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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 8 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Misty Rolling Hills, Lakeside Cabin, Warm Winter Day, Waterside Way, Hunter's Haven, Bubbling Mountain Brook, Winter Hideaway, Foot of the Mountain, Majestic Pine, Cactus at Sunset, Mountain Range, Lonely Retreat, and Northern Lights.

13 episodes
  1. 1Misty Rolling Hills

    28 minJan 2, 1986

    Bob Ross creates soft purple sky and tall trees that almost seem to float in the hazy foothills of a distant, blue-grey mountain.

  2. 2Lakeside Cabin

    27 minJan 9, 1986

    A cabin has found a peaceful resting place amongst a warm setting of lush, lakeside greenery in this wonderful oval creation by Bob Ross.

  3. 3Warm Winter Day

    27 minJan 16, 1986

    The field of snow and the little cabin yield to the bright, orange sun -- Bob Ross conveys harmony in this cold, but cozy scene.

  4. 4Waterside Way

    27 minJan 23, 1986

    A wilderness path leads you to the side of a still lake in a setting that Bob Ross accents with an abundance of trees.

  5. 5Hunter's Haven

    28 minJan 30, 1986

    Bob Ross’ exciting use of blue, yellow and orange hues brings vibrancy to this wood side setting and dream cabin beside a clear blue lake.

  6. 6Bubbling Mountain Brook

    27 minFeb 6, 1986

    A playful brook appears the perfect complement to a range of rugged mountains in this Bob Ross setting on canvas.

  7. 7Winter Hideaway

    27 minFeb 13, 1986

    Bob Ross puts a lonesome cabin in the middle of a snowy setting as an unexpected place of respite for the weary traveler.

  8. 8Foot of the Mountain

    27 minFeb 20, 1986

    A lake and some tall trees pay homage to a commanding mountain in the background, as a cabin stands nearby -- a classic Bob Ross creation.

  9. 9Majestic Pine

    28 minFeb 27, 1986

    For the 100th episode of The Joy Of Painting, Bob Ross paints a golden field of sparse pines and other greenery inside the unique shape of a tapered rectangle with cut-in corners.

  10. 10Cactus at Sunset

    27 minMar 6, 1986

    A path of cacti and rocks lead right up to a bold sun setting in a dramatic red sky, all from the delicate motions of Bob Ross’ paint brush.

  11. 11Mountain Range

    27 minMar 13, 1986

    Guest painter Steve Ross uses lots of color in this stirring depiction of giant peaks behind foothills opening onto a smooth lake.

  12. 12Lonely Retreat

    27 minMar 20, 1986

    A real Bob Ross favorite – he uses blue and red highlights to accentuate the drama and beauty of a snow-bound cabin at sunset.

  13. 13Northern Lights

    27 minMar 27, 1986

    Bob Ross begins with a black canvas to create this startling rendition of a snowy landscape with the notorious lights of the northern sky.

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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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