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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 29 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: island in the Wilderness, Autumn Oval, Seasonal Progression, Light at the Summit, Countryside Barn, Mountain Lake Falls, Cypress Creek, Trapper’s Cabin, Storm on the Horizon, Pot O’ Posies, A Perfect Winter Day, Aurora’s Dance, and Woodman’s Retreat.

13 episodes
  1. 1Island in the Wilderness

    25 minAug 24, 1993

    Take a walk with Bob Ross down a little lakeside path in a secluded place; you’ll delight in the discovery of a small uninhabited island.

  2. 2Autumn Oval

    24 minAug 31, 1993

    Step into an oval classic with Bob Ross and get inspired by the gorgeous browns and oranges of undoubtedly the most beautiful season of all.

  3. 3Seasonal Progression

    24 minSep 7, 1993

    An interesting way to frame two pictures! Bob Ross paints a mountain landscape from luscious summer to beautiful winter, both on one canvas.

  4. 4Light at the Summit

    24 minSep 14, 1993

    Capture a vision of glory with Bob Ross as you view the brilliance of afternoon sunlight peeking over a distant mountain top.

  5. 5Countryside Barn

    25 minSep 21, 1993

    Take a trail through the meadow with Bob Ross and enjoy magnificent warmth and beauty of the sunlight’s glory as it rests gently upon an old barn.

  6. 6Mountain Lake Falls

    25 minSep 28, 1993

    Guest artist Steve Ross invites you to experience the refreshing beauty of a highland lake and its gentle splashing waterfall.

  7. 7Cypress Creek

    24 minOct 5, 1993

    Take a stroll with Bob Ross deep into the swamp and breathe in the fragrances of damp earth and moss-filled trees on a rill bank.

  8. 8Trapper's Cabin

    24 minOct 12, 1993

    Hike into the mountains with Bob Ross and stumble upon a cozy well-worn shack amidst the solitude of the wilderness.

  9. 9Storm on the Horizon

    25 minOct 19, 1993

    Visit this gusty, sandy beach with Bob Ross and see how the approaching menacing clouds hug the great sea and sky ahead.

  10. 10Pot O' Posies

    24 minOct 26, 1993

    Follow guest artist Annette Kowalski as she creates a beautiful hanging clay pot full of leaves and flowers using the Bob Ross painting method.

  11. 11A Perfect Winter Day

    24 minNov 2, 1993

    Travel with Bob Ross to the mountains of the north and marvel at the sight of a quaint cabin nestled into a lovely winter landscape.

  12. 12Aurora's Dance

    24 minNov 9, 1993

    Join Bob Ross and experience the amazing beauty of the ‘northern lights’ phenomenon as they dance across the dark, dark sky – this time in an oval!

  13. 13Woodman's Retreat

    24 minNov 16, 1993

    Explore the gorgeous mountain countryside with Bob Ross, and learn to paint a perfectly realistic-looking woodgrain background so simply!

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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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