Bob ross

[Blahm]

i want to learn to paint and was thinking about getting some bob ross DVD's. Anyone have any thoughts about learning to paint from this guy? I always watched that show as a kid.

[bracomadar]

He had a studio around where I live where people could learn his technique in a class. They said it worked for them. My art teacher didn't like his work and said it reminded her of art you'd find in a motel. I liked his work though. If you like his paintings, I say go for it.

[madplanet]

As far as technique is concerned, you'll get something out of it, but I wouldn't look to him for creativity. As with anything take what you can use and disregard the rest.

My dad met him once and said he is exactly like what you see on the shows, talking softly and slowly. He said that he was a nice guy, though.

[Blahm]

thanks for the reples. the reason i ask is that ive read things about bob teaching people bad painting habits that are hard to get rid of. because most of his paintings only take an hour to do. i just dont want to start on the wrong foot i suppose.

[otis]

Don't listen to them. One artists "bad habits" are another's artist's ideal skills.

BTW, the so called art teacher who said "his work reminded her of art you'd find in a motel" is only bitter becuase her work isn't worth a fraction what his is.

The only bad foot to start off on in art is being critical of others. Just do your thing, and if you enjoy what your learning, that's all that matters.

[Monkeylizard]

BTW, the so called art teacher who said "his work reminded her of art you'd find in a motel" is only jeolouse becuase her work isn't worth a fraction what his is.

rofl

My art teacher was Bob Ross for Halloween last year...

But yeah, it's entirely up to you.

[acid]

lets just add a happy little bush down here... right here in the corner, it'll be a happy bush, and we can add some friends for it, and a few friendly branches

[Helium Macaroni]

Do they make Thomas Kinkade DVDs too?!

[wazabi]

Thomas Kinkade...the brightest mind to attend Art Center although I believe he never graduated.
He should make "How to make a billion making cheap art" DVD.
I would buy it.

[otis]

I don't know why this is.. but artist are the most elitest bunch of idiots. When are you going to except the fact that art is subjective, and individual opinions and critics are just a bunch of hot air?

You may not like a lot of know artists (Kinkdae, Bob Ross, Picasso, whoever..)
But the fact remians that millions of people do. For one reason or another...it all comes down to who knows you! Art is subjective for many reasons, and bitching, criticizing and being jelous wont get artists anywhere.

[Helium Macaroni]

Who the f said we didn't like Thomas Kinkade? The man is a god.. I mean why do you think wazabi and I went to Art Center in the first place?

[bracomadar]

Actually, she didn't say she hated the guy, just that his work didn't fit her taste. She was a big fan of Georgia O'Keeffe's work. I did a landscape one time and told her it was going to look like a Bob Ross painting. She laughed and said, "Ok, you do that." After I was finished and she saw it she laughed again and said, "Well, you did it. Bob would be proud." :confident

[Phuzion]

Oo! Oo! I think Kinkade sucks! I've looked through about 30 of his books hoping to find something that qualified him as an actual artist, and not just a good business known and loved by organized religious families... but I didn't. I would sit next to kids in class every day that could paint circles around him. He was a mediocre student at ACCD at best. And yes, we are elitist... that's why we're artists. If art was completely subjective there would be no standards for quality and you WOULD have Kinkade right next to Picasso, but last I checked Kinkade did not change the face of art and society, unless it was to create pink and yellow street-lamp misconceptions of midwestern life. So no, he's no where near as valid as Picasso and you should repremand yourself for saying so. Never mind the passersby that might think you're nuts.

But, back to the actual topic... I learned to do reflections from Bob Ross when I was a tike (a little known secret), so he did have some useful tricks. Every artist has SOMETHING they're good at... except maybe Kinkade :P

[0kelvin]

Bob Ross is like the most relaxing man on the planet. He's like a freakin' hypnotist! Whenever I was flipping through the channels and his show was on, if I didn't immediately change the channel I was stuck there until the show was over. It was physically impossible to turn it off. He put me in a trance with his damn soothing voice.



0kelvin

[Qitsune]

Doesn't Bob Ross do exclusively lanscapes in wet on wet oil? If that is the case, yes you will learn many useful things, but many of them won't be transferable to characters or acrylic paints. I once took classes like that. I learn a few useful things... like how to make a bush or a fir tree.

[otis]

Hey, I think Worhal and Picaso were more into making statements then art. But my opinion doesn't really matter when it comes to art, becuase ART is more than a pretty image. Art can really be anything, even if it's just a statement.

[jetpack42]

I don't know why this is.. but artist are the most elitest bunch of idiots. When are you going to except the fact that art is subjective, and individual opinions and critics are just a bunch of hot air?


so there isn't a whole bunch of filmmakers who think Michael Bay and Joel Schumaker are crap? A bunch of musicians who think Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys are crap? A bunch of businessmen who think Microsoft is crap?

