How to paint like Bob Ross

How to paint like Bob Ross is the theme of this page with many videos that instruct you how to paint mountains and trees the easy way using his style of painting. Katherine Liberoni teaches you on her youtube videos how to create a cabin in a landscape painting and realistic looking trees. You will find many video demonstrations on the technique made famous by the artists and instructor Bob Ross.

Step 1 - The equipment

When you are starting out with oil painting with the Bob Ross wet-on-wet technique then I recommend the master paint set.

All the colours and paints brushes you need are inside.

You will also need the Bob Ross odourless thinner and bucket. These are used to clean your brushes.

Odorless thinner

Bob Ross brushes

You will also need an easel and a canvas to paint on !
Any easel and canvas will be fine

Step 2 - Preparing the canvas

Liquid white is included in the master set, you can also buy a tub separately. This is essential to mix colours easily on the canvas.

You will apply a thin layer/coat to the entire canvas surface. It is important it is still wet when you begin to paint.

Liquid white

Step 3 - Let's get started !

Sky and water

How to paint a blue sky with clouds

Materials Needed:

Bob Ross Master Paint Set or individual oil paints (Titanium White, Phthalo Blue, Prussian Blue)
Bob Ross 2-inch brush
Bob Ross Fan Brush
Bob Ross Palette
Bob Ross Odorless Thinner
Bob Ross Liquid White
Canvas
Easel

Steps:1. Prepare Your Canvas:

Apply a thin coat of Liquid White to the entire canvas. This makes the surface wet and helps in blending the colours smoothly.

2. Select Your Sky Colors:

On your palette, squeeze out a small amount of Titanium White, Phthalo Blue, and Prussian Blue. You can mix these to achieve the desired sky colour.

3. Load Your Brush:

Dip the top corner of your 2-inch brush into the Titanium White, and then touch a little bit of Phthalo Blue. This creates a light blue colour.

4. Apply the Sky Base:

Using crisscross strokes (X-strokes), apply the light blue colour across the top part of the canvas. Keep the strokes loose and allow the colours to blend naturally.

5. Darken the Sky:

Add a touch of Prussian Blue to your brush, and repeat the crisscross strokes, focusing on the upper part of the sky. This adds depth and darkness to the sky.

6. Blend the Colors:

Using horizontal and vertical strokes, softly blend the colours where they meet. This creates a seamless transition between the light and dark areas.

7. Create Clouds:

Load the fan brush with Titanium White and gently tap it on the canvas to create soft, fluffy clouds. Use circular motions and be light-handed for a natural look.

8. Highlight the Clouds:

Reload the fan brush with a bit more Titanium White, and lightly highlight the top edges of the clouds. This adds dimension and makes the clouds stand out.

9. Final Touches:

Step back and assess your painting. If needed, you can add more details or make adjustments to achieve the desired sky effect.

Bob Ross painting a sky

Remember not to overload your brush, thick paint is more difficult to blend
For the sky remember to make little crosses or "Xs"

The video below belongs to Katherine Liberoni

Painting water

Painting water using the Bob Ross wet-on-wet technique involves creating reflections, ripples, and a realistic water surface. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Materials Needed:

Bob Ross Master Paint Set or individual oil paints (Phthalo Blue, Prussian Blue, Van Dyke Brown, Midnight Black)
Bob Ross 1-inch brush
Bob Ross 2-inch brush
Bob Ross Fan Brush
Bob Ross Palette
Bob Ross Odorless Thinner
Bob Ross Liquid White
Canvas
Easel

Steps:1. Prepare Your Canvas:

Apply Liquid White to the lower part of the canvas where you want the water to be. This will help in blending colours smoothly.

2. Select Water Colors:

On your palette, squeeze out Phthalo Blue, Prussian Blue, Van Dyke Brown, and Midnight Black. These colours will be used to create the water.

3. Load Your Brush:

Dip the 2-inch brush into a mixture of Phthalo Blue and a touch of Prussian Blue. This creates a deep blue colour for the water.

4. Apply Base Color:

Using horizontal strokes, apply the deep blue colour to the lower part of the canvas, just above where you applied the Liquid White. Let the colours blend naturally.

5. Create Water Ripples:

With a clean and dry 1-inch brush, gently tap on the canvas to create ripples in the water. Use short, horizontal strokes to suggest movement.

6. Add Reflections:

Load the fan brush with a mixture of Van Dyke Brown and Midnight Black. Add reflections by pulling the brush down vertically from the objects (like trees) in the painting.

7. Blend Reflections:

Use the 2-inch brush to gently blend the reflections into the water. Make soft, horizontal strokes to create a smooth transition.

8. Highlight Reflections:

Reload the fan brush with a touch of Liquid White and lightly highlight some areas of the reflections. This adds a shimmering effect to the water.

9. Define Shoreline:

If your scene includes a shoreline, use the fan brush to add a thin line of Van Dyke Brown and Midnight Black where the water meets the land.

10. Final Touches:

Step back and assess your painting. Add any additional details or adjustments to achieve the desired water effect.

11. Clean Your Brushes:

Use the odourless thinner to clean your brushes thoroughly.

Remember to enjoy the process and let the colours blend naturally. Experiment with brushstrokes and techniques to create the appearance of realistic water in your Bob Ross-style painting.

"Mountain ridge lake" is a good example of how to paint water

How to paint a waterfall

❄️ Bob Ross painting a selection of winter scenes

Learn how to paint a distant mountain

How to paint a foreground mountain

Amazon.co.uk Widgets

How to paint a tree and grass

How to paint pine trees

ChatGPTBob Ross, born on October 29, 1942, in Daytona Beach, Florida, was an iconic American painter and television host best known for his popular instructional show, "The Joy of Painting." Before pursuing art, Ross served in the United States Air Force and discovered his passion for painting while stationed in Alaska. His distinctive style, characterized by soft-spoken guidance, a soothing demeanor, and the use of the wet-on-wet oil painting technique, endeared him to millions of viewers. Ross aimed to make art accessible to everyone, emphasizing that "there are no mistakes, just happy accidents." Beyond his artistic contributions, he co-founded his own art supply company and became a cultural phenomenon. Despite facing health challenges, Bob Ross continued to inspire generations with his calming presence and love for painting until his passing on July 4, 1995. His legacy endures through his timeless art, instructional videos, and the joy he brought to countless aspiring artists and art enthusiasts worldwide.