A pilot and a crew member visited my tent at the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Foley, AL last year.  They asked if I could draw their two championship balloons - "In Their Honor" and "No Boundaries".  They gave me 2 baseball card sized pictures -- luckily I had my camera along so I could take up-close pictures.  I asked them what kind of background they would like, and they said they'd leave that up to me.  I chose the Black Forest in Germany, so the colors of the balloons would be more vibrant.  I constantly ran out of green crayons...who would ever think the "Black" Forest would be that green?  This is an early morning approach with the sun coming up on the left-side of the picture.  
 
I thought in the beginning that balloons would be an easier picture to do.  In the research phase, however, I learned about the construction of the balloons, and that navigating isn't as easy as it looks.  There are hundreds of different designs - check out balloon festivals.  You'll be amazed!  It takes a special crew and pilot to maneuver these great air ships.