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The Joy of Painting

  • TV-G
  • 1983–1994
  • 31 seasons
  • Family, Documentary
  • 8.5

We don’t make mistakes, we just have happy accidents.

The Joy of Painting was an American television show hosted by painter Bob Ross that taught its viewers techniques for landscape oil painting. Although Ross could complete a painting in half an hour, the intent of the show was not to teach viewers "speed painting". Rather, he intended for viewers to learn certain techniques within the time that the show was allotted. The show began on January 11, 1983, and lasted until May 17, 1994, a year before Ross' death.

Episodes

Season 12 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Golden Knoll, Mountain Reflections, Secluded Mountain, Bright Autumn Trees, Black Seascape, Steep Mountains, Quiet Mountains River, Evening Waterfall, Tropical Seascape, Mountain at Sunset, Soft Mountain Glow, Mountain in an Oval, and Winter Mountain.

13 episodes
  1. 1Golden Knoll

    27 minApr 29, 1987

    Bob Ross paints a beautiful monochromatic scene with delicate leafless trees and rich grassy meadow cuddling a sweet cottage.

  2. 2Mountain Reflections

    27 minMay 6, 1987

    With his trusty brushes, Bob Ross takes us to a beautiful lake hideaway nestled below a towering mountain.

  3. 3Secluded Mountain

    27 minMay 13, 1987

    Spend a relaxing half-hour with Bob Ross as he paints a mountain scene with soft, sloping grass cover, crystal lake and rocky banks.

  4. 4Bright Autumn Trees

    27 minMay 20, 1987

    A real viewer favorite, Bob Ross teaches us how to capture the exciting colors of autumn with trees, trees and trees galore!

  5. 5Black Seascape

    27 minMay 27, 1987

    Watch and learn as Bob Ross creates crashing waves in this moonlit setting – see what a simple black canvas can do.

  6. 6Steep Mountains

    27 minJun 3, 1987

    In this painting, Bob Ross presents a most statuesque ridge of peaks overlooking a little country home by the cove.

  7. 7Quiet Mountains River

    27 minJun 10, 1987

    So quickly, Bob Ross paints this beautiful and peaceful mountain valley – so many layers and layers on the canvas.

  8. 8Evening Waterfall

    27 minJun 17, 1987

    Bob Ross shares with us a truly unique ‘frame’ idea as he creates a fantastic river with rapids on black canvas.

  9. 9Tropical Seascape

    28 minJun 24, 1987

    Palm trees sway in the warm breeze as Bob Ross teaches us to paint a beautiful, sunny exotic little ocean masterpiece.

  10. 10Mountain at Sunset

    27 minJul 1, 1987

    Spend a half-hour with Bob Ross as he demonstrates the creation of the perfect brown-toned mountain scene – warm and wonderful!

  11. 11Soft Mountain Glow

    27 minJul 8, 1987

    Bob Ross’ project for today is an almost feathery, tranquil landscape setting at the base of a towering mountain.

  12. 12Mountain in an Oval

    27 minJul 15, 1987

    Watch as Bob Ross treats us to a mountain lake masterpiece enclosed in an oval – with bountiful foliage and bushes bursting out!

  13. 13Winter Mountain

    27 minJul 22, 1987

    Bob Ross’ icy-blue mountains, evergreens and lacy-like bush clusters capture the mood of a cold snowy day.

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Availability from JustWatch, via TMDB. Full listing for United States

Series cast

Bob RossSelf - Host403 episodes
Steve RossHimself13 episodes
Dana JesterHimself3 episodes
Dorothy DentHerself1 episode
Diane AndréHerself1 episode
Audrey GoldenHerself1 episode
Joyce OrtnerHerself1 episode
Ferne SiroisHerself1 episode
Ben StahlHimself1 episode
John ThammHimself1 episode
Annette KowalskiHerself1 episode

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