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 22 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Autumn Images, Hint of Springtime, Around the Bend, Countryside Oval, Russet Winter, Purple Haze, Dimensions, Deep Wilderness Home, Haven in the Valley, Wintertime Blues, Pastel Seascape, Country Creek, and Silent Forest.

13 episodes
  1. 1Autumn Images

    27 minJan 1, 1991

    Feel the soft coolness of late summer air and drink in the beauty of changing colors with Bob Ross as he creates this refreshing masterpiece.

  2. 2Hint of Springtime

    27 minJan 8, 1991

    Melting snow from the mountains creates a rushing flow of water into a valley just awakening for spring. Feel the crisp new season with Bob Ross.

  3. 3Around the Bend

    27 minJan 15, 1991

    Join Bob Ross on a painting excursion along this beautiful scenic river – who knows what abundance of nature’s wealth lies beyond!

  4. 4Countryside Oval

    26 minJan 22, 1991

    Travel with Bob Ross to a picturesque spot in the meadow and delight in the discovery of not one, but two serene fishing holes.

  5. 5Russet Winter

    27 minJan 29, 1991

    The first snowfall just beyond autumn signals the true beginning of winter -- join Bob Ross as he discovers just such a glorious moment.

  6. 6Purple Haze

    27 minFeb 5, 1991

    Catch a glimpse of the sun trying to break through shades of soft crimson, shining its golden touch upon the land. Bob Ross creates another black canvas beauty today.

  7. 7Dimensions

    27 minFeb 12, 1991

    Bob Ross creates a fantastic and truly unique geometric illusion of depth in today’s lovely vision of pastel mountain magic.

  8. 8Deep Wilderness Home

    27 minFeb 19, 1991

    Bob Ross takes you far into the untouched forest to discover an old country home on a cliff, completely hidden by surrounding foliage.

  9. 9Haven in the Valley

    28 minFeb 26, 1991

    Imagine the peace and serenity of a home in the hollow, sheltered from the snow-covered mountains beyond! Travel with Bob Ross to just such a place.

  10. 10Wintertime Blues

    27 minMar 5, 1991

    Bundle up with artist Bob Ross and peer into the north country in the midst of winter; experience a vision in the coldest of azure tones.

  11. 11Pastel Seascape

    26 minMar 12, 1991

    Feast your eyes on this colorful Bob Ross display of nature’s exciting seashore panorama … beautifully tucked within an oval.

  12. 12Country Creek

    27 minMar 19, 1991

    Team up with Bob Ross and travel back to the days of swimming in that lovely secluded river bend; bring back memories of a forgotten time.

  13. 13Silent Forest

    27 minMar 26, 1991

    Take a leisurely stroll with Bob Ross and gather your thoughts in the quiet misty woodlands; this lovely masterpiece is a great lesson in using the knife.

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