Wayne Thiebaud Cake Art Project Cake Painting Art Lesson Art History Art Lesson

In this Wayne Thiebaud Cake on a Stand Art Project, students create a cake on a stand inspired by Wayne Thiebaud, with strong shadows, colorful paint, rich outlines and a dramatic dessert composition. The finished work has the bold Thiebaud look: bright color contrasts, painterly marks and a subject students are instantly drawn to.

It is a good fit for older students, with a more polished composition and a process that stays clear and manageable. The lesson brings together artist study, painting and expressive line, and it is written for teachers, art teachers and homeschoolers.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE PDF)

• 1 Cover Page
• 1 About the Resource Page
• 1 Critical Thinking Questions Page
• 3 Lesson Plan Pages
• 1 Wayne Thiebaud Poem Hook Page
• 1 Student Reading Page about Wayne Thiebaud
• 1 Color Poster Sample Page
• 1 Rubric Page
• 1 How-to Draw: Thiebaud Cake Page
• 1 KWL Chart Page
• 2 The Message Reflection Pages
• 1 Analyze: Elements and Principles Reflection Page
• 1 Compare and Contrast Page
• 1 Questions and Wonders Page
• 1 Goal Setting Page
• 1 Artwork Reflection Page
• 1 Peer Feedback Page
• Artist’s Statement Pages
• 1 Full-Page Example Artwork Page
• PDF step-by-step tutorial with visual and text directions for the cake slice opening, cake stand, frosting, shadows, berry filling and layered color

WHAT STUDENTS LEARN

The poem hook and student reading page introduce Thiebaud’s colorful style and the way he turned everyday desserts into striking paintings, including his rich paint application, shadows, light and joyful energy. Students connect their own work to a real artist and a recognizable style.

The finished cakes, with blue shadows, creamy frosting, a colorful berry top and bold outlines, stand out on bulletin boards, in hallways or in an art show.

FAQ

What materials are used?

Oil pastels, acrylic paint, card stock or thicker paper, paint brushes and water. Tempera paint is noted as an option.

Does it include information about the artist?

Yes. It includes a Wayne Thiebaud poem hook and a student reading page about Wayne Thiebaud.

Does it include reflection or assessment pages?

Yes. It includes a rubric, KWL chart, reflection pages, peer feedback, goal setting, artist statement pages and more.

Is it editable?

No. It is a non-editable PDF.

ALL TEACHER REVIEWS

★★★ “Great resource. Students loved it, easy to implement.” Shawna J.

Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist who has been featured on NBC LX News and was the featured cover educator in OCO Magazine (October 2025). She designs art lessons for kids and educational resources for teachers, art teachers and homeschoolers. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

TERMS OF USE

Images and lessons are copyright products.

YOU MAY: use this resource as a single educator. Additional licenses are available if more than one teacher will use it.

YOU MAY NOT: share, copy, upload, post online, distribute or resell this resource in any form.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic