Sitting by the Canal

 Thud is a fun spot to sketch from. There are always people sitting and watching the activity in the canal. There aren’t a lot of spots where you can sit unless you want to sit at a table and eat or drink. This couple was there for a long time, and left just as I was almost finished painting them. Then I added in all the other details.

Spritz by the Canal

 There is a spot near the Rialto Bridge that has tables outside where you can have drinks and snacks. It overlooks a gondola service area. I was able to get a table up front and ordered a spritz to have while I sketched. The glass had an olive on a skewer that I took out and put on the table. As I was sketching a big seagull landed on the table, snatched the olive, and flew away with it.

Venice 2024 - Part 7 - Basilica delle Frari, Gondolas, More Gondolas, Orange Building

We had another rainy day in Venice. I headed over to the Basilica delle Frari which was about a 15 minute walk from us. The churches provide a lovely, dry place to visit. The Basilica delle Frari is a beautiful church with several lovely altars and off to the side a small room with a chapel and a wall sculpture by Toscano called the "Monumento a Frederico Corner." I used watercolor pencils, graphite, watercolors and ink in this sketch.

Later in the afternoon I went down to the Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge. I sketched this mostly in a continuous line, and then added a bit of watercolor wash.

I like sketching gondolas. Most of the ones that are parked are covered so you really can't see the intricate detail on the inside of the boats where the passengers sit. The uncovered ones usually have passengers and they don't stay put in one spot. I was sitting on one of the aqua alta platforms near the vaporetto stop. It was a little more comfortable than my stool and I had a place to rest my painting supplies.

Another day I went to the Accademia stop on the vaporetto. I headed for the Arcobaleno Pigmenti shop that I have stopped at on several of my trips to Venice. They have beautiful natural pigments that they sell to make paints from. In addition they have journals and sketchbooks, sealing wax, paintbrushes, and assorted other beautiful things. I always feel good when I stop there. I bought a new watercolor brush in a larger size that is the same brand that I bought there last year.

After shopping I walked a bit and found a wide piazza along the canal. I started this painting but only got about halfway done before it started raining again. I put it in my backpack, headed home, and then went back the next day to finish it.