Venice (wip)

[Grapes]

Based on my own photos on the location I've been working on this painting.

Oil on canvas, 41x46 cm.
I'm working now on the front area: condolas, blue tarpaulins, wooden sticks, water. All those need more work.
The front area has too much paint, it's almost impossible to paint on it anymore so maybe I let it rest & dry and give it an octopus bone treatment (similar to sandpaper).

C&C welcome

 

[Artyczar]

Gorgeous!!!

 

[Grapes]

Thank you, Arty!

 

[Joy]

Beautifully composed and great color harmony. I have never tried oils, so this is impressive.

 

[Grapes]

Thanks Joy. Oils are fun.

 

[Donna T]

Wow, that sky! I’ve never been to Venice but I’ve seen many interpretations of this view and yours is beautiful! The octopus bone is new to me. Is it only used for oil paintings?

 

[Grapes]

Yes, oils. When you have too much dry paint on some area of the painting you can remove it with the bone and your surface is paintable again.
I could so the same with sand paper but when there's lots of dry paint piled up best result comes with octopus bone. I have collected them from the beaches in Spain but you can find them in any pet supply store where they are meant for birds. Thanks, Donna!

 

[Donna T]

That’s so interesting - thanks Grapes. Now I’m curious about why the bones would be abrasive. I will definitely try to find one as long as the octopus doesn’t need it anymore.

 

[Grapes]

It's an amazing tool. I believe the old masters used it as it has been found in x-ray tests. The bone takes excess paint off kindly and softly leaving remaining surface even and so possible to paint.

 

[Grapes]

The bones are laying all around at the beach from the dead octopus/sepia.

 

[Sanlynn]

Beautiful painting! I have not tried oils either.

 

[Sanlynn]

Beautiful painting, love the colours.
I wasn’t aware octopus had bones?

 

[Terri]

Beautiful painting, love the colours.
I wasn’t aware octopus had bones?

Similar to soft cartilage, maybe?

Beautiful treatment of the water, Grapes - and all your blues are gorgeous. Love it!!

 

[snoball]

This is very nice and very interesting.

 

[Grapes]

Sanlynn, thank you for your comment! Here's what they look like https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuttlebone

 

[Grapes]

Well, they call it cuttlefish..is it an octopus ?
Sorry, I'm not very familiar with the warm sea fauna as mostly I meet brown bears and reindeer here where I'm now .

 

[Grapes]

Terri, thank you!
Sno, thanks so much!

 

[Grapes]

There it says:
In the past, cuttlebones were ground up to make polishing powder, which was used by goldsmiths. /Wikipedia link above

 

[Jo Castillo]

Your painting is beautiful and I'm learning a lot. I'm so stingy with my oil paints it is never too thick. Ha. Outstanding work.

 

[Grapes]

Thank you, Jo!