Venice 2024 - Part 5 - Rio Frari, Rio San Trovaso, Kiosk in the Square, Saint Mark's Cathedral

One damp morning I headed out and found a small restaurant, Rio Frari. I decided to stop and have a cappuccino and a croissant while I sketched the view. I included the only other patron sitting outside. After he left the waiter noticed I was sketching and came over a few times to check on my progress. When I was finished he took the sketch inside to show the other workers. 

This day I headed over by Rio San Trovaso and sketched there. A young woman came over and asked if I spoke English. She wanted to know where I got my painting stool. She was looking for something to use when she goes plein air painting that is light to carry. We had a big discussion about plein air work and I let her check out my stool. It turned out that she was from Philadelphia. I told her about Urban Sketchers (which was new to her) and that I had sketched with the Philly group once.

This kiosk was in the square by our apartment. I'm always amazed that they have an assortment of things for sale, including clothing. This one had a selection of winter coats. lol

I had to do a sketch of Saint Marks from the square. My plan was to sit in the middle of the square on my stool, but as soon as I set myself up, two police officers came over and very nicely told me that I couldn't sit there. It would be unsafe to sit there with the crowds. So I walked around looking for a place to be out of the way and still have a view. I found a small ledge to sit on near a construction fence. I tucked myself away in the corner. The sketch had to be a close-up since I was practically on top of the cathedral, so I included the top section only. I did get to use some of my antique gold paint on the spires and wings of the angels. This took quite a while to sketch and paint with all the details.