plate no. 0350
The Butcher
recreation guide
Honore Daumier’s 'The Butcher' is a work of Realist genre painting that depicts ordinary life with a critical eye toward class distinctions, a hallmark of his artistic practice (Source 2). While Daumier did not explicitly identify as a Realist, his work is characterized by a 'searching truthfulness' and a directness that avoids the romanticized idealization common in his contemporaries (Source 2). The artwork utilizes pencil and watercolor, mediums that allow for the rapid capture of character and atmosphere. Daumier often explored subjects repetitively to exhaust their thematic potential, suggesting that this piece may be part of a broader study of working-class figures or street scenes in Paris (Source 2). The genre of the work, depicting everyday activities of ordinary people, aligns with the tradition of 'petit genre' which focuses on familiar, often sentimental or critical, aspects of daily life (Source 4).
estimated time
20-30 hours over 5-7 sessions
materials
6 items
steps
5 in sequence
materials
| item | purpose | modern equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| High-quality watercolor paper (linen rag) | Support for the watercolor and pencil work; must be properly sized to prevent staining and absorbency issues. | Cold-pressed 100% cotton rag watercolor paper (e.g., Arches, Saunders Waterford) |
| Pencil (graphite or charcoal) | Underdrawing and initial sketching to establish form and gesture. | HB to 4B graphite pencils or vine charcoal |
| Watercolor paints (transparent washes) | Primary medium for color application, utilizing transparency and reserved lights. | Professional grade tube watercolors |
| Gouache or Body Colors (opaque watercolor) | For opaque highlights, corrections, and adding solidity where transparency is insufficient. | Gouache paint or white watercolor |
| Gum Arabic | Binding agent for pigments if grinding own colors, or to adjust viscosity. | Liquid gum arabic solution |
| Soft brushes (round and flat) | Applying washes and details. | Sable or synthetic watercolor brushes |
preparation
surface prep
The paper should be made from linen rags and bleached by natural means (water, air, sunshine) rather than chlorine, which can burn the linen and destroy colors (Source 1). The sizing must be evenly distributed within the paste, not just on the surface, to prevent the paper from becoming irregularly spongy and causing stains during prolonged work (Source 1). Ensure the paper is completely dry and has not suffered from dampness, which can cause the sizing to ferment and decompose (Source 1).
underdrawing
Daumier’s realistic approach suggests a strong initial drawing to capture the 'uncouthness' and directness of the subject (Source 2). Use pencil to establish the figure's posture and the butcher's tools. The drawing should be confident, as Daumier’s work is noted for its powerful directness rather than tentative sketching (Source 2). Leave the paper white for the lights, as is characteristic of watercolor technique where the support serves as the highlight (Source 1).
underpainting
Begin with transparent washes to establish the general tonal values and color harmonies. Daumier’s realism implies a truthful representation of light and shadow, so the underpainting should map out the light source and the volume of the figure and objects (Source 2). Use neutral tints initially if necessary, as early watercolorists often confined themselves to camaieu effects before building up color (Source 1).
color palette
Neutral Tints (Umbers, Siennas)
Burnt Umber, Raw Sienna, Yellow Ochre
General use in establishing shadows and mid-tones, consistent with the 'neutral tints' mentioned in historical watercolor practice (Source 1).
Flesh Tones
Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, White (Gouache)
The butcher's face and hands, requiring opacity for highlights.
Reds/Browns
Alizarin Crimson, Burnt Umber
Meat, apron, or background elements, providing contrast to the neutral tones.
Whites
Titanium White (Gouache)
Opaque highlights and corrections, utilizing body colors for solidity (Source 3).
composition
Daumier’s genre paintings often focus on the human figure in everyday settings, such as working people on the streets of Paris (Source 2). The composition likely emphasizes the butcher’s gesture and expression to convey the 'truthfulness' of the scene (Source 2). Avoid overly idealized poses; instead, capture the 'uncouthness' that Daumier embraced, similar to how Rembrandt’s roughness was accepted in his prints (Source 2). The arrangement should feel spontaneous yet structured, reflecting Daumier’s ability to exhaust a theme through repetitive exploration (Source 2).
step by step
underdrawing→underpainting→first pass→refining→finishing
underdrawing
step 01
Sketch the butcher’s figure and surroundings with pencil, focusing on gesture and proportion. Leave areas for highlights blank.
Tip — Ensure the drawing is firm enough to guide the washes but light enough to not show through the final layers.
Pencil sketching
underpainting
step 02
Apply thin, transparent washes to establish the basic color and value structure. Use neutral tints for shadows.
Tip — Allow each layer to dry completely before adding the next to prevent muddiness.
Transparent watercolor wash
first pass
step 03
Build up color intensity with additional transparent layers, focusing on the butcher’s clothing and the meat.
Tip — Maintain the transparency of the watercolor to preserve the luminosity of the paper.
Layering washes
refining
step 04
Introduce opaque body colors (gouache) for highlights and details where transparency is insufficient, such as on the butcher’s face or tools.
Tip — Use body colors sparingly to maintain the overall transparency of the work.
Body color application
finishing
step 05
Review the composition for balance and truthfulness. Add final details to enhance the realism and character of the scene.
Tip — Ensure the final image reflects Daumier’s critical yet realistic view of class distinctions.
Detailing
critical techniques
Transparent Washes
Used to build up color and value while preserving the white of the paper for highlights. This is the core of watercolor technique as described in Source 1.
Body Colors (Gouache)
Used for opaque highlights and corrections. Daumier’s use of pencil and watercolor likely involved mixing transparent and opaque techniques to achieve solidity and detail.
Realistic Observation
Daumier’s approach to realism was a 'second nature,' capturing the truth of the subject without idealization. This requires careful observation of the model or reference.
common pitfalls
- →Using paper that is improperly sized or bleached with chlorine, which can lead to staining and color destruction (Source 1).
- →Overworking the paper, which can wear out the surface sizing and cause the paper to become spongy and stained (Source 1).
- →Attempting to achieve too much opacity with transparent watercolors, leading to muddy colors. Use body colors for opacity instead (Source 3).
- →Idealizing the subject, which contradicts Daumier’s realistic and critical approach to genre painting (Source 2).
what the sources don't tell us
Where the corpus is silent, we say so rather than guess. These are the gaps a complete recreation guide would normally cover that our source passages don't.
- ·Specific color palette used by Daumier for 'The Butcher' is not detailed in the sources.
- ·Exact dimensions and aspect ratio of the original artwork are not provided.
- ·Specific preparatory sketches or studies for this particular piece are not described.
- ·The exact year of creation is not available, making it difficult to pinpoint the specific phase of Daumier’s career.
grounded in
The technical procedure in this guide traces to the following classical art-instruction texts.
The Science of Painting↗
- CHAPTER XIII. WATER COLOURS — applied to Paper preparation, sizing, and transparent wash techniques.
- CHAPTER XII. CRAYONS, DISTEMPERING, EGG-PAINTING, WATER — applied to Use of body colors and gouache for opacity.
cross-referenced from
Named facts about this artwork and artist were checked against these reference pages.
Wikipedia bio — Honore Daumier↗
- part 6 — applied to Daumier’s realistic style, critical view of class, and repetitive exploration of subjects.
Wikipedia: Genre painting↗
- Genre painting — part 1 — applied to Definition and characteristics of genre painting.
Read more about the corpus on the sources page and how the guides are built on the methods page.
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