Best of the Joy of Painting :: Education by Design Store

Customer Reviews

Ideas for the budding artist.

2006-03-23
I found this book full of ideas and gives the brain the chance to see Beauty in this sometimes sad world.I have found that each book I have bought, including this one, gives the artist a sure fire way of producing something...even though I now tend to use imagination .Simply illustrated and easy to follow,you will be happy to follow Bob in his Wonderful Lessons.Excellent and instructive for the beginner and the established painter.

Did Van Gogh have a 'fro?

2002-05-30
It is ironic that the best recommendation for this book comes from someone who gave it one star! Study this book and you will be able to do what Bob does... Serious growing dynamic artists will surely look beyond this book but maybe they should at least take a peek. If Van Gogh had been as loved and/or recognizable in his time as Bob Ross was, he probably wouldn't have cut his own ear off. As a nearly elderly weekend painter I heartily recommend this book. I think my only visual handicap so far is that it's time for new bifocals though the visually verbose would certainly disagree.

great for new artists

2001-10-20
I have never personally been a big fan of Bob Ross, but as an art teacher who only spends 2 hrs a week with my students, I can say that this book is perfect for them. My students love his style because they can can complete a very simple, yet beautiful painting in a very short amount of time. I wouldn't recomend it for more advanced artists, but if you are not trying to win any awards, and just want to complete a quick and beautiful painting, this has a lot of great examples.

Not Recommended

2001-05-26
I have always enjoyed Bob Ross' style of painting and am a devoted fan of his television show, but I found this book lacking. Not only are the step-by-step instructions in black and white, but I found that very few of these particular paintings were ones I cared to paint. I believe I'll stick to the television show where I can see and hear the nuances of his painting live.

Bob was a wonderful guy but don't listen to a word he said

2000-11-10
I love bob, you love bob many people grew up listening and watching Bob Ross every saturday (or whenever it was broadcasted where you live). He made numerous paintings and with his afro hair and warm demeanor he made for wonderful television, but honestly not good art. If you are at all serious about creating growing, dynamic, personal artworks of any style then reading and taking to heart the writtings of Bob Ross is a mistake. I love Bob and have nothing against him only that his sugestions lead to ruts and visual handicaps that will take a lifetime to forget. His theorys on mark making are so simplistic that if his visual language was translated into a written one it would take all of one page to list the verbs. It is a bad idea to take to heart his style, love him, talk about him, keep him in your heat but remeber that he was making a show that was the same format every time and was catering to a elderly/weekend painter audience. Study this book and you will be able to do what Bob does, pump out a simple landscape painting in one hour or less, and nothing more........ Love him but don't follow him.

Not in color....

2008-05-17
I was so looking forward to this book. I wanted to follow the step by step instructions and to hopefully improve my technique.

These Joy of Painting books are ridiculous. The idea is fantastic, follow step-by-step instructions.

All the instructions are in black and white!!! You can't even figure out what they're trying to show because the photos are tiny and a bit blurry.

Whomever decided to print these in black and white wasn't too bright.

It's a waste of money. Instead invest in "Oils: Step by Step Art School" by Patricia Seligman.
It gives really good, important, clear and concise information and instruction for beginners.

Shows the shortcomings

2008-03-23
The idea behind Ross' concept of wet painting may be intriguing, but, as this book shows, the results cannot match any seriously crafted oil painting. The paintings all look the same and have the same faded 80ies style. I would not even recommend this book (or style of painting) to novices as it would spoil your technique and hinder you in developing your own style. This is not instant art. It`s instant trash. Sorry. And yes I have bought this book and am allowed to review it.

A wonderful book!

2007-09-01
Even if you never picked up a brush. Or didn't know how to read. Anyone could get an idea from this book. Maybe it's boring to others. Maybe because he does everthing step by step. So that you can make your own creations. I have never used oils in my life. But I wanted to learn. My Grandmother was a great artist. But when she could teach me, I was to young. When I was old enough, she passed away. I hope she can look down and see. I really did enjoy what she made. Now, I can make something beautiful too. I bought this and the red cover book. Super

An Abundance Of "Happy Old Trees"

2006-08-01
Good old Bob Ross! I used to watch his series in high school and his shows were great. This book conveys their tone and has the added bonus of giving us his finished landscapes to look at as long as we want. I got this book so I could see the paintings, but under his step by step instruction I've also tried my hand at creating my own---and making art this nice isn't as easy as Bob makes it look! Whether you want to use this as a how-to guide for your own time in front of a canvas, or you simply like Bob Ross' artwork, this is a friendly visit with everyone's favorite PBS guru of oil painting.

The Joy of Painting

2006-06-30
I actually purchased this book as a gift. The comments I received were: Good book but, not much variety in details of paintings.