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The show airs regularly on the PBS digital subchannel [[Create (TV network)|Create]].
The show airs regularly on the PBS digital subchannel [[Create (TV network)|Create]].

The show's theme tune is "Interlude", by L. Owens.


==Format==
==Format==

Revision as of 00:53, 2 November 2010

The Joy of Painting
Bob Ross at his easel
StarringBob Ross
Country of origin United States
Original languageEnglish
Original release
NetworkPBS
ReleaseJanuary 11, 1983 –
1995

The Joy of Painting is an American television show hosted by painter Bob Ross that teaches viewers basic techniques for landscape oil painting. Although Bob 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 amount of time that the show was allowed. The show lasted until Ross's death in 1995.

Production

Broadcast by non-commercial public television stations, the show was first produced by WNVC in Falls Church, Virginia, through the early-1980s, then WIPB in Muncie, Indiana from 1983 until Ross's death in 1995, and later by Blue Ridge Public Television in Roanoke, Virginia. Most of the series was distributed by what is now American Public Television.

As of 2006, The Joy of Painting was being shown in many countries worldwide, such as Greek state broadcaster ERT3, Turkish state broadcaster TRT (with the title Resim Sevinci), German television (BR-Alpha), Discovery Real Time (Sky Digital channel 240/Virgin Media channel 271) in the UK, NHK in Japan, EBS in South Korea and Once TV in Mexico, ATV and ICable TV in Hong Kong, IRIB in Iran and the Colombian state channel Canal Capital.

The show continues to be broadcast in syndication on public television stations, and continues a multi-million dollar spin-off business bearing Ross's name that sells art accessories related to the show. Reruns are sometimes packaged under the title Best of the Joy of Painting.

The show airs regularly on the PBS digital subchannel Create.

The show's theme tune is "Interlude", by L. Owens.

Format

Each show began with Ross standing with a blank canvas in front of a black background. In under thirty minutes, Ross would turn the blank canvas into an imaginary landscape, using the wet-on-wet oil painting technique, in which the painter continues adding paint on top of still wet paint rather than waiting a lengthy amount of time to allow each layer of paint to dry.[1] Combining this method with the use of two inch and other types of brushes as well as painting knives allowed Ross to paint trees, water, clouds and mountains in a matter of seconds. Each painting would start with simple strokes that appeared to be nothing more than colored smudges. As he added more and more strokes, the blotches transformed into intricate landscapes.[2] The paintings featured colors like titanium white, phthalo green (a color used often, but in small quantities), phthalo blue, prussian blue, midnight black, dark sienna, Van Dyke brown, alizarin crimson, sap green, cadmium yellow (or "cad yellow" for short), yellow ochre, Indian yellow, and bright red. (On occasion, he used burnt umber and permanent red.) As he painted, he instructed viewers regarding the techniques he was using and added his trademark soothing comments describing the "happy little clouds" and "happy little trees" that he was creating with his brush. He would also mention snippets of his own life, including his military career and the time he spent in Alaska, family anecdotes, and his affection for small animals, which he raised and set free. The show would occasionally feature video of Ross with a baby squirrel or deer. He became known for his soothing tone and reassuring comments; "We don't make mistakes, we just have happy accidents." Each program was shot in real time with two cameras: a medium shot of Ross and his canvas, and a close-up shot of the canvas or palette.

Occasionally, Ross would introduce a guest painter to host an episode. Guests included Dana Jester[3] and Ross's son Steve.

Cultural references

A Far Side cartoon shows Bob Ross on TV, talking about "happy little trees", while the home artist has been crushed to death by a tree falling through the wall of his house.

Video game

In March 2006, AGFRAG Entertainment Group announced that it was in the process of developing a video game based on The Joy of Painting for the Nintendo DS and Wii console systems and for the personal computer. The games would focus on the art of painting in the Bob Ross style.[4] In December 2006, Bob Ross Incorporated dropped developer AGFRAG from the project and began searching for a new developer.[5]

Funding

  • The Martin/F. Weber Company
  • North Light Books
  • The Artist's Magazine
  • Hobby Lobby Stores
  • Michaels Arts and Crafts Stores
  • The Bob Ross Memorial Fund (for closed-captioning)

References

  1. ^ Bob Ross Bio - Bob Ross Biography - Bob Ross Stories
  2. ^ Thill, Scott (2008-09-05). "Annuals + Bob Ross = Such Fun". Wired. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  3. ^ Sally Schenck (director). "Sunlight in Shadows". The Joy of Painting. Season 27. Episode 10. PBS. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |seriesno=, |began=, |episodelink=, |ended=, |city=, and |serieslink= (help)
  4. ^ Casamassina, Matt (2006-03-31). "Bob Ross Paints on Revolution: Yes, it's true - the famous cult painter goes virtual on Nintendo's new generation platform". IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
  5. ^ Ashcraft, Brian (2006-12-07). "Bob Ross Game Still On, Folks". Kotaku. Retrieved 2007-10-21.