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The Joy of Painting

We don’t make mistakes, we just have happy accidents.

  • 1983 – 1994
  • Ended
  • Family · Documentary
  • ~28m / ep
  • 31 seasons
  • 8.5/10

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.

Latest: Season 31 · 1994

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Season 31 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Reflections of Calm, Before the Snowfall, Winding Stream, Tranquility Cove, Cabin in the Hollow, View from Clear Creek, Bridge to Autumn, Trail’s End, Evergreen Valley, Balmy Beach, Lake at the Ridge, In the Midst of Winter, and Wilderness Day.

  1. E1. Reflections of Calm

    Feb 22, 1994 · 25m

    Bob Ross takes you to a beautiful lake in high country -- catch a glimpse of magnificent mountains, images echoed in the crystal clear water below.

  2. E2. Before the Snowfall

    Mar 1, 1994 · 24m

    Bob Ross invites you to experience the anticipation of winter’s white blanket, moving in to create a soft, delicate draping of the cabin landscape.

  3. E3. Winding Stream

    Mar 8, 1994 · 25m

    Join Bob Ross for a stroll down yonder by the river, relax in the serenity of an expansive yet quiet sky with proud evergreens looking on.

  4. E4. Tranquility Cove

    Mar 15, 1994 · 25m

    As the foliage reaches its peak of autumn beauty, experience the tranquility of nice meadow, pond and happy birch trees – all painted the Bob Ross way!

  5. E5. Cabin in the Hollow

    Mar 22, 1994 · 25m

    Soft misty background, sweet snow-kissed cabin and rich trees and bushes – all nestled down inside a winter oval painting by Bob Ross.

  6. E6. View from Clear Creek

    Mar 29, 1994 · 25m

    Gently rolling mountains make an amazing backdrop for this Bob Ross masterpiece; a winding stream and textured ground vegetation provide the rest.

+7 more episodes — open all seasons to browse every episode.

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