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The Best Episodes of The Joy of Painting

Every episode of The Joy of Painting ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Joy of Painting!

Binge this in 7d 9h•Peaking at 9.9/10

The Joy of Painting was an American television show hosted by painter Bob Ross that taught its viewers techniques for landscape oil painting. Although Ross could complete a painting in half an hour, the intent

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Joy of Painting Season 8 Episode 4 - Waterside Way
    9.9/10(51 votes)

    #1 - Waterside Way

    S8:E4

    A wilderness path leads you to the side of a still lake in a setting that Bob Ross accents with an abundance of trees.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Joy of Painting Season 8 Episode 5 - Hunter's Haven
    9.9/10(48 votes)

    #2 - Hunter's Haven

    S8:E5

    Bob Ross’ exciting use of blue, yellow and orange hues brings vibrancy to this wood side setting and dream cabin beside a clear blue lake.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The Joy of Painting Season 8 Episode 11 - Mountain Range
    9.9/10(46 votes)

    #3 - Mountain Range

    S8:E11

    Guest painter Steve Ross uses lots of color in this stirring depiction of giant peaks behind foothills opening onto a smooth lake.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The Joy of Painting Season 5 Episode 11 - Autumn Glory
    9.8/10(55 votes)

    #4 - Autumn Glory

    S5:E11

    In this landscape Bob Ross paints a far away mountain snuggled in with bright green trees and bushes mirrored in glistening waters.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The Joy of Painting Season 6 Episode 2 - Nature's Edge
    9.8/10(52 votes)

    #5 - Nature's Edge

    S6:E2

    Imagine yourself nestled in a Bob Ross cabin, hidden in the midst of the plush green forest surrounded by the sounds of nature.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The Joy of Painting Season 6 Episode 3 - Morning Mist
    9.8/10(56 votes)

    #6 - Morning Mist

    S6:E3

    Fresh morning lake and succulent evergreens -- watch Bob Ross create a peaceful, dewy brown mountain scene.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Joy of Painting

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  7. The Joy of Painting Season 6 Episode 4 - Whispering Stream
    9.8/10(55 votes)

    #7 - Whispering Stream

    S6:E4

    Narrow, winding, rocky – this little Bob Ross style creek moves closer and closer, flowing aimlessly through a happy little meadow forest.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The Joy of Painting Season 6 Episode 10 - Country Life
    9.8/10(46 votes)

    #8 - Country Life

    S6:E10

    Bob Ross takes us home to the farm -- a big red barn and long rickety wooden fence – capturing our very vivid childhood memories.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The Joy of Painting Season 6 Episode 11 - Western Expanse
    9.8/10(42 votes)

    #9 - Western Expanse

    S6:E11

    Powerful clouds, rolling hills and winding river waters -- Bob Ross creates this masterpiece using only his special painting knife.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The Joy of Painting Season 6 Episode 13 - Blaze of Color
    9.8/10(43 votes)

    #10 - Blaze of Color

    S6:E13

    Evening sky sets in, giving way to a perfect glow -- watch a black canvas come to life under the magic brushes of Bob Ross.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. The Joy of Painting Season 7 Episode 2 - Secluded Lake
    9.8/10(40 votes)

    #11 - Secluded Lake

    S7:E2

    With brush in hand, Bob Ross leads you on a summertime nature walk, as you uncover the beauty of leafy trees and pond.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The Joy of Painting Season 7 Episode 4 - Mountain Cabin
    9.8/10(51 votes)

    #12 - Mountain Cabin

    S7:E4

    To capture the innocence of a stream-side cottage, Bob Ross creates a giant mountain standing majestically in the distance.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. The Joy of Painting Season 7 Episode 8 - Mountain Splendor
    9.8/10(41 votes)

    #13 - Mountain Splendor

    S7:E8

    It’s almost fall, and Bob Ross captures the undaunted power and charm of a mighty brown mountain surveying its rustic surroundings.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. The Joy of Painting Season 8 Episode 3 - Warm Winter Day
    9.8/10(38 votes)

    #14 - Warm Winter Day

    S8:E3

    The field of snow and the little cabin yield to the bright, orange sun -- Bob Ross conveys harmony in this cold, but cozy scene.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. The Joy of Painting Season 8 Episode 8 - Foot of the Mountain
    9.8/10(49 votes)

    #15 - Foot of the Mountain

    S8:E8

    A lake and some tall trees pay homage to a commanding mountain in the background, as a cabin stands nearby -- a classic Bob Ross creation.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The Joy of Painting Season 8 Episode 10 - Cactus at Sunset
    9.8/10(44 votes)

    #16 - Cactus at Sunset

    S8:E10

    A path of cacti and rocks lead right up to a bold sun setting in a dramatic red sky, all from the delicate motions of Bob Ross’ paint brush.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The Joy of Painting Season 9 Episode 2 - Surf's Up
    9.8/10(40 votes)

    #17 - Surf's Up

    S9:E2

    Feel the salt spray as Bob Ross paints ocean waves under abundant clouds, rolling in to spend their energy against sand and rock.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Joy of Painting Season 9 Episode 3 - Red Sunset
    9.8/10(40 votes)

    #18 - Red Sunset

    S9:E3

    Warm light in sky and clouds makes this a glowing, fiery landscape -- Bob Ross teaches the use of his technique on black canvas.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. The Joy of Painting Season 11 Episode 8 - Sunset Oval
    9.8/10(37 votes)

    #19 - Sunset Oval

    S11:E8

    Bob Ross uses a golden selection of colors in this gorgeous fall mountain scene, all within a cleverly different oval shape on canvas.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. The Joy of Painting Season 12 Episode 2 - Mountain Reflections
    9.8/10(40 votes)

    #20 - Mountain Reflections

    S12:E2

    With his trusty brushes, Bob Ross takes us to a beautiful lake hideaway nestled below a towering mountain.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The Joy of Painting Season 13 Episode 12 - Oval Essence
    9.8/10(39 votes)

    #21 - Oval Essence

    S13:E12

    Bob Ross’ dramatic use of blue tones results in an emotional depiction of stark waves at night – all tucked inside an oval shape.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Joy of Painting Season 29 Episode 7 - Cypress Creek
    9.8/10(18 votes)

    #22 - Cypress Creek

    S29:E7

    Take a stroll with Bob Ross deep into the swamp and breathe in the fragrances of damp earth and moss-filled trees on a rill bank.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The Joy of Painting Season 4 Episode 9 - Cool Waters
    9.7/10(54 votes)

    #23 - Cool Waters

    S4:E9

    Bob Ross captures the beauty of Alaska on canvas: clear skies, soft cottony clouds, snow covered mountains and breathtaking crystal lake.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. The Joy of Painting Season 4 Episode 12 - Autumn Days
    9.7/10(56 votes)

    #24 - Autumn Days

    S4:E12

    In the still of the night, trees reflect off the glistening pond and cool breeze of blows as Bob Ross takes you on this black canvas adventure.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. The Joy of Painting Season 5 Episode 1 - Mountain Waterfall
    9.7/10(60 votes)

    #25 - Mountain Waterfall

    S5:E1

    Bob Ross creates a tiny waterfall tucked beside a glassy lake, while surrounded by snowy majestic peaks and distant evergreens.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Waterside Way" is the best rated episode of "The Joy of Painting". It scored 9.9/10 based on 51 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/23/1986. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Hunter's Haven".