Night Train. Painting #24. A Haunting Railroad Oil Painting

“Talent is a pursued interest. Anything you’re willing to practice, you can do.” – Bob Ross

Night Train is my 24th painting overall—and my fourth commission, for those keeping count. This one came with a twist. It was a haunting railroad scene turned into an oil painting.

The Inspiration

A friend of the person who bought my very first painting reached out. They had a photo on their phone—moody, mist laced train tracks at nigh under a pink rising moon—and asked if I could paint it. I hesitated at first. It wasn’t my usual style, but the haunting atmosphere pulled at me. After sitting with it and imagining how I’d approach it using my techniques, I decided to give it a shot.

The original reference was a phone snapshot—something nearly lost to cloud clutter. Since it was a commission, I asked for a deposit upfront—one lesson I learned the hard way. Looking back now, this piece became something more than a commission, it became a blueprint for my first haunting railroad oil painting.

Making it Mine

Things came together surprisingly well. The color mixing, the pink undertones in the eerie sky, the sharp, receding lines of the track—it all felt satisfying and deliberate. I enjoyed the challenge of building a believable sense of space, depth, and something just a little unsettling. Not only was it fun to solve, but it reminded me why I paint in the first place. I wouldn’t normally label my work as “haunting,” but there’s no better way to describe this particular railroad oil painting.

I’ll say it. This one turned out great. The client thought so too. In fact, they came back later and asked for another piece. That kind of response makes happy feelings in your heart while earning a happy buck.

Lesson learned here. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. When they work, it’s a real confidence boost! You’re more capable than you think.

Final Thoughts

Bob always said that every painting teaches you something. Whether it’s a masterpiece or a failure. You learn and grow. I learned a lot from this painting. Every painting in this blog has a lesson with it and every lesson is part of my painting journey. Night Train might not be for sale, but it absolutely has a stop on the journey.

If this piece struck a chord—or just left you wondering where those train tracks lead—you can explore more of my work in the gallery, read more behind-the-brush reflections on the blog, or check out what’s currently available in my Etsy shop. For all the socials including FB, IG, YouTube, Twitch and more: Linktree.

Have thoughts on Night Train? Drop a comment—I always enjoy hearing how these pieces land outside the studio.

Until next time, Happy Painting.