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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 7 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Winter Cabin, Secluded Lake, Evergreens at Sunset, Mountain Cabin, Portrait of Sally, Misty Waterfall, Barn at Sunset, Mountain Splendor, Lake by Mountain, Mountain Glory, Grey Winter, Dock Scene, and Dark Waterfall

13 episodes
  1. 1Winter Cabin

    28 minOct 2, 1985

    In the midst of a cold, wintry forest, Bob Ross gently places a magical little wooden shanty upon a bed of soft snow.

  2. 2Secluded Lake

    27 minOct 9, 1985

    With brush in hand, Bob Ross leads you on a summertime nature walk, as you uncover the beauty of leafy trees and pond.

  3. 3Evergreens at Sunset

    27 minOct 16, 1985

    Using a different technique or two, Bob Ross creates a fascinating scene – watch the sun drop below the horizon, just behind the shadow of trees.

  4. 4Mountain Cabin

    26 minOct 23, 1985

    To capture the innocence of a stream-side cottage, Bob Ross creates a giant mountain standing majestically in the distance.

  5. 5Portrait of Sally

    27 minOct 30, 1985

    Visiting artist, Ben Stahl, uses a more traditional painting method to bring out the coy loveliness of a little girl.

  6. 6Misty Waterfall

    27 minNov 6, 1985

    Bob Ross helps a timid little stream find its way to a delightful waterfall, while gazing upon a forest of elegant trees.

  7. 7Barn at Sunset

    27 minNov 13, 1985

    Bob Ross paints an expansive barn appearing half-covered in a snowy setting of frost bitten foliage and sun-kissed sky.

  8. 8Mountain Splendor

    27 minNov 20, 1985

    It’s almost fall, and Bob Ross captures the undaunted power and charm of a mighty brown mountain surveying its rustic surroundings.

  9. 9Lake by Mountain

    28 minNov 27, 1985

    Talented guest painter Steve Ross shows you how to create a mirror-like lake spanning the width of snowy peaks and foothills.

  10. 10Mountain Glory

    27 minDec 4, 1985

    Layers and layers of mountains, as far as the eye can see -- Bob Ross shows us the secret to creating a larger-than-life landscape.

  11. 11Grey Winter

    27 minDec 11, 1985

    Bob Ross uses monochromatic tones to convey the icy coldness of a silvery lake surrounded by lacy trees and bushes – brr!

  12. 12Dock Scene

    27 minDec 18, 1985

    An abandoned shipping boat hugs a pier in a water scene that Bob Ross completes with some charming old dockside storage sheds.

  13. 13Dark Waterfall

    26 minDec 25, 1985

    Watch Bob Ross create a sweet little waterfall in the middle of a protective forest of glorious early autumn foliage.

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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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