It will help to have a photograph of a train tunnel to look at as you paint.
A railroad tunnel makes a fascinating focal-point of any wall. This type of mural is appropriate for a child's toy room or bedroom. As in the case of just about any architectural, man-made structure, you must first draw a railroad tunnel before you can paint one. This will keep your lines clean and straight and your painting free from errors.
Instructions
1. Pick a point in the center of the tunnel. This point, called the "vanishing point," is the point in the distance where the railroad tracks seem to disappear. Draw two sets of diagonal lines beginning at the base of the wall on either side of you, converging into the vanishing point.
2. Draw an arch over the point where the two lines converge. Each side of the arch should fall just below the vanishing point in the center. This is the far end of the train tunnel. Draw a second arch over the first arch. Bring the base lines of this arch down to a point just above where the train tracks end, at the bottom of the wall. Draw a straight line that connects the bottom left point of the smaller arch to the bottom left point of the larger arch. Draw a straight line that connects the bottom right point of the smaller arch to the bottom right point of the larger arch.
3. Draw a series of horizontal lines intersecting with the diagonal lines of the railroad tracks. These horizontal lines represent the railroad ties. Start at the base of the railroad tracks and move upward toward the vanishing point. The railroad ties should appear to get closer and closer together, as they move toward the vanishing point.
4. Lay down tarps beneath the area where you will be painting. Tape any edges you may wish to protect from paint.
5. Paint the interior walls and floor of the train tunnel black. Use a thick flat brush to paint the edges and a paint roller for large areas of flat color. Depending on how large the scene is that you've painted on the wall, use of a paint roller may or may not be justified.
6. Paint the exterior of the train tunnel gray.
7. Paint over the lines that represent the rails of the railroad tracks in a shade of gray.
8. Paint over the lines that represent the railroad ties in a brown color. The ties should appear to become thicker as they get closer in perspective.
9. Paint the ground in front and behind the train tunnel green.
10. Paint details to the scene as necessary. You may wish to add stones to the exterior of the train tunnel or grass in the green ground. Use a smaller brush for the details.
