More Test Patterns

As I mentioned in an earlier post I've been working on a series of small works partially inspired by color television test patterns - here's another batch that I've recently completed:







I also decided to use one of the small Test Patterns as a starting point for a larger piece. First I glued up and cut out a 8 x 8 x 1-3/8" laminated plywood panel and attached a ground of white bristol board. Then, using the smaller piece as a template I sketched out the composition on the larger panel, doubling the size of all of the elements of the original 4 x 4" piece.




Next I began the process of trying to replicate the various color elements using colored tissue paper, gouache, gesso, acrylic, oil pastel, and ink. This turned out to be a lot more difficult than I anticipated - how hard can it be to duplicate a color that's right in front of you? Pretty #*&@% difficult if you can't remember the various layers and combinations of media that you used in the first place.

The image below shows the first step in trying to duplicate the reddish bands that are at the top of the original piece. Once completed each color element was glued to the surface of the panel, pressed to dry, and the excess collaged material trimmed from the edges.


Here's the finished piece - I think I'm happy with how it turned out although I think I prefer the green field at the top and the red field at the bottom.

Yo La Tengo - From a Motel 6