Masterpiece: Three Machines
By Wayne Thiebaud
Pronounced: TEE-bo
Keywords: Texture, Shape, Repetition
Medium: Oil on canvas 30 x 36 1/2
Grade: Kindergarten
Month: January
Activity: Collage
Meet the Artist
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He was born in Mesa, Arizona in 1920.
As a young man, he worked in an ice cream and hot dog café. These items
gave him inspiration for his future paintings.
He drew comic strips and was once an animator for the Walt Disney Studios.
He worked as a sign painter, cartoonist, commercial artist, illustrator,
designer and publicity manager.
He served in the Air Force and painted murals for the Army.
He taught art at several colleges in California.
He is considered a Pop Artist. He uses really thick paint bold colors and
distinct shadows in his work. His paintings portray realistic everyday
images, especially production line food found in diners, usually sweet,
creamy cakes and pastries.
He still lives and works in California.
He considered himself a painter, not an artist.
Possible Questions:
o Is there repetition in this painting?
o What shapes do you see?
o What do you think the gumball machines would feel like if you could touch
them?
o How does this make you feel? Hungry? Thirsty? Happy?
o How are these gumball machines different from real gumball machines?
How are they the same?
Masterpiece: Three Machines
By Wayne Thiebaud
Activity: Gumball Machine Collage
Materials Needed:
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9x12 Black construction paper
Copies of gumball machine templates
Paints
Paint brushes
Paint trays
Water cups for dipping paint brushes
Scissors
Glue
Foil for gumball machine spout(these should be pre-cut to save on time)
Painted wooden beads for gumballs
Large butcher paper for covering tables and easy clean up
Options:
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3 Machines option on 12x18 Black Construction Paper and use of 12x18 gumball
machine template.
3D option- you may use white styro- foam or paper bowls,
or just use 3D gumball machine template.
Project:
NOTE: Painting projects request you prepare in advance. PLEASE make
sure you have given yourself plenty of time to gather all the proper materials
like copies, any cutting, or set up that needs to be done.
1. Have all the students put their names and teachers name with a white crayon, on the
front bottom portion of the black construction paper before starting.
2. Remind the class they need to follow your directions and not to proceed
until you have told them so.
3. Have the students take the gumball template and cut out the globe portion and set aside.
4. Now have students pick red, blue, or yellow for their gumball machine. They may than start
to paint the base and top portions of the template. When they are done have them set
aside to dry some.
5. The students may now cut out the base and top to the gumball machine. Instruct students
to only glue the following items in the order you tell them!
Project Cont.
6. Have students glue base to black construction paper, than glue globe on top of base, glue top
together and paste on to the top of globe. Next paste on the foil spout to the middle of
the base.
7. Now that the gumball machine is assembled on the construction paper, the students may
take their wood beads and start gluing to the bottom portion of the globe, until they have
glued gumballs half way up the globe.
8. Modge Podge (goes on white, drys clear) is provided to give the gumballs a realistic gumball
sheen. It is best to use a small amount on a palette and if the student needs a little more
than pour a bit more. It is best not to be wasteful of this item since we have other classes
that will need to utilize this product. ;)
9. Start your clean up. If art work needs time to dry, set aside.
10. Please return and display their colorful art projects!!! You also may collect Art Work after
it has been displayed for an End of Year Portfolio. 
Single Gumball MachineOn 9x12 Black Construction Paper
3 MachinesOn 12x18 Black Construction Paper
3-D Gumball Machine