I Tried To Paint Like Bob Ross Once, Then I Quit

I hated that my painting didn’t look like his.

Photo by SUNBEAM PHOTOGRAPHY on Unsplash

I remember it so clearly.

I was watching Bob Ross do his magic on the TV, and I had a sudden inspiration that I wanted to do it as well.

Bob made it look so easy. His happy little bushes just emerged on the screen, and I got so much joy from watching him paint.

Once in a while, he would say, “For those following at home, I am using Burnt Umber, Raw Sienna……”

Hmmmmm ‘for those following at home.’ I would think.

Maybe I could also follow at home? He even listed the colors to use!

“All you need is the desire to make beautiful things happen on canvas.” -Bob Ross

YES! I was sure that I could do this also.

The view from my parent's back deck in Canmore where I grew up. I had endless inspiration for Bobs’ style of painting. Photo Credit: Author

I was around 12 years old. Some will have read my account of becoming an artist and will learn that at this age, I largely left my artistic career behind.

I now wonder if this incident was also a contributor to that.

My Artist Story — I Didn’t Know That I Was an Artist

I took a long way around.

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I remember asking for an oil painting set. I don’t know if it was for my birthday, or Christmas, I just remember that it was a request.

Eventually, I did get the set, but obviously, it came with no instructions. I still remember what it looked like. It was a large red plastic case that had a white plastic insert that slid out like a drawer. Inside was a set of some colors, some brushes, and even palette knives. I think it even came with some flat canvases.

I was set!

I was ecstatic and got ready to do my first lesson with Bob Ross. I set out all of my supplies, turned on the TV, and waited for my instructions. However, the instructions came very fast! I was still scrambling to find my colors, and Bob had already painted half a mountain!

How was I supposed to keep up with him?

I quickly got my colors sorted out, then tried to do what he was doing. But it was a mess! I couldn’t do what he was doing and I couldn’t keep up.

I remember being so frustrated with all of it. I was heartbroken. I really wanted to paint like Bob Ross, but obviously, I couldn’t. At the tender age of 12, I admitted defeat.

My oil painting kit was chucked in my closet, and I don’t think that I ever used it again!

This whole recollection has me wondering some things.

How many of us admit defeat after trying just once?
How many of us assume that something will be easy, but once it is challenging, we give up?

This is such a classic tale, isn’t it?

Trying something once and expecting to be good at it is a problem that many of us have. I can think of other instances even in adulthood where I have tried something once, then thought I was bad at it, and gave up.

Why do we do this to ourselves? Why do we think that we have to be perfect at something right off the bat?

Most artists take many years to perfect their skills. They also don’t come out of the gate, guns a-blazing. Of course, some are gifted with different artistic skills, and if they have the opportunity, they can hone those skills. But many take many years to create their own look and style of their art.

I’m sure even Bob Ross took some time to get his techniques mastered.

In general, I believe that one of humanity's greatest problems is the want for instant gratification. If we can’t get it figured out right away, we give up.

We need to start being patient with ourselves. We need to realize that learning new skills takes time.

It’s time to understand that failures are only the path to success!

Don’t be like my 12-year-old self! If you are trying something new, don’t stop after the first time, and certainly if you feel like you have failed.

Give it another shot, try again, and bit by bit you will get better and better!

Happy creating!

xo Jill

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