Elena Rossi
Bob Ross was an American painter and art instructor, best known for his instructional television program, The Joy of Painting, which aired from 1983 to 1994. Ross's soothing voice and gentle demeanor have inspired many to take up painting, with his wet-on-wet oil painting technique, simple instructions, and encouragement that there are no mistakes, only happy accidents. While painting like Bob Ross is not without its challenges, the right tools and techniques can make it easier for beginners to create their own masterpieces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painting style | Oil painting, specifically the wet-on-wet technique |
| Tools required | Brushes, paint thinner, canvases, easel, palette knife, paint |
| Difficulty | Beginners can find it tough, but Ross encourages students by saying "there are no mistakes, only happy accidents" |
| Best for | Beginners who want to try oil painting |
| Where to start | Watch 'The Grandeur of Summer' episode of 'The Joy of Painting' to understand equipment and techniques |
| Equipment | The official Bob Ross Master Paint Set is recommended for beginners |
| Alternatives | Cheaper alternatives to the official set are available, as well as other painting kits offered by the Bob Ross Company |
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What You'll Learn
Getting the right equipment
Bob Ross has inspired many to take up painting with his soothing voice and gentle demeanour. Before you start painting like Bob Ross, it is important to get the right equipment. The absolute best option for a beginner is the official Bob Ross Master Paint Set. It contains all the tools and colours you need to start painting right away, without having to worry about the technical challenges of buying brushes made from the right material or paints with the right oil-to-pigment ratio. The set includes a #5 knife, a 1” brush, and how-to instructions.
If you are in the UK, you can purchase the Bob Ross UK Basic Painting Set, which includes written instructions and a photo of the painting to guide you through the creative process. It also includes six colours (1.25 oz. each): Phthalo Blue, Sap Green, Titanium White, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Yellow, and Liquid White.
In addition to a paint set, you will also need paint thinner and canvases. You can find these at most art supply stores or online. If you are in the UK, Hobbycraft is a good option for art supplies. They offer water-soluble oil paints and a variety of other art materials.
Before buying your equipment, it is recommended to watch the 'Joy of Painting' special 'The Grandeur of Summer'. In this episode, Bob Ross introduces you to all the equipment and shows you how to prepare a blank canvas with Liquid White before starting to paint. This will give you a good understanding of the equipment you need and how to use it.
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Bob Ross' wet-on-wet technique
Bob Ross's wet-on-wet technique is a unique style of painting that has attracted many beginners to the medium of oil painting. Ross popularised this style through his show, "The Joy of Painting", where he painted along with viewers using this technique.
The wet-on-wet technique involves applying a new layer of paint on top of a previous layer of still-wet paint. This requires a careful balance, as too much of the top colour can cause the layers to mix, while too little will not cover the bottom layer. One way to avoid mixing is to apply a large volume of the top colour, essentially burying the underlying colour. Another method is to use a brush with exaggerated colour intensity so that when it mixes with the underlying colour, it creates the desired shade.
The wet-on-wet technique is considered one of the most difficult oil painting methods, especially for beginners. One of the biggest challenges is the undercoating, which can create mud or drying issues if it is too thick. A standard test is to touch the undercoating and ensure your fingerprint shows through.
While it is possible to use generic brushes and paints, some sources claim that the Bob Ross brushes and paints are necessary to achieve the best effects, especially for painting bushes and trees. The Bob Ross Master Paint Set is a popular option for beginners as it contains all the necessary tools and colours.
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$14.99 $16.99
Painting without sketching
Bob Ross' painting style is unique and accessible for beginners. His TV show, "The Joy of Painting", has inspired many to take up painting. Ross himself rarely sketched his paintings, instead creating images directly from his imagination. He used a wet-on-wet oil painting technique, which he taught to viewers in half-hour segments.
Ross' style is characterised by the absence of human subjects or signs of human life. He might occasionally include an unoccupied cabin, but his paintings more often featured animals and the landscapes they inhabit. This encouraged viewers to create their own stories about the scenes.
