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Thank you for joining us as we explored the life and artistry of Wayne Thiebaud, a painter known for his vibrant and textured depictions of cakes, pies, and other desserts. His playful use of color, shadow, and form brings a unique, joyful energy to his work. In today’s class, you learned about his techniques and created your own Thiebaud-inspired dessert artwork.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Wayne Thiebaud’s Unique Style

Thiebaud combined elements of Pop Art and realism, using bold colors, thick paint application (impasto), and exaggerated shadows to make his sweets appear almost three-dimensional.

Color, Texture, and Composition

He used vibrant colors and often placed bright highlights around his objects to make them stand out. His textured brushstrokes created depth, making cakes look rich and creamy.

Creating Your Own Dessert Art

Using Thiebaud’s approach, you designed a dessert-themed artwork, focusing on bold outlines, layered colors, and playful compositions. You can continue refining your piece by adding details, highlights, and experimenting with different mediums.

Exploring More of Thiebaud’s Work

For more inspiration, explore Thiebaud’s famous pieces like Cakes (1963) and Three Machines (1963). Notice his technique of building form through color and contrast.

Interesting Articles and Websites about Wayne Thiebaud

Magazine covers for The New Yorker
California license plate
Great article from the Sactown Magazine, Wayne Thiebaud (The First 90 Years), by Martin Kuz
Wayne Thiebaud Obitutuary The NY Times
Artworks by year (not all artworks)
CBS Morning Interview on YouTube