During this summer break I had a chance to take a weekend trip to Venice. Mid August is probably not the best time of year to venture down the crowded streets but by avoiding the most touristy parts of town and staying out a bit later in the evening I still managed to capture plenty of beauty and art inspiration.
My first discovery was Ca’ del Sol, one of Venice’s authentic cooperatives of artisan mask and costume makers, and their amazing shop.
One could spend hours choosing amongst many traditional Carnevale masks and some modern ones, all made with the same precision and attention to detail, or pick a miniature version as a brooche or a keychain.
The Ca’ del Sol’s workshop is a few steps away, across the narrow canal bridge (seen outside the shop window) and you can also buy a blank mask to decorate yourself or sign up for a mask making course at the workshop.
When maestro is busy at the workshop, he will leave a note on the shop door prompting the customers to come fetch him - I did and picked these silver earrimgs that he wrapped (while chatting on the phone, complaining about the heat and humidity of August in Venice).
I took many pictures of the beautiful facades, doors and window shutters to extract a Venetian colour palette. In a local bookstore I discovered a collection of lovely bicolor graphic covers.
Every boutique in Venice has at least a hint of Carnevale in their shop window - and the windows of Murano glass shops are best admired after nightfall.
It’s always great to find some special, more arty postcards.
Try to draw a quick sketch before the ice on your aperol spritz melts…
… or pick up any of the beautiful books of Venetian sketches - here’s a flip through a gorgeous book of watercolours:
One last impression and one last colour palette 🎨
Thank you for sharing this stroll with me,
I hope you enjoyed it,
See you next time!