“Through his 30-minute demonstrations, he [Bob Ross] simultaneously demystified the act of painting while still making it look like a magic trick. First, there was nothing on the canvas, then, in an impossibly short span of time, there was a landscape. But he told us how he did it, every step of the way.
“To this day, I find this duality part of what makes art so special to me, as somebody who actively creates it. Even though I’m conscious of, and highly focused on the decisions I make, and the order in which I make them, while drawing, it’s still magical to see the art materialize on the page.
“Nothing, then something. Presto.”
Kyle T Webster, “The Bob Ross of Adobe”
A painting or drawing is less “something from nothing” and more “something started with a blank sheet using everything you’ve learnt and remembered and tried and repeated”.
Having ingrained knowledge of what your materials can and might do means you’re able to subconsciously decide what to use and how as you’re painting. You “go with the flow” by instinctively reaching out to the options you’ve to hand, rather than faffing about considering all the options every single time. Fewer choices make it easier, and hasten the pace at which you learn what a material or colour does.
You may not like what Bob Ross did with fan brush, but you have to admire his dexterity with it. And his two-inch brush. And his palette knife. And dealing with happy accidents.
Dear Marion – I loved the Bob Ross post I remember watching him with my dad – a self taught painter – and seeing the Demo at Patchings – where I met you. My dad is literally on his last breath – almost 91 but will go and join my mum this week. It’s been a long journey with Alzheimer’s but watching him as I grew up create, like Bob, something from nothing, was magical. Jax x
Patchings is where I took the photo of myself with the cutout Bob Ross! Wishing you lots of memories of the good times and creations of your dad as you go forward.