One challenge with oil paintings is that it is really hard to get a feel for the painting from a photograph. The problem is that, all too often, the photograph omits the essential characteristics of the paint that make the piece successful.

I was reminded of this fact when viewing a piece by Wayne Thiebaud the Cantor Art Center at Stanford University. It’s an oil painting called Lunch Table, produced in 1964. The painting is fairly large, about 36″ x 58″, but seems unremarkable in this image.

It is only when you step up close, that you see the piece is made from outrageously thick, voluptuous layers of glossy paint that looks like frosting. This rich paint surface is a hallmark of Wayne Thiebaud, but without seeing a closeup, one might think the work is only about geometric patterns and color and repetition.