I used to watch the Bob Ross Joy of Painting shows on Sky. Watched them every day and admired the ease with which this charming man could coax a beautiful painting into life with so few strokes of the brush. His skill was in achieving much with little and easily. I was convinced that his style could be applied to any novice and reasonable success would follow.
There were no instructors in his technique in my part of the country so I kept it as one of those things to get around to someday. That was about 9 years ago, I think. My word, how time flies when you’re not watching the clock.
Anyway, I found out today via Google that there is a local instructor who has a 1 day workshop every month or so. I just missed the last two, which were last weekend. No matter. There is another in about 5 weeks so I’ve spoken to them and I’ll be attending. Quite honestly, it’s money right now we could do without spending, but I’m a bit past caring on that front as things are so tight. What is of interest to me is that this is a course quite literally on my doorstep. I’ll have no travel, or accommodation to pay for and I will spend only the time for the course, not for travelling.
The paintings Bob Ross produced were never likely to hang in a ‘proper’ art gallery, but they looked mighty fun to do and would cheer up most homes. I suppose, too, that over time one would learn to adapt the techniques to produce a truly personal piece of work. Whatever the relative merits of his work, I for one shall be pleased to learn how to emulate what he did. As a starting point it seems a good one, offering early success and encouragement that it’s actually possible to paint without years of art school training. I do not want to be a great artist, just as I do not want to be a great chef. But I do want to be able to put something down on canvas that pleases me and isn’t too out of place on my walls.
I shall enjoy every minute of my day and working with other people will be a great joy. Normally I would steer clear of anything that involved group interaction (as an intensely individual chap I prefer solitude generally), but this day and group I am looking forward to immensely.
The finished article should be at least passable – so I’m led to believe – so I’ll post a picture of it when it’s done.
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