Bob Ross- Friend or Foe?

Many artists dismiss the value of Bob Ross' instructions. They claim that he doesn't teach art, but only how to copy his paintings. Well, that is true in a sense. But, I think there is value in his teaching method for beginners.

Bob Ross demonstrates various painting methods. First of all, his technique is called wet-on-wet painting. When he begins a demonstration, he almost always starts with a canvas that has been painted with a thin coat of liquid white. The liquid white is a base that allows easy blending of color and variation as is important when painting the sky.

The use of the palette knife and various brushes are thoroughly demonstrated by Bob Ross. How could you paint a happy tree without the use of a fan brush? Well, of course there are other methods to painting trees, but the point is that Bob Ross gives the beginner practice at such basic skills.

Copying is not self-expression, which I think is the foundation of art. However, Bob Ross instruction books and/or videos are not a bad place to begin to get acquainted with oil painting. Bob Ross gives beginners confidence and basic skills that increase their comfort with oil painting.