Prepared canvas
Use a stretched, primed canvas on a stable easel. A 16 × 20 inch canvas is a manageable first size.
A beginner’s wet-on-wet oil painting guide
How to Paint Like Bob Ross
Learn the materials, canvas preparation and simple brush techniques behind soft skies, distant mountains, reflective water and “happy little trees.”
Start the guide
Biography
Who was Bob Ross?
Robert Norman Ross was born in Daytona, Florida, on 29 October 1942. He joined the United States Air Force in 1960 and, while stationed in Alaska, took an early painting lesson at a U.S.O. club in Anchorage. The mountains and wilderness of Alaska became lasting subjects in his work.
After leaving the Air Force, Ross studied the wet-on-wet method taught by William Alexander and developed his own recognisable approach. He later launched The Joy of Painting, encouraging viewers to create an oil landscape in a single session.
Ross died on 4 July 1995, but his calm teaching style and belief that painting should be accessible continue to inspire new generations.
Read the official Bob Ross story
1942
Born in Florida
Alaska
Where he began painting landscapes
1982–1994
The Joy of Painting era
400+
Television episodes recorded
What you need
You do not need every specialist product on day one. Wet-on-wet painting works best with firm brushes, a painting knife and correctly prepared oil paint.
Liquid White
A very thin, even coat keeps the surface wet so colours can blend directly on the canvas.
Oil colours
Start with Titanium White, Phthalo Blue, Prussian Blue, Sap Green, Van Dyke Brown, Midnight Black and a warm red and yellow.
Large brushes
A firm 2-inch landscape brush covers skies and water. A 1-inch brush is useful for foliage and smaller shapes.
Fan and liner brushes
Use the fan brush for trees, grass and waves, and a liner brush for branches and fine details.
Bob Ross painting knife
The long painting knife is useful for mountains, broken snow highlights, rocks and crisp edges.
Studio safety
Even odourless thinner gives off vapour. Work with good ventilation, keep solvents away from heat and never pour paint or thinner down a drain.
The wet-on-wet method
Prepare the canvas first
Apply an extremely thin, even layer of Liquid White with a clean 2-inch brush. The canvas should feel slick but should not have visible pools or ridges.
Begin painting while this layer is still wet. This allows colours to blend into soft transitions for skies, mist and water.
A simple painting order
Work from the farthest part of the landscape towards the foreground, saving your strongest darks and sharpest details for the end.
Sky and clouds
Use loose X-strokes for the sky. Add Titanium White clouds and soften their lower edges.
Distant mountains
Shape mountains with the painting knife, then add a thin highlight to one side.
Water and reflections
Pull reflections vertically, then drag lightly across them horizontally.
Tree shapes
Use the fan brush and vary the shapes, heights and spaces between trees.
Cabin and shoreline
Use the painting knife for crisp walls, roof edges, rocks and shoreline details.
Highlights
Add snow, grass and bright accents sparingly. Avoid making every area equally detailed.
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Key techniques to practise
Practise these elements separately before combining them into a complete landscape.
Soft skies and clouds
Keep the brush moving and use less pressure as you blend. Bright cloud highlights work best when some darker colour remains visible underneath.
Water and reflections
Pull reflections vertically and then use light horizontal strokes to turn those colours into convincing water.
Mountain depth
Use lighter colours and softer contrast for distant peaks. Save stronger darks and sharper knife highlights for mountains nearer the viewer.
Trees and foliage
Vary tree height, shape and spacing. Turn the brush and leave occasional gaps so the trees do not all look identical.
Beginner mistakes to avoid
Most early problems come from too much paint, too much blending or treating every part of the picture with equal detail.
Too much Liquid White
A heavy coating can make later colour muddy. Spread it very thinly before you begin painting.
Overloaded brushes
Use enough paint to create a clear mark, but wipe or clean the brush when colours stop looking fresh.
Over-blending
Blend only enough to soften transitions. Too much brushing removes contrast and can make the painting look flat.
Painting too slowly
Prepare your paints and tools first. Wet-on-wet painting is easiest while the surface remains workable.
No aerial perspective
Distant objects should usually be lighter, softer and less detailed than objects in the foreground.
Chasing perfection
Unexpected marks can become rocks, trees or clouds. Bob Ross famously called these “happy accidents.”
Ready to paint your first landscape?
Choose one complete Bob Ross lesson, prepare all your materials first and paint along without stopping to perfect every mark.
Visit the official Bob Ross channel