It is a very repetitive, formulaic, and very limited style of painting that relies upon quick and dirty shortcut “tricks” that are not as easy to do as they look, it seems to appeal to those who are interested in instantaneous gratification for their simplistic efforts. It can be fun for some, and since painting with his method, or by numbers, is not brain surgery or mortal combat and no one gets hurt, it is harmless and you are still free to pursue a wider range of techniques and styles should you decide to move on.

Since you ask for opinions…”Nay” on Bob Ross…if you decide to take painting seriously you will spend a lot of time “unlearning” his ideas of quickie flash painting. My most difficult students to teach were Bob Ross fans who didn’t understand why they couldn’t do a 16 x 20 painting a day and make their first million in a matter of months. It is worth the journey to learn what make great painters great. Look up Mark Carder and go to his website which is filled with the “hows” and “whys” from start to finish on paintings. It is loaded with free videos that are step by step. You do not need to buy his paints or products, but do get a better quality of paints.

Wishing you the best in painting. After 30+ years as a successful artist I have learned a thing or two…My honest 2 cents worth.:thumbsup:

People forget that Bobs edges and palette knife work are actually very very good.

I advise against the Bob Ross method. As was already mentioned, his show is a show, meant to be a show.

If you browse through Wet Canvas archives (use search), you will find some satisfied users of the Bob Ross method, and even some good paintings done that way. But you will also find many unhappy hobbyists who have met with little success, and others who succeed but are locked into a single kind of scene.

The problem is not with the Bob Ross brand of paints, which are well-suited to his style. The problem is the style itself, “wet on wet.” This technique is difficult to master, and even more difficult to correct mistakes. It does, however, use a lot of paint.

So, I advise you to learn using other methods. You can use the Bob Ross paints, if you wish.

I am a newbie, using the Bob Ross techinque…and honestly I have yet to turn out a recognizeable painting…it is far far more difficult than he makes it appear on TV…I’m still struggling along though… there is one member here who is successfully using Bob Ross methods…saw a painting of a tree swing he did not so long ago…plus at couple of other members who have used his method and moved on…Searching my threads here will show them I would think…most of my threads are here in Oil Painting.

I grew up watching both Mr. Alexander and Mr. Ross and I loved both those shows, never missed a one. They made learning oil painting absolutely fun and I thought it was way cool to have a painting show on TV. As an aside there was also a sewing show I used to watch, I think her name was Nancy I miss all those old shows..

Anyway, I don’t paint in that style (I’m much more realistic) but they both inspired me and it was like having another fellow painter in the room. I have many of those oil paints and mediums, and very many of their brushes.

There’s no harm in watching them and getting started the way they painted. I think they were more geared towards the fun enjoyment of creating a painting. Thats ok. One can become more involved with the theory and process should they chose. Branch off and experiment on your own. You’ll get there…

I have very many art books (I love old art books) and learn from all of them..
Schmid, Parramon, Ross, Alexander, etc., etc.

Hello,

I use the Bob Ross method. I paint a lot with it. It’s a good method to use, once you get the technique down. I learned only from watching bob ross videos. It took me several months to get down.

If anybody who is trying the Bob Ross method wants to learn, I would be more than happy to help them. I know a lot of things about the technique.

I would post a picture of my most recent work, but I can’t at the moment.

Happy painting,

Jared