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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 13 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Rolling Hills, Frozen Solitude, Meadow Brook, Evening at Sunset, Mountain View, Hidden Creek, Peaceful Heaven, Mountain Exhibition, Emerald Waters, Mountain Summit, Cabin Hideaway, Oval Essence, and Lost Lake.

13 episodes
  1. 1Rolling Hills

    27 minSep 2, 1987

    Bob Ross’ brushes captivate the graceful and uncommon qualities of distant sloping hills and a peaceful nearby lake.

  2. 2Frozen Solitude

    27 minSep 9, 1987

    A snowy mountain range, an ice-covered lake, and a lost little cabin combine to create a wintry testimony to Bob Ross’ artistic magic.

  3. 3Meadow Brook

    27 minSep 16, 1987

    Bob Ross creates an innocent creek that slices its way across a landscape of color in a setting dreams are made of.

  4. 4Evening at Sunset

    27 minSep 23, 1987

    The day’s sun is almost gone, but Bob Ross finds what’s left of it in this unusual blend of late afternoon tones.

  5. 5Mountain View

    27 minSep 30, 1987

    Bob Ross’ painting technique is at its best as he shows a rugged group of mountains peering down upon nature’s lovely greenery.

  6. 6Hidden Creek

    27 minOct 7, 1987

    Bob Ross finds and captures on canvas the haunting loveliness of stalwart trees shielding a lonesome brook from the light.

  7. 7Peaceful Haven

    27 minOct 14, 1987

    The undaunted splendor of sky, trees and lake has never been more beautifully portrayed than in this joyful Bob Ross creation.

  8. 8Mountain Exhibition

    27 minOct 21, 1987

    The mountains and the sky sing in harmony as Bob Ross’ brushes tell a story of breathtaking hue and depth.

  9. 9Emerald Waters

    27 minOct 28, 1987

    Bob Ross uses beautiful shades of green that burst forth in this exciting and realistic display of nature’s wonder.

  10. 10Mountain Summit

    27 minNov 4, 1987

    Snowy peaks point toward the heavens as Bob Ross surrounds all of this with a happy gathering of landscape finery.

  11. 11Cabin Hideaway

    27 minNov 11, 1987

    Bob Ross’ easy method once again reveals the splendor of a little farm home in a winter wonderland and soft purple hills.

  12. 12Oval Essence

    27 minNov 18, 1987

    Bob Ross’ dramatic use of blue tones results in an emotional depiction of stark waves at night – all tucked inside an oval shape.

  13. 13Lost Lake

    27 minNov 25, 1987

    Bob Ross finds a barely visible lake being hugged by snowy mountains and some of nature’s finest greenery.

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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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