Nitrate

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 15 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Splendor of Winter, Colors of Nature, Grandpa’s Barn, Peaceful Reflections, Hidden Winter Moon Oval, Waves of Wonder, Cabin by the Pond, Fall Stream, Christmas Eve Snow, Forest Down Oval, Pathway to Autumn, Deep Forest Lake, and Peaks of Majesty

13 episodes
  1. 1Splendor of Winter

    27 minApr 27, 1988

    The stillness of a winter’s day, with happy sun shining bright in the sky, can be beautifully captured on canvas, and Bob Ross shows you how.

  2. 2Colors of Nature

    27 minMay 4, 1988

    Bob Ross uses a little imagination and lots of color to create this soft, luxurious early autumn lake scene.

  3. 3Grandpa's Barn

    27 minMay 11, 1988

    Old-time memories are conjured up by the sight of this lonesome big barn that Bob Ross places on the edge of a forest.

  4. 4Peaceful Reflections

    27 minMay 18, 1988

    Bob Ross uncovers the extraordinary loveliness of nature, reflected in the mirror surface of a lake in front of a mountain.

  5. 5Hidden Winter Moon Oval

    27 minMay 25, 1988

    The effective use of striking blue tones allows Bob Ross to produce a winter night scene, complete with sweet cabin, inside an oval!

  6. 6Waves of Wonder

    27 minJun 1, 1988

    The versatility of Bob Ross’ easy method is dramatically illustrated by this mighty tide crashing into a rock-lined shore.

  7. 7Cabin by the Pond

    27 minJun 8, 1988

    Bob Ross creates a fisherman’s hideaway in the form of a secluded shanty-home nestled beside a smooth little lake.

  8. 8Fall Stream

    27 minJun 15, 1988

    A spunky little river meanders its way through an autumn hillside bursting with splashes of color, as only Bob Ross can create!

  9. 9Christmas Eve Snow

    27 minJun 22, 1988

    Bob Ross gently places a little old church house upon a bed of snow in front of giant frost-covered mountains in the background.

  10. 10Forest Down Oval

    27 minJun 29, 1988

    Bob Ross allows the greenery of a deep grove to be barely visible in the light of early morning – all tucked inside an oval.

  11. 11Pathway to Autumn

    27 minJul 6, 1988

    The splendor of fall is produced by Bob Ross’ red, orange and brown grasses and foliage, softly complimenting a rugged little shed.

  12. 12Deep Forest Lake

    27 minJul 13, 1988

    A dark mere almost completely shielded from the sunlight by a thick growth of soft leafy trees is Bob Ross’ lovely painting today.

  13. 13Peaks of Majesty

    27 minJul 20, 1988

    Bob Ross paints a still lake that captures the reflection of some trees as a range of rugged mountains stand guard in the background.

Where to watch The Joy of Painting

Free with a library card

Sign in with your public library card

Buy

Pay once, keep it in your library

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

More like thisShows TMDB viewers also watched