The Silver Line

Wiehle Avenue - Reston East Station

Today was the opening day for phase 1 of Metro's Silver Line. I live within walking distance of the last station, Wiehle Avenue - Reston East, so I walked over to sketch the opening day festivities. There were a lot of people there to ride the first train - I had to wait in a long line outside the station. But I eventually got on board in the second car, and rode the first train in through Tysons to East Falls Church, where the new tracks join the rest of the system. Riders cheered when the train started moving, and some even sang Silver Line songs they made up to the tunes of Christmas carols.

Riders on the very first Silver Line Train

I briefly met up with some folks from Greater Greater Washington who were touring the new stations, but lost track of the group while I stopped to sketch.

Spring Hill Station

I grew up in the outer suburbs, and have been waiting for this line to open for years. Now I can ride all the way in to DC without getting in my car, so this is an exciting day.

Crane at Wiehle Avenue

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It's been too long since I posted on our Urban Sketchers DC blog. At last here are a few recent sketches from trips on the metro and waiting rooms. I am looking forward to the sketch crawl at Artomatic 2012 in Crystal City this Saturday!

Metro Red Line Riders

This week I worked as a volunteer at Pyramid Atlantic Studios in Silver Spring MD and rode the metro so I would have a better chance to sketch each day and get there without stress of driving the car. I only had three stops on the red line from mine to get something and managed to capture a few interesting quick sketches.

hounds tooth pattern on her coat with a black scarf

bumpy ride gave her a look of anger on the phone

I was pleased to capture his whole figure

checking emails

travelers on their way home for Thanksgiving 

all stretched out on the train

RI Metro Trail Sketchcrawl

Atop'a Train

Behind Bars

Tracks

Since my time at VCU in Richmond VA I have always found trains and the track system as a source of inspiration. Sounds, repetitions, speed and momentum.



ORANGE CONES
Charcoal and Chalk on Paper



GRAFFITO
Charcoal and Chalk on Paper



TRAX
Charcoal and Chalk on Paper


When it rains...it pours.

Two men enjoying quiet time, one on the Metro, and another at Pound Coffee

Solo commuters on the Blue line toward Largo

Sometimes I make notes of how long I spent on the sketch, and what metro I'm on (BL = blue line). Both of these were done in three stops, but on two separate days in October, 2010.

Two women commuting

I drew these two women on the way home on two separate occasions -- the younger woman on the metro, and the older on the bus.

Colorized sketches

East Indian man in a business suit June 3rd 2010

High Schooler reading NYT June 11th 2010

I have been a urban sketcher on DC's metro for a number of years. I enjoy drawing bumps and all, to fill the time 'on off peak hour' trips around town. I use a fountain pen and hand made pocket sized sketch book which travels easily. After studying my friend  Michael Nobb's illustrations. I figured he must be using the flat colors in Adobe Photoshop to color his pen drawings and I was interested to give it a try on these two metro rider sketches. It is fun to add a cartoon look to my sketches but not something I would do with most of my work because it takes a lot of time at the computer.