Color Test Cards

When I’m working on a painting I’m almost always putting my brush into jars with at least *a few* layers of dried paint on the sides. (I’ll toss them when they get too thick, or turn them into strictly water jars) 

Jars like this can make seeing the true color of the paint rather difficult. Similarly, (depending on the shape of the jar) I’m not really able to tell the strength of the pigment merely by looking in.  

So, I rely on my test palette cards to tell me what’s really going on in there. 

Each painting usually has 3-4 cards that accompany the piece, testing the colors, viscosity, and translucency of the paint as I’m working. Occasionally I’ll use them to try out certain layering effects before putting the paint on canvas. Or to wipe off a pencil tip or brush top. These 5 x 7s are random essences of the larger work. 

Most of them are only that, random odd marks that will get recycled into a collage piece or turned into a folded card, but every so often I get a few that turn out rather interesting.

After featuring a large collection of these in my summer show, Color & Contour at StudioStudio last year, I’ve decided to release a few of the more interesting versions for purchase. They will be mostly made in tandem with the work that month, though you may see a few older favorites (with some new washes) pop up here and there.

When I have a new set to release I’ll send them out first in the monthly email so sign up here to make sure you’re on the list.

(But here’s a sneak peak at the first 4!)