Lena Rivera
Bob Ross is known for his iconic art style and unique wet-on-wet painting technique. While Ross primarily used oil-based paints, some of his followers opt for acrylics to save money. Ross's paint brand is formulated for the wet-on-wet technique, but other brands can be used. Ross's liquid white paint, a key component of his technique, has been a topic of discussion among artists, with some noting that it contains linseed oil and others stating that it contains safflower oil.
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What You'll Learn
Bob Ross's paint is oil-based
Bob Ross's oil paints are made with pure refined linseed oil, which gives them superb handling properties and allows for true mixes without surprises. The paint is designed to be used with brushes or palette knives and is perfect for artists on a budget, as well as for Alla Prima painting and Plein Air painting.
In addition to linseed oil, Bob Ross is also known to have used safflower oil in his painting. When he left Alexander Magic Art (now Alexander Art), he used a mixture of titanium white, safflower oil, and a thinner to create his "Liquid White" paint. This paint is used to grease the canvas before applying the oil paint, and it can take weeks to dry. While some people may have strong opinions about this method, there is no technical reason to avoid it as long as you use the right amount of linseed or stand oil.
The Bob Ross brand of oil paints has received mixed reviews. Some people like the paints and find them to be of good quality, while others find them overpriced and mediocre. There have also been mentions of the formula being changed to make the paints stiffer, which some artists may not prefer. However, the Bob Ross paint brand is still recommended for his wet-on-wet technique, as it is specially manufactured for this purpose and can easily achieve his colours.
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Bob Ross used linseed oil
Bob Ross's paintings are oil-based. The artist was known for using the wet-on-wet technique, which involves applying oil paint to a canvas that has been coated with liquid white. To create this base, Ross would mix titanium white with linseed oil and a paint thinner. This mixture can be recreated with simple Georgian paints, such as those sold at Walmart.
Ross's paintings often featured over ten colours, and his licensed oil paints can be expensive, with each colour costing around $11. However, cheaper alternatives are available. For example, brands such as Liquitex and Artist's Loft offer acrylic paints in matching colours for around $7 less per colour.
While it is possible to achieve similar results using other brands of paint, the Bob Ross brand is recommended for his wet-on-wet technique. This is because the paints are specially manufactured for this technique, making it easier to achieve the colours Ross used.
Some people have expressed that they do not like the stiffness of the Bob Ross brand paints. However, this stiffness is characteristic of oil paints, and other stiff paints will also work well for the wet-on-wet technique.
It is worth noting that while Ross used linseed oil in his paint mixtures, some have cautioned against using too much of this substance, as it can cause the canvas to become overly greasy.
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Bob Ross used safflower oil
Bob Ross's paintings are oil-based. He used a wet-on-wet technique, blending titanium white with different oil-based paint colours on a liquid white base-coated wet canvas. He would also mix oil paint with paint thinner or linseed oil to thin the paint.
Bob Ross's liquid white paint was made from titanium white, safflower oil, and a thinner. This combination is similar to Bill Alexander's Magic White, which was made from titanium white, fine quality safflower oil, and a thinner. Bob Ross used a similar mix when he left Alexander's company.
Some people have tried to recreate Bob Ross's liquid white paint by mixing titanium white and linseed oil, but this may not produce the same results. Bob Ross's paint was stiff, and one source suggests that the key to achieving his iconic art style is to use oil paints.
While it is possible to use acrylic paints to achieve similar results, the drying time will be different. To make acrylics act like oils, a slow-drying medium can be used. However, this may not be necessary when using Bob Ross's liquid white paint, as some sources claim that it does not grease the canvas and has a similar drying time to normal oil paints.
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Bob Ross's paint brand is expensive
The Bob Ross Master Paint Set, which includes oil colours, various brushes, a landscape knife, and a DVD, is priced at over $800. While this may be costly, it is designed to provide the best results for those wanting to paint like Bob Ross. The set's oil colours are richly pigmented, with a soft and smooth consistency, contributing to the higher price.
Bob Ross's paint brand also includes a range of painting knives, made to his precise specifications. These knives are over 8" in length, with blades that are approximately 2" wide. The professional-quality tools are designed for the wet-on-wet technique and are likely priced higher due to their specificity and performance.
Additionally, the brand offers synthetic and natural hog hair blend brushes, which are also shaped according to Bob Ross's specifications. These brushes are designed for ergonomic comfort and ease of use, contributing to their higher price point. While the brand may be more expensive than alternatives, it guarantees the desired results when using the wet-on-wet technique.
It is worth noting that cheaper alternatives to the Bob Ross brand are available, and one can achieve similar results with other oil paints. However, the Bob Ross brand ensures the exact colours and tools used by the master himself, making it a preferred choice for those wanting to replicate his iconic painting style.
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Alternatives to Bob Ross's paint brand
Bob Ross's paint brand is specifically designed for his 'wet-on-wet' technique. The paint contains more oil in the colours typically used for highlights, making them thinner. The darker colours used for bases contain less oil and more pigment, making them leaner. This means that other brands may not be as suitable for the 'wet-on-wet' technique, and achieving the same colours as Bob Ross may be more difficult.
However, there are alternatives available. One source recommends Gamblin's 1980 oil colours series as an affordable alternative that doesn't sacrifice quality. Another suggests Blick's Studio line, which is available in 50 colours and comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Winsor & Newton oil paints are also mentioned as a widely available alternative.
For brushes, Alexander Art is recommended as a great substitution for Bob Ross brushes. German brush maker "Da Vinci" is also suggested as a quality alternative, offering a broad spectrum of brushes in all sizes and types, synthetic and natural.
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Frequently asked questions
Bob Ross's paintings are oil-based. He used to blend titanium white with different oil-based paint colours and apply it to a liquid white base-coated wet canvas.
The Bob Ross technique is called the 'wet-on-wet' technique. This involves using oil paints on a wet base coat.
Bob Ross's Liquid White is made from titanium white, safflower oil, and a paint thinner. Some people recreate this mixture using linseed oil instead of safflower oil.