A bunch of sales means: a bunch of people bought it. It doesn't mean it was good.

[otis]

...it must not be bad if people like it.

[jetpack42]

People "liking" something isn't proof of anything, logically speaking. You'll find people who like everything. And certainly, you can't argue that everything is good.

[bracomadar]

A lot of people bought Pokemon stuff. I think they're crap. Of course I thought Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were awesome, but I'm sure a lot of adults at the time thought they were crap. It's all about a matter of taste, and money. It also has to do with popularity. A lot of people just do stuff because others are doing it and they want to fit in. However, they deep down don't really care about what they buy, watch, or listen to as long as it brings them friends. Take cell phones. I hate cell phones because everyone thinks they have to have one. I get along fine with out one. I'm sure they are beneficial to some, but NOT EVERYONE NEEDS THEM!!! They annoy the heck out of me because all my friends have them and I never can reach them because they expect me to leave a stupid voice mail. By the time they get around to checking their voice mail and returning my call I could have just written them a letter and snail mailed it to them. When I do talk to them they are in the middle of nowhere and it sounds like I'm talking to Neil Armstrong on the moon. :bs: My god I've turned a Bob Ross post into my eternal rant against cell phones.

[Phuzion]

I don't know why this is.. but artist are the most elitest bunch of idiots. When are you going to except the fact that art is subjective, and individual opinions and critics are just a bunch of hot air?

Yeah, sorry, you lose with this statement, man. The fact that art is subjective, and individual opinions don't matter... meaning that it is no longer subjective. Subjectivism is based 100% on individual opinion... so your objective-subjective statement negated your entire argument. Thomas Kinkade sucks.

[DragonGX]

I :heart: bob ross

[jrr]

there are two types of people in the world,

A. THOSE WHO LOVE BOB ROSS

and

B. LOSERS!

[Dizon]

Yeah, sorry, you lose with this statement, man. The fact that art is subjective, and individual opinions don't matter... meaning that it is no longer subjective. Subjectivism is based 100% on individual opinion... so your objective-subjective statement negated your entire argument. Thomas Kinkade sucks.


I'm not familiar with Kinkade. Why do you think he sucks ?

[Phuzion]

Okay, well I shouldn't say he sucks, cause I've seen people a lot worse than he is. But I would not call him an artist. He's a business man... and a damn good one at that... like Todd McFarlane :P

[Peter Konig]

did that idiot list kinkade, ross and picasso in the same same breath? No...couldn't have, that would be ridiculous.

[Chingwa]

Wasn't it Andy Warhol who said "Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art"...

I wouldn't derail Kinkade as not being an artist just because you don't personally like his work. I don't like his work either but just because of that I'm not going to belittle it. It takes skill and talent to do what he does... more skill and talent than is common in this world otherwise there would be a thousand and 1 kinkades all painting saccharine houses and shit.... and wouldn't we all be throwing up on ourselves then?

So let's just be thankful the man is uniquely his own and all concentrate ourselves on being uniquely our own.

[Chingwa]

Oh yeah... and Bob Ross (and William Alexander... why does he get so little recognition?) made me want to be an artist. If you're a beginner and you want to get into painting I think it's a great introduction to use his books/materials.

[wazabi]

I am sure if you are an artist you take pride in your work and the fact that you are an artist.

Its not Kinkade's skills that sucks but how he degrades art by making cheap shitty art on a dinner plate and building galleries on a fucking mall that sucks. This lowers the value of other art and artists.

It is just fucking hilarious to see some of you guys naming Kinkade next to Warhol and Picasso. Can you buy their art in a mall?

It takes skill and talent to do what he does... more skill and talent than is common in this world otherwise there would be a thousand and 1 kinkades all painting saccharine houses and shit.... and wouldn't we all be throwing up on ourselves then?

There actually is a thousand and 1 kinkades because he hires artists to paint for him just like a factory that mass produces cheap art.

Am I jelous of him? Hell Yeah, not because his a good artist but because his a billionare. Like others said he is a hella good business man.

[Blahm]

piccaso was a good artist.

warhol and pollock are more in the same legue with eachother as far as whack art .

But yea im going to try and get ahold of some bob ross shwag and get painting!

[otis]

Smellybug, I was just randomly listing a bunch of completely different artists...I was'nt comparing them to eachother. My point is it's a waste of time criticizing artists.

Wazabi, I completely don't see where you are comming from on how Kinkade is having some kind of effect on you and other artists with the way he conducts his business? You think that merchandising your art is cheap and degrading? You think that having your art in galleries (stores) all around the world, somhow lessens your value?

Little lesson in value: The more people who know you = The more you are valued. It's not important what you paint or how you paint it. It's more important that people know your paintings.

