Painter making some patterns - terrific! (5)
I believe the answer is:
ernst
'painter' is the definition.
(Max Ernst)
'some patterns terrific' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'ERNST' is hidden in the letters of 'patterns terrific'.
'making' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ernst that I've seen before include "artist's name" , "Young partner" , "Surrealist; stern (anag.)" , "He painted" , "Max -, twentieth century German Surrealist artist" .)