I like going back to the older Live Lessons and giving them a try when they fit into my schedule. I just finished the TRAIN and really enjoyed doing it. It looks difficult, but the way Matt walks you through the process, I found it very doable. One thing I did differently is that I used “Ink” for the “wash” instead of watercolors. Terri Robichon
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Wonderful job Terri. I love the reflection of the lights.
Patricia.
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Beautiful. All the figures and colors are so good!
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Thanks. I was hesitant to try this one because it looked really complex. Then I was talking to my cousin’s wife who I found out is a member. She said she had done the train. That inspired me to give it a try. It was really very fun and I liked the bright red and yellow.
Terri Robichon
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This is wonderful! Good job.
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Thanks Denise. It’s amazing what you can do if you just jump in and give it a try.
Terri Robichon
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I couldn’t agree more. Well said!
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Terri,
As all of your watercolor artwork another superb piece. Amazing details. I so want to learn how to paint with watercolors. I have a multitude of pieces in a box under my bed not fit for any other human eye!!
Terri
Thanks for sharing this with us. Do you have any suggestions on how to make really straight lines for masts and rigging on sailboats? I have very unsteady hands and at times poor coordination jumps right in. I have a colored ink drawing of a lit-up dock with multiple sailboats on black paper. The masts and rigging lines could make or break the piece which is small on a 5x7 card. Always up for suggestions!!! 
Teri
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Hi Teri -
I just want to clarify that in my drawing of the train, I painted the colors with liquid ink, instead of watercolors. They actually act a lot alike in this application.
What I would suggest for the straight lines for masts, etc. is to use a ruler to lightly draw them with a pencil, and then draw on top of your pencil lines for the final drawing. Practice on scrap paper to get the feel of it. Matt suggests using broken lines if the line you are drawing is long, and I agree that is a good technique. Don’t draw a long line by turning your wrist - instead move your entire hand keeping your wrist straight in a fixed position. Hope that makes sense.
Terri Robichon
Terri,
Thank you! This makes perfect sense! I like to use ink and watercolor together and after Tim’s artwork and going to give a try at colored inks and colored pencils.
Inks are so much fun, and I need color in my life!! Thanks again!
Teri
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Wow. I can’t believe the control you have with watercolor. I have looked at that lesson many times but never had had the courage to try it. This is so beautiful!
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Hi June -
Thanks so much for the kind words. Just to clarify, for this project I decided to substitute colored ink instead of the watercolors. They act and look a lot alike. The reason I have control of ink and/or watercolors I apply wet on dry (meaning the paper is dry when I apply the color). You should give this lesson a try. I also thought it looked really difficult, but because it was more free-hand and less photo-realistic it was a lot easier than I guessed it would be. And that comment applies to both the line drawing and the “wash” application.
I will admit however that from all the floor plan sketching I did as a commercial interior designer / office space planner I have developed a very steady hand over the years. It just goes back to the fact that the more you do something, the better you will get.
Terri Robichon
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Really beautiful scene! The reflections on the ground 
Brilliant!
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For inking lines, I second what @robichon said. Following a guide like a ruler or the straight edge of paper is extremely helpful. And if you don’t want the lines to be perfectly straight, you can freehand over the pencil marks you made for a more hand-drawn look. Also, breaks in the inks/broken lines are useful in ANY kind of lines, not just straight ones! In the attached photo, it looks I may have done this for Sonic’s hair, his eyebrow has it some. 
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Great job! This is one I’ve wanted to try as I’m very interested in urban sketching for traveling. But you’re right / it does look complex.
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Thank you MustardSeedLife. I will post it when I finish it. You are always so encouraging!!
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You’re welcome @TLP ! I look forward to seeing it! 