And YES, I think Worhal especialy would be capitalizing like Kinkade if he could've. The fact that Worhal was stuck using older reproduction methods for his work, I think he would've been the first to use the computer, Giclee printing etc. Worhal was all about mass production.

Kinkade has come out of the closet on his "enhancing" staff. They do not paint his pictures, they just "enhance" them..(which is a practice that con's buyers into thinking they are getting somthing more valuable than just a print.)

You think you will survive as an unknown artist selling only your originals? You could...but then again it's possible to win the lottery too. Good luck.

[Dizon]

Warhol....Warhol....Warhol....

hehe

[otis]

OOPS! Warhol
He is one of the only people I've ever learned about who could prove his own point.

And, how much does a Warhol go for now.....?

[Ilaekae]

Lets just put a happy happy little otis right down there...next to a happy happy little jrr and a happy happy little Blahm...

...there...isn't that just so ...happy...?









:)

[jetpack42]

so, if I understand you correctly otis, you are as good of a painter as how many people know you?

Thats what I am gathering, because you keep referring to artists and how popular and/or "valued", but you never say much about thier skills or the quality of thier work, which is what I've always assumed was a prime qualification to be a "good painter"...to have good painting skills. Nevermind that thier paintings are boring/crappy/lame...they're well known! They command a high price! That makes them a good painter? I fail to see the connection. Knowing lots of people doesn't make me a good musician....or a good dancer....or a good chef....or a good ________ .

So, using logic, either none of those (except painting, of course) is "art", or "art" requires some "skills" (ie:technical knowhow).

Just as music has rythem, harmony, key (these are definitions of what music is...) so is painting the use of paint with shapes, values, edges....that you cannot get around. No matter how you lay down the paint, it will have a shape....an edge...a value...a color....

In visual art, there is vast amounts of room for creativity and expression, but without any skills to properly execute, how can the finish have proper merit? Name any other artistic/creative experience that one can survive on creativity alone? Why is painting, or visual art, any exception?


edit: btw, this is nothing personal otis. I'm just discussing. I am just unable to understand where you are coming from, and trying to spell out why. These sorts of discussions really interest me, and I like hearing others views, and in breaking down my own, I understand them better or adapt to new ones. :yayca:

[DragonGX]

Bob Ross got me into oil painting, and while I'm not exactly impressed with his body of work, I haev respect for him, becasue I'm suer he's start many artists on thepath to becoming accomplished oil painters.. If they admit it or not. :teeth:


Besides, how could you hate a guy with an afro who talks like him?

[Sim]

What about Bob Ross' artist products?

I'm bringing this up because I grudgingly purchased a bottle of some "bob ross medium" from Michaels Arts and Crafts. Believe it or not they didn't carry liquin, and no other art stores were open today. It was fairly cheap, but what I wonder is if the "no additional dryer need be added" disclaimer on the bottle is any indication that this stuff already has drier in the mix...

I absolutely NEED to start putting paint down today so I guess one way or another I'll find out. I don't suppose anyone around here would be brave enough to admit that they know something about a Bob Ross product....I'm sure most of you would rather use olive oil from your cupboard before going near it. :)

[Poohgee]

"lets just add a happy little bush down here... right here in the corner, it'll be a happy bush, and we can add some friends for it, and a few friendly branches"

- xactly :D ..

I think hes hilarious ...

He is shown on German TV in the middle of the night ..

So when Uve drunk a bit .. U know what to do ..

Start painting with Bob :D !!!!!!!!!

As madplanet said ... anything is useful in some way .. just have to figure out in what way its of use to you .

[Bruce Pluto]

just to put in my 2 cents,

if art is produce like fastfood is it art? What if its cookie cutter art like I've heard some artwork called?

If its bought its art to somebody. Which may cause it to fall into the catigory of "The ART of making MONEY". Is this good or bad art or cheapen things in a way?

kind of a question really, Bruce

[figure2]

if art is produce like fastfood is it art? What if its cookie cutter art like I've heard some artwork called?

If its bought its art to somebody. Which may cause it to fall into the catigory of "The ART of making MONEY". Is this good or bad art or cheapen things in a way?If you draw and paint because of an inner compulsion then you're an artist. If you earn money by selling your art, then art is your occupation. If you get a TV show where people watch you paint for a half-hour and people buy your own line of brushes, paints, mediums, etc., then you're home-free ;)

[Elwell]

if art is produce like fastfood is it art?
Sure it's art, in the same way that fast food is food.

[ApolloNuevo]

anybody seen any of kinkade's plein air studies? i thought he was pretty crappy too until i saw some of those. it kinda validated him a little more as an artist for me

-apollo

[Elwell]

I think Kinkade's plein air paintings are only impressive because his "finished" work has lowered our expectations so much. They're perfectly competent, but completely unexceptional. If anything, the fact that he can produce work like that only makes his finished paintings less valid, in that he's consciously choosing to make schlocky art.