The Curious Case Of The Missing Bob Ross Painting Tool!

Bob Ross has over 400 episodes of him painting landscapes, BUT one episode still baffles artists to this very day. In episode 10 from season 2, "The Lazy River" we can see Bob using a mysterious paint gun. What is this tool and why was it only used once? In this episode of Art Mythbusting, we take a look at this mysterious art tool.

Special Thanks To Jon Grim AKA @Theartistblock

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[trumpetbob]

When the Bob Ross Experience opened in Indiana, I was given a chance to hear Joan Kowalski speak. In the Q&A, I asked about this device. She said it was a device Bob created (similar to how he created his easel out of a step ladder) with the goal of giving those who suffer from hand issues an easier way to make tree limbs. However, Bob found that it was unnecessary. As Bob says in later episodes, having a shaky hand actually helps in creating the realism of the branches and so he realized it was better for students to draw their own, shaky limbs instead of using this tool.

[dalecullenart]

I spoke to Bob’s son, Steve about this. It was Bob’s own design that he hoped to market. Turns out it was not financially feasible to make and distribute.

There was a gyroscope type device in it that Bob designed. Without it, you could not control the amount of paint that came out when holding it at different angles.

Again, this is according to Steve Ross, Bob’s son. We spoke about this in October 2020.

Not trying to “poo poo” your conclusions. Just letting you know what Steve told me.

[everlastingarms]

I always assumed he had a small brush at the end of it, like the one he uses to sign his paintings. Also, "a thin paint sticks to a thick paint." I'm guessing this used a thin paint that allowed the liquid to keep the brush wet with paint in a similar way to a tube of toothpaste, but thin, more like the way a toenail fungus medicine would be applied. The fungus medicine is almost like water, but is contained in a toothpaste-like tube with a thin brush at the end of it. Squeeze the tube, and apply the medicine to the toe via the now-wet brush.

I always got a kick out of it when Bob used the device and said, "I'm gonna cheat here...."

[jamesbarlage]

TBH, I don’t feel like it was solved 😂

[chrisgross]

It's a old grease gun he modified. When I was a mechanic the old guy that taught me had one like it, I've never seen one like it before since. You most likely will never run into one these days.

[duchessstudioband]

I did a painting that got the same results. Blackcanvas with magic white. The branches, thin, were done with a palette knife, creating thin and delicate branches. The rest of the painting was a snow scape. It works great. You need black canvas tho. So when you scrape theough the magic white layer you get the black layer up. Another method to get those fine branches.

[cyndykated]

That’s very interesting..thanks! I’ve taken four classes from a certified Bob Ross instructor...only two schools in the U.S. offer the 3 week certification course...glad I found an instructor in my area..it’s been really great.

[King_Dummy_Yt]

MYSTERY SOLVED! It is a late 1970's cake/cookie icing decorating press gun, with the fine line tip! You're welcome :)

[nellacoiro]

In season 2, episode 5, he usually the same tool. I think that the cheapest way to duplicate this is with a glue gun and black cartridges.

[johnjohn]

Don’t forget Bob studied to be an engineer.

[beanverse]

The thumbnail made it look like he was painting with one of the happy little birds he rescued haha

[KREllis-vrix]

Always wondered about this tool. Figured it was a failed prototype.

[stephenmorgan]

Looks to be a Weller line product. Found an ad from 1972 with an electric "30 second glue n caulk gun." Body design looks like one of theirs, just having trouble finding product images. They DID make mini caulk tubes for it! Suspect Bob stuck a small paint tube in a manual hand caulker, just wasn't "fancy" enough to make an ad for it. Hope this helps!

[fashionforwardmom]

I was think it was a calligraphy tool. Imma check out your friend. Thanks for the info!!!

[lancesnider]

The mysterious tool is used in Season 02 Episode 05 and Season 2 Episode 10.

[pinkcatdesign]

I could never make a fine line this probably would benefit me.

[cindylancaster]

thought i posted this Creative Mark Precision Tip Applicator Bottle - Flo Line Squeeze Bottle with Stainless Steel Tips, for Artist Paint found on Amazon. This might do the job.

[qyoo]

Solved? Really?

Maybe explicated somewhat but definitely not solved.

We'll never know, because Bob obviously obtained the paint gun from the future.

[Primal-Gaming]

Bob probably got his grease gun from his time in the Alaska Special Forces…

[stephengray]

I am not so sure