plate no. 0350
The Butcher
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, capturing light and shadow with watercolor washes, and creating a sense of depth using tonal variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures with pencil, focusing on proportions and composition.
- step 02
Outline the main shapes with a fine brush and a diluted brown or black watercolor.
- step 03
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre or raw sienna to the entire paper as a base tone.
- step 04
Start building up the shadows with diluted burnt umber and Payne's gray, focusing on the butcher, the meat, and the background.
- step 05
Add details to the butcher's face and clothing, using darker tones to define features and folds.
- step 06
Paint the background figures with very light washes, keeping them soft and indistinct.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights with a fine brush, using white or light yellow to accentuate the light.
- step 08
Review the painting and adjust the values as needed to create a cohesive and balanced composition.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · Payne's gray
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black
Mix burnt umber and Payne's gray for deep shadows. Dilute raw sienna with water for light washes. Use yellow ochre sparingly for highlights.
techniques
- ·watercolor washes
- ·dry brushing
- ·figure drawing
- ·tonal shading
- ·line and wash
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Using too much water and losing control of the washes
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure
- →Inaccurate proportions in figure drawing
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper
- ·watercolor paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·pencil
- ·eraser
- ·water container
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·masking fluid
- ·ruler
Use good quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.
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