Who stole the Countess' Painting? (spoiler)

[Indianasmith]

The Countess of Chorrol has asked me to recover a stolen painting of her lost love. I suspect the Redguard maiden of taking it, because she has suspicious painting supplies hidden in her room, and her story about looking at the stars that night doesn't jive with the other witnesses accounts that it was pouring rain. But when I accused her, she said that I didn't have enough evidence, and my journal says I need to gather more clues. Where should I go next> What is the missing clue?

[Dowaco]

Spoiler
Take a stroll through the public parts of the castle especially the dining room. Other clues related to paint are out in the open.
That should be enough to point to the guilty party.

[mamaduck]

I have discovered the art supplies, the painting and the bogus story about the stars but on accusation I get an insufficient proof message. What am I missing? Help please.

[Belthan]

Know how you feel. Drove me to tears. From my perspective, the "observing stars" alibi on a night that impartial witnesses said it was raining cats & dogs, case closed. But still wouldn't let me accuse. Not good enough. Aaugghhh!

That said, you really wanna know? You'll cuss when you read the answer for not finding it yourself. I know I did. Hint: look down. Everywhere. OK, I'm a jerk, here's the answer:

SPOILER: In the dining room there's a paint stain on the carpet at the end of the table.

[Fljotsdale]

Don't feel bad about it! I think most of us had to have our noses rubbed in that bit of evidence before we saw it.

[fluidrnr]

ive done all three and still nohing went to countess and to chanel as well as the others and cant find the missing facter

[cyrodillsruler2]

did you just go to the countess if so you have to accuse chanel to her face o and did you interagate them first, after interigatin'em ounce you fand the clues you can then activate them and a little blog thingy will pop up ounce all that has happened then confront her

[Salidin54]

In the west tower (near chanel's room) there is a trapdoor behind some crates. Go through the trapdoor and look behind the large stack of crates to find an unusual painting walk up to it and, well, the rest is up to you

[MalakSaesmus]

Well, its already said its a spoiler, so I can point out the locations:

1., clue ~ Chanel's room the box on the table with painting tools
2., clue ~ West Tower, behind the boxes a trapdoor leading down, check the painting there
3., clue ~ the kitchen, check the farthest corner of the carpet, from the door

You can't miss it, its a big colorful stain.
The most difficult part was in where to look first tho. I sniffed thru the whole castle at first when I found it.

Okay, you can go and accuse Chanel for taking the painting from the Countess.

Mission completed

[Aylied_King]

ok i had the very same problem.... SPOILER!_______you need to boost her disposition...then she will confess... then you turn her in.

[Claudius]

Just for the records I am posting. According to the Oblivion wiki some users have reported that if they find the hidden paint supplies as there first clue before the hidden painting causes a glitch:

"The quest is glitched if you pick up the painting tools before finding the concealed painting in the west tower. You can fix this by talking to Chanel once you have all of the evidence."