Bob Ross Painting: Essential Materials And Techniques

what to got to do a bob ross painting

Bob Ross has inspired many to pick up a paintbrush for the first time. His encouraging catchphrase, there are no mistakes, only happy accidents, has helped many amateur painters to feel confident in their abilities. To paint like Bob Ross, you'll need to gather the right tools and set up your workspace. Bob Ross used a variety of brushes, including the #2 Script Liner Brush and the #6 Bristle Filbert Brush, as well as unique straight-edged painting knives. You'll also need an 18x24 Stretched, Double Primed, Canvas, and oil paint. Once you have your equipment, you can follow along with Bob Ross's show, 'The Joy of Painting', or one of his many other painting tutorials.

Characteristics Values
Watch before painting It is recommended to watch 'The Grandeur of Summer' before buying equipment and starting to paint.
Equipment Easels, canvases, brushes, paints, and paint cleaner.
Bob Ross equipment Bob Ross Master Set, Bob Ross brand paint and brushes.
Technique Water Mixable Oil Paint, liquid base coat.
Brushes #2 Script Liner Brush, #6 Bristle Filbert Brush, #5 and #10 Painting Knives.
Tips Be careful with using too much "liquid white".

cypaint

Watch 'The Joy of Painting' and 'The Grandeur of Summer' episodes

Bob Ross, the host of the popular art show *The Joy of Painting*, takes you through the entire painting process in his episode "The Grandeur of Summer". This episode, which was never aired on television, is available on Amazon as a 60-minute DVD or video.

In this episode, Bob Ross provides detailed instructions on how to paint "The Grandeur of Summer", making it an excellent reference tool for beginners. He shares his techniques, which are especially crucial when painting with oils or acrylics. Bob is also known for his storytelling and unique sayings, such as "two hairs and some air; beat the devil out of it [the brush]".

Before you begin, it is recommended that you watch "The Grandeur of Summer" episode to get a sense of the techniques and materials required. Once you have your equipment, you can follow along with Bob, pausing and rewinding as needed.

Bob Ross's calm and soothing manner makes his episodes a delight to watch, even if you're not planning to paint. Each episode is less than 30 minutes long, making them a great way to unwind and relax at the end of the day.

cypaint

Prepare your equipment: canvas, brushes, paints, etc

Bob Ross' distinctive painting style has inspired many to take up a brush and try it for themselves. To prepare your equipment and get started, you will need a range of tools and materials.

Firstly, you will need a canvas. Bob Ross used black canvases on occasion, but you can also paint a regular canvas with black acrylic paint and let it dry. Walmart sells packs of 16 x 20-inch canvases, which are a good size to start with.

Next, you will need paint. Bob Ross used oil paints, and his palette included a range of colours: titanium white, phthalo green, phthalo blue, Prussian blue, burnt umber, Van Dyke brown, alizarin crimson, sap green, cadmium yellow, Indian yellow, and permanent red. These paints should be firm. You can buy Bob Ross-branded paint, or opt for cheaper alternatives such as Master's Touch oils from Hobby Lobby, or Georgian Oil paints.

To thin the paint, you will need paint thinner, also known as "odorless mineral spirits", available at hardware stores. Bob Ross also used a technique called wet on wet, which requires liquid white to thin the other colours as they are applied. You can buy liquid white or make your own by mixing linseed oil with titanium white paint.

You will also need a range of brushes, including a fan brush (size 4 or 6), a liner brush (size 1 or 2), and a filbert. Having multiples of each brush is helpful so you don't need to wash them as often. You will also need a palette knife; a cheap plastic knife will work, but ensure it is the same shape as the recommended palette knives.

Finally, some additional equipment includes an easel, a palette, paintbrushes, paper towels, and a container with a wire mesh at the bottom. With all this equipment, you will be well prepared to start your Bob Ross-style painting!

cypaint

Understand the basics: how to hold a brush, mix colours, etc

Bob Ross' wet-on-wet painting technique is a great way to create beautiful landscapes, even if you're a beginner. To get started, you'll need to understand the basics of brush handling, colour mixing, and canvas preparation.

Let's begin with brush handling. Bob Ross typically used a few specific brushes, including the largest flat brush and the liner. Hog's hair brushes are recommended for this style of painting, as they produce better reflections than nylon brushes. However, nylon brushes can still work well for techniques other than reflections. If you're using synthetic brushes, look for "Taklon" ones, which are soft-bristled and ideal for acrylic paints.

