As part of Medina Christian Academy’s Advanced Art program, students mix either black, white or gray acrylic paint into a color of their choice — and discover a myriad of hue variations. By adding white paint for tinting, gray paint for toning or black paint for shading, they’re creating monochromatic paintings that boast dynamic value.
“Knowing how to shade something and how to highlight something is very important,” says Catherine Martinez, a Medina Christian Academy art and upper school teacher. “We talk about that with all sorts of different medias.”
The monochromatic color project is one of Martinez’s favorite assignments to teach in Art 3, the most advanced general studio art class offered at Medina Christian’s upper school, which includes middle and high school grade levels.
“We’re looking at how one color can show different values, and it forces the students to think a little bit differently,” she says.
Medina Christian offers a wide range of art classes for students, including the foundational Art 1 class. Art 2 and 3 make up its Advanced Art program. Any high school students who have completed Art 1 and 2 are eligible to take Art 3 — from those planning a collegiate art career to those who simply enjoy creativity
“I had one student a few years ago. He took Art 2 and Art 3,” Martinez recalls. “He enjoyed the atmosphere of the studio and the break from the academic rigor of the day.”
Students in Martinez’s classes gain valuable skills, including experience participating in artistic critiques. She begins familiarizing them with the process in seventh grade.
“It’s hard to hear criticism. It’s hard to give it sometimes. But as an artist myself, I feel like it’s very important to hear how your art is perceived by your audience,” she says.
Other Art 3 projects include color symbolism paintings and charcoal self-portraits. For the charcoal project, students write six-word memoirs and participate in a photo shoot to gain inspiration for the workshopped project.
“The students really have to take their time, to be patient with themselves, to take criticism from their peers and from me to be able to grow,” Martinez says.
The project often teaches students to view themselves differently.
“Having to really study your own features, and figure out the nuances … it’s really interesting,” she relates. “It is a lot of self-reflection and learning about how to look at yourself with grace.”
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