The Joy of Painting

The Joy of Painting was an American television show hosted by painter Bob Ross that taught its viewers techniques for landscape oil painting. Although Ross could complete a painting in half an hour, the intent of the show was not to teach viewers "speed painting". Rather, he intended for viewers to learn certain techniques within the time that the show was allotted. The show began on January 11, 1983, and lasted until May 17, 1994, a year before Ross' death.

The Joy of Painting (1983-1994) is an American public television documentary series created by Bob Ross and broadcast on PBS. Across thirty-one seasons and 403 half hour episodes, painter Bob Ross stands alone at his easel and walks viewers through a landscape in oil, from misty mountains and still lakes to evergreen forests and cabins by the water. The engine of each episode is simple: a blank canvas, a handful of brushes and palette knives, and a clock that Ross keeps without ever rushing. He is not interested in speed painting, and the show's purpose is technique learned patiently within the allotted time. Viewers hear his soft voice narrate every stroke, offering reassurance when a mistake appears and reframing it as a chance for something new. Fans of Planet Earth and The Great British Bake Off will find the same gentle, wholesome comfort here, along with a calm pacing that suits quiet evenings. The tone is soothing, encouraging and meditative, and its theme is the idea that imperfection can become part of the picture. The series is set in a studio with no narrative timeline, and it rewards patient, low-stakes viewing.

Viewers broadly acclaim the show as a calming, warmly instructive painting tutorial that makes art approachable, with an audience rating of 9.3/10.

• Planet Earthgentle instructional calm, hobby craft demonstration, soothing host-led pacing
• The Great British Bake Offgentle comforting tone, craft-focused hosted format, wholesome family viewing
• The Joy of Cookingrelaxing hosted how-to format, comforting pace, cooking-show style instruction

Created by

Bob Ross

Release Date

1983-01-11

Episode runtime

30 min

Rating

9.3 / 10 (62)

What is The Joy of Painting about?

Bob Ross teaches landscape oil painting in calm half hour episodes, turning every brushstroke into a lesson in patience and gentle encouragement.

What is The Joy of Painting like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Joy of Painting as measured, its intensity as subtle and its storytelling as simple.

Is The Joy of Painting violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Joy of Painting.

What did critics think of The Joy of Painting?

Viewers broadly acclaim the show as a calming, warmly instructive painting tutorial that makes art approachable, with an audience rating of 9.3/10.

Which shows are like The Joy of Painting?

Shows with a similar feel include Planet Earth, The Great British Bake Off, and The Joy of Cooking.

How long is The Joy of Painting?

The Joy of Painting: 31 seasons, 403 episodes.

Is The Joy of Painting still running?

No, The Joy of Painting has ended.

Where can I watch The Joy of Painting?

In United States, The Joy of Painting streams on Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Amazon MX Player, Philo, Tubi TV, Xumo Play, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Hoopla, Hulu, Dove Amazon Channel, fuboTV, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel.