Has anyone ever attempted a Bob Ross-style painting?

[FleetwoodRaincoat]

And if so, how did it turn out? I'm very tempted to have a go, as he makes it look so easy. I've never been much good at art, but thought it looked like something I could try.

Is it difficult? Did you have any happy accidents??

No but I'm going to

Me and my eldest just need to source some easels and materials and have a go.

I did a few years ago, my aunt is quite crafty and artistic and gave me a lesson. I'm not artistic in the slightest but it turned out good! Well, for my standards anyway. But I think that's because I had someone with me physically shoeing me what to do.
I'm sure it wouldn't have been nearly as good if I had tried to follow him on TV.

On another note, watching him is like my therapy. Just listening to his calming voice and his overall positive attitude always makes me feel better.

I love watching him, like MonrOe I find him soothing and upbeat, a lovely, lovely man I imagine. So sad that he died young.

I love watching him, I swear it lowers my blood pressure! I've just watched a few attempts that people have put on YouTube, and it looks as though having too much paint on your brush is the biggest mistake people make.

Definitely adding art supplies to my Christmas list.

Yes, about twenty years ago. It wasn't as good as his but it turned out really quite decent. I don't know what happened to it though.... too long ago.

@FleetwoodRaincoat

I love watching him, I swear it lowers my blood pressure! I've just watched a few attempts that people have put on YouTube, and it looks as though having too much paint on your brush is the biggest mistake people make.

Definitely adding art supplies to my Christmas list.

My ex and I always claimed that he should have made a recording for people who suffer from insomnia. His way of speaking is soooo relaxing.

Don't buy the cheapest paint at the dollar store. Get some halfway decent quality ones. The quality of the paint does matter for your experience.

If o can convince one of the dc's to go in the loft I will take a picture of mine. I still have it somewhere.

My DCs and I did a Bob Ross paint along for our Xmas day entertainment last year! It helps that I’m an artist so I guess it was second nature to me, but they aren’t really into art and still made some great paintings!

We just got cheap canvases and easels but had to bolster the easels with heavy objects to stop them moving every time we painted anything! I used reasonably cheap acrylics rather than the oil “wet on wet” method that he uses so it wasn’t the same exactly but was a fun couple of hours nonetheless.

Ok, I am no longer going to show mine 😄

You might want to try some abstract landscapes in acrylics first, before attempting more naturalistic oil paintings a la Bob Ross. Louise Fletcher has some great instructional videos on YouTube. Or for a completely different, totally in your face style of painting flowers, try Betty Franks. So many artists to be found on YouTube - watch and be inspired.

The key is not to use too many different colours to begin with - choose 1 fairly strong colour and 2 more muted colours for each composition, plus black and white. Experiment with mixing colours - see how a strong colour changes when you add in a little yellow or ocre. Familiarise yourself with the colour wheel. Experiment!

Use not just brushes and palette knives; all kinds of utensils, some from your kitchen, can be used to create different effects. You can create some lovely artistic moods by rubbing away dried paint with rubbing alcohol, or even use sandpaper.

Canvas boards are easier than canvases, but experiment with artist paper first. No need for an easel just yet . I get most of my paints and supplies from Jacksons online. Have fun!!

I love Bob Ross and intend to have a go. His son didn't achieve the same effect though. His paintings look fussy
Bob Ross never had a 'happy accident' despite what he says. He painted each painting 2 or 3 times. The first attempt was recorded and he watched every brush stroke before painting for the show. Apparently he never sold any of the paintings he did for the show either buy he did make money on supplies
It's hard to imagine the softly spoken, nature loving man in the military

I used to watch him on Twitch. Every time I'd watch an episode (or 3) I'd vow to have a go myself ..but I've never bought the supplies

Anyone for a Bob Ross bauble?

The secret to Bob's technique is wet on wet, you can't use that with acrylics unless you use a retarder. It's still fun having a go though ;-)
The head chef where I worked used to watch Bob on his break, said it helped him chill lol.

I have zero artistic ability but I absolutely adore Bob Ross - I'm a terrible sleeper and I watch him to doze off. It's the best ASMR.

DH recently found a Bob Ross funko pop and secretly added him to my collection. I was so touched when I saw it, I cried a little

I recently watched a documentary on him and while he's not 100% squeaky clean (who is though??), it appears he was a really lovely guy, just as I'd hoped.

@TheShoeLady

My DCs and I did a Bob Ross paint along for our Xmas day entertainment last year! It helps that I’m an artist so I guess it was second nature to me, but they aren’t really into art and still made some great paintings!

We just got cheap canvases and easels but had to bolster the easels with heavy objects to stop them moving every time we painted anything! I used reasonably cheap acrylics rather than the oil “wet on wet” method that he uses so it wasn’t the same exactly but was a fun couple of hours nonetheless.

Wow these are great!

Loving the Bob Ross impression……that hair sure is something! 😂

Yes, I helped my 9yr old son do one. It was really good (can’t find a photo now!), and it was surprising how easy it was to do certain techniques.

@amusedbush I'd never heard of him before my sister made me watch that documentary. It kept mentioning some scandal. She thought he was going to be accused of child abuse and was very relieved he wasn't!

Theyre brilliant @TheShoeLady
Love Bob Ross but never attempted one myself

[quote Toddlerteaplease]@amusedbush I'd never heard of him before my sister made me watch that documentary. It kept mentioning some scandal. She thought he was going to be accused of child abuse and was very relieved he wasn't![/quote]
Yeah, I appreciate that infidelity is rarely good but the whole situation was weird, I feel like that couple massively took advantage of him. Honestly, if that's the worst thing he ever did then I'm very relieved because I love him!

I watched 20+ seasons of The Joy of Painting over several months to help me sleep at night but it's no longer on Amazon Prime. iPlayer has it because it plays on BBC4 but I don't like how they organise them on that platform

I watched a guy live stream an attempt to do a Bob Ross on twitch!
(a guy called Vadrada)
It was really good, he did really well, he'd never painted before either and it turned out good..

Yes! DD and I did some last year during lockdown.
Here is hers - she was only 9 when she did it, and hers is better than mine.

Download the Calm app for a free trial & listen to his Sleep Stories. Three to choose from. 🙂

ZZzzzzzzz

Dont buy anything Bob Ross branded if you can help it. None of the profit from his name goes to his son or his estate.
There is a fascinating documentary on Netflix about Bob and how his associates preyed a bit on his naivety.

I vowed never to buy anything BR branded again after watching it.