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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 14 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Distant Mountains,Meadow Brook Surprise, Mountain Moonlight Oval, Snowy Solitude, Mountain River, Graceful Mountains, Windy Waves, On a Clear Day, Riverside Escape Oval, Surprising Falls, Shadow Pond, Misty Forest Oval, and Natural Wonder.

13 episodes
  1. 1Distant Mountains

    27 minDec 30, 1987

    Bob Ross will enchant you as he captures, on the canvas, a bright and cheery mountain scene right out of your dreams.

  2. 2Meadow Brook Surprise

    27 minJan 6, 1988

    A timid little brook winds its way through a golden grassland created by Bob Ross’ precise, but easy-to-learn technique.

  3. 3Mountain Moonlight Oval

    27 minJan 13, 1988

    The mysterious night sky is pierced by amazing lunar rays which Bob Ross uses to illuminate a mighty mountain.

  4. 4Snowy Solitude

    27 minJan 20, 1988

    A snow-covered winter fantasy land seems so real, and Bob Ross shows you how easy his special painting technique can be.

  5. 5Mountain River

    27 minJan 27, 1988

    Faraway peaks appear to almost float amongst the clouds as Bob Ross creates a gently flowing river splashing into the foreground.

  6. 6Graceful Mountains

    27 minFeb 3, 1988

    Get caught up in the magic as you watch Bob Ross produce a snowy summit and beautiful lake surrounded by shades of greenery.

  7. 7Windy Waves

    27 minFeb 10, 1988

    Bob Ross creates palm trees that yield to stiff sea breezes as a sky of ominous clouds loom in the background.

  8. 8On a Clear Day

    27 minFeb 17, 1988

    Bob Ross’ striking color contrasts create a scene that appears to thaw under the bright sun of a late winter’s day.

  9. 9Riverside Escape Oval

    27 minFeb 24, 1988

    Share the excitement of discovering a path leading to the edge of a quiet river – in an oval! – with favorite painter Bob Ross.

  10. 10Surprising Falls

    27 minMar 2, 1988

    Guest painter Steve Ross enhances the beauty of this lovely mountain scene with a splashing waterfall amidst lovely fall foliage.

  11. 11Shadow Pond

    27 minMar 9, 1988

    Bob Ross chooses to make a pond in the middle of a darkened forest the subject of today’s mood-evoking creation.

  12. 12Misty Forest Oval

    27 minMar 16, 1988

    The delicate use of beautiful shades of lavender and green makes this glimpse inside a forest, with Bob Ross, an enjoyable challenge.

  13. 13Natural Wonder

    27 minMar 23, 1988

    Bob Ross combines the simple elements of a sky, a mountain, and a lake to produce this ultra-soft tribute to nature.

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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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