says. “For people to build community here.”
He also encourages them to continue making art outside of class. During the four-week class, they can access open studio time on Friday afternoons, complete with ample art supplies and volunteer support. It’s a chance to finish a class exercise, practice new skills or just play.
Week 3, Mantilla brings the class to the Kim Chong Hak, Painter of Seoraksan exhibition, armed with color cards, colored pencils and paper to examine the hues in Kim’s works. Small groups decipher mixed colors, stop, sketch and seek inspiration for their final project.
“To do a color exercise in front of actual paintings; it sets us apart,” Mantilla says.
The last week students paint an abstract or observational composition on 16×20 stretched canvases using their own color palette; a culmination of the scaffolded instruction.
Mantilla circulates to provide one-on-one guidance. He describes how to paint a bright cadmium red flower by diluting the first layer with a lot of white paint, then decreasing the white paint in subsequent layers. A rare moment of quiet envelops the room as students focus on their canvas and Kathy passes around chocolate covered pretzels for energy.
For a muddy brown hue, a student refers to the color mixing guide that Carmen made at home; a piece of art in itself.
“I rediscovered my creative side during the pandemic,” says Carmen, a Spanish teacher who studied graphic design in college.
As Mantilla hangs up the students’ compositions, he asks. ”What catches your eye in someone else’s work?”
“The two on the end almost look like companions, color palette and movement-wise,” Kik says. “We are!,” answer Kathy and Jennifer. More laughs.
Marilyn has to leave before her nuanced sunflower painting dries. It’s ok to pick it up next week, Mantilla says. “Good, I like telling my friends I have a painting at the High,” Marilyn giggles.
Artists pose for a group photo, excited to keep painting and see what other courses are offered this fall.
“I tried to bring energy to the class and you brought it too – thank you,” Mantilla says. “Keep building your skill set and keep making art.”
“What I got out of this [class] is that I can do this and I can go forward,” Jennifer says.
Check out fall course offerings here. Registration fee includes materials, expert instruction, museum access and Friday open studio. Woodruff Arts Center garage parking is free for members.
