4 Painting Tips to Help You Become a Regular Bob Ross

Did you know that television painting guru Bob Ross was not always as successful as you may think? His famous television show was done for free and used to promote his range of art supplies. But what is it that makes his work so unique?

Luckily, it is easy to do, but hard to master. Read on as we give 4 painting tips to help you get the Bob Ross look.

Try Acrylics

Acrylic paint is a fantastic medium in which to paint. It has the vibrancy of oil paint but comes at a much lower cost. The main difference is that they have different drying times, but by mixing them with a slow drying medium you can get the same feel.

They work best when applied to a primed canvas. Make sure you begin by working on a small canvas to get used to the way the paints sticks and moves. If you have trouble with the brush, you can buy acrylic markers here that have the same effect with half the trouble.

Master Paint Thinner

Bob Ross uses a lot of thinner in his painting techniques. Not only does it clean his brushes, but it also lowers the density of the paint. This allows him to have a more watery, dripping effect.

You can add thinner to oil or acrylic paints. Do some test runs to get the amount right and see how it works on the canvas. You should be able to get a different texture entirely without compromising the vibrancy of the color.

Limit Your Brushes

Bob Ross limits himself to four brushes. If you are painting on a budget, you don’t need the most expensive art store ones you can find. Simple craft store brushed will suffice.

• 2 Inch Flat Brush
• 1 Inch Flat Brush
• Fan Brush
• Pallete Knife

The master himself tends to use a very big canvas. If you are working on a smaller scale, then you don’t need to have a 2-inch flat brush. You may be better investing in another 1 inch that you can use for stippling, leaving you one with a flat end and one that retains its shape.

Use Liquid White

For an authentic Ross technique, you should attempt to master wet in wet. This technique allows you to blend colors directly on a canvas. It is not popular in modern painting and may even seem intimidating for some beginners.

Wet on wet involves having a white base coat. The paint then mixes as it goes directly on top. While it takes time to master it is a very quick painting method as demonstrated in Bob’s episodes.

Painting Tips

These painting tips will help you get the Bob Ross product. However, you should not be afraid to experiment. Use this as a springboard to find your own art style.

If you found this article informative, we have many more to help. From art and crafts to hobbies, we have everything to ensure you get the most from your leisure time.