For beginners, it is recommended to watch "The Grandeur of Summer" episode of "The Joy of Painting", in which Ross introduces viewers to the equipment and techniques he uses. After watching this episode, beginners can purchase the official Bob Ross Master Paint Set, which contains all the necessary tools and colours to start painting.
Ross' soothing voice and gentle demeanour have made him a cultural staple, and his encouraging attitude has inspired many to try something new and embrace their own unique creations. His TV show has also inspired communities of painters who share their works, tips, and tricks with each other.
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Using acrylic or oil paint
Bob Ross' television show, "The Joy of Painting", popularized his wet-on-wet technique, which involves using oil paints with a high oil-to-pigment ratio. This technique is challenging to replicate with acrylic paints, which dry much faster than oils. Acrylic paints are, however, a great option for beginners as they are cheaper, easier to use, and require fewer additional materials than oil paints. Oil paints, on the other hand, are messier and require solvents and oils for both painting and cleaning brushes.
If you are committed to using Bob Ross' wet-on-wet technique, it is recommended to use the official Bob Ross Master Paint Set, which includes oil colors, a landscape knife, a landscape brush, a background brush, a fan brush, a script liner, and a 30-minute "Bob Ross, Getting Started" DVD. This set has been carefully selected to include all the tools and colors needed to start painting like Bob Ross immediately.
Before buying equipment, it is recommended to watch the one-hour special "The Grandeur of Summer" from "The Joy of Painting", in which Bob Ross introduces the equipment and demonstrates how to prepare a blank canvas with Liquid White before starting to paint. This special episode is a great starting point for beginners as it goes into detail about the different techniques used in the show.
In addition to the paint set, you will need a palette, paint thinner, some canvases, a bucket or trash can, paper towels, and some old clothes or a painting apron. An easel is not necessary when starting out, as canvases can be mounted to a wall or ladder.
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Bob Ross' TV show, 'The Joy of Painting'
Bob Ross's TV show, "The Joy of Painting", is an American half-hour instructional television programme that ran from 1983 to 1994. The show was created and hosted by painter Bob Ross, who taught viewers techniques for landscape oil painting, completing a painting in each session. The show was unique in that it featured Ross painting on a blank canvas, which would be transformed into a masterpiece in just 30 minutes. Ross's soft and gentle demeanour, along with his soothing voice, encouraged and inspired viewers to paint along with him.
Ross would often begin with a blank white canvas, which he would coat with a thin layer of liquid white paint. Occasionally, he would start with a canvas pre-painted with black gesso and use a dark colour. If a painting was expected to take longer than the half-hour time slot, the initial steps would be prepared before the episode, with Ross providing a brief explanation of his canvas preparation. For shorter paintings, Ross would fill time by showcasing his pet squirrel, Peapod, or videos of him at a nature preserve.
The show followed a consistent format, with Ross providing clear instructions and directions to viewers on how to create beautiful paintings. He coined memorable phrases, such as "We don't make mistakes, we just have happy accidents", that resonated with his audience. Ross's approach emphasised creativity and individuality, encouraging viewers to add their own touches to their paintings.
"The Joy of Painting" has had a lasting impact, with reruns syndicated on PBS stations in the United States and broadcasts in various countries worldwide. The show continues to air, albeit less frequently, and has an official YouTube channel, allowing new generations to discover the joy of painting with Bob Ross. The show has also inspired a dedicated community of painters who share their works, tips and tricks online.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to get started is to watch the 'Joy of Painting' special 'The Grandeur of Summer'. Bob Ross introduces you to all the equipment and shows you how to prepare a blank canvas with Liquid White before starting to paint.
The official Bob Ross Master Paint Set contains all the tools and colours you need to start painting. You will also need paint thinner, some canvases, a bucket or trash can, paper towels and maybe some old clothes or a painting apron.
Bob Ross uses oil paints. Oil paints can be more of a bother than acrylic paints, which wash out with water. However, Bob Ross's wet-on-wet technique uses rather thick oil paints.
Bob Ross paints directly from his imagination, without sketching first. He uses a quick, wet-on-wet oil painting technique.
You can watch Bob Ross on YouTube, Amazon Prime and other streaming services.