Now, let's talk about colour mixing. The Bob Ross Master Paint Set includes all the colours you need to get started, and you won't have to worry about the right oil-to-pigment ratio. The most commonly used colours in Bob Ross' paintings include white, sap green, and Vandyke brown, so be prepared to replace these more frequently.

Preparing your canvas is also key. Bob Ross typically started with an 18"x24" double-primed (gesso) canvas. Before painting, he would cover the canvas with a thin coat of "Liquid White" paint. Be careful not to use too much Liquid White, as it can make your canvas too wet for the techniques to work properly. If this happens, gently wipe the excess paint off with a paper towel or a clean, dry brush.

Finally, take the time to watch and learn from Bob Ross himself. The Joy of Painting special, "The Grandeur of Summer," is an excellent starting point. In this episode, Bob Ross introduces the equipment and demonstrates how to prepare your canvas with Liquid White before painting. Following along with this episode is a great way to practice your brush handling, colour mixing, and canvas preparation skills.

cypaint

Learn Bob Ross's unique techniques: the wet-on-wet method, use of liquid white, etc

Bob Ross's wet-on-wet painting technique involves coating the canvas in a liquid base coat, which allows the paint to be blended directly on the canvas. This base coat can be made using a mixture of oil paint and thinner, such as Bob Ross's odourless thinner. The liquid base coat is available in white, black, clear, and opal, with the white variety being the most commonly used by Bob Ross. This technique is designed for use with oil paints, as the thin paint will stick to the thick base coat, allowing for the quick creation of a painting. Bob Ross's paint range varies in the ratio of oil to pigments, with darker colours used for background layers being firmer than lighter colours, which are used for highlights.

To create a base for the canvas, Bob Ross Gesso can be used as a primer and undercoat. This comes in white, black, and grey and can be used in conjunction with liquid clear to create interesting effects. The canvas can then be coated with liquid white or clear white, which forms a slow-drying base layer that is essential for the wet-on-wet technique.

When mixing colours, it is often desirable to create a marbled mix of colours, rather than a uniform new colour. This can be used to create a varied and natural effect, such as for leaves on trees or snow on mountains. Bob Ross makes this technique seem easy, but it can take a while to develop a feeling for when to stop mixing.

Bob Ross's unique painting style and techniques can be learned by watching his show, 'The Joy of Painting', which is available on Amazon Prime Video and, in the US, on the Bob Ross YouTube channel. For beginners, it is recommended to watch the Joy of Painting special 'The Grandeur of Summer' before buying equipment and attempting to paint along with Bob Ross.

cypaint

Get feedback from the TwoInchBrush community

To get feedback from the TwoInchBrush community, you can join the friendly group of artists on their website. This community is a great place to share your paintings and get valuable feedback and tips from other members.

Before you begin painting, it is recommended to watch "The Grandeur of Summer" episode of "The Joy of Painting", where Bob Ross explains the tools and how to set up a white canvas. This will give you a good understanding of the basics before you start.

Once you have your equipment, you can follow along with Bob Ross's episodes, pausing and rewinding as needed. You can also refer to his Q&A episodes, where he answers common questions and provides more detailed explanations of his techniques.

After you have completed your painting, you can share your work with the TwoInchBrush community. They will be able to provide feedback on your technique, composition, and use of colour. You can also ask for tips on how to improve your paintings and get advice on the best materials to use.

The community is a great resource for beginners as it provides a supportive environment to learn and develop your painting skills. You can connect with other artists who are also learning to paint like Bob Ross and share your experiences and challenges.

By engaging with the TwoInchBrush community, you will not only receive feedback on your paintings but also be inspired by the work of others and make new friends who share your passion for art.

Frequently asked questions

Bob Ross is a minimalist when it comes to equipment. You will need an easel, canvas, brushes, paints, and paint cleaner. You can buy the official Bob Ross Master Set.

Lay down a drop cloth, an old towel, or newspaper to ensure you don’t get paint in unwanted places. Choose an episode to follow and decide on which painting you want to try.

Bob Ross always insisted that “there are no mistakes, only happy accidents”. If you want to paint over areas in your painting, you can use Bob Ross products to do so, but first apply a base coat to the area and ensure the painting is clean and dry.

Bob Ross starts by covering his canvas with a very thin coat of white paint. Be careful not to use too much "liquid white". You can also watch Bob's Q&A episodes where he answers questions from viewers and goes into more detail about his techniques.

Bob Ross uses a variety of brushes, including the #2 Script Liner Brush for details and the #6 Bristle Filbert Brush for seascapes, tree trunks, and other small details.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Fan Brush 3

$11.73

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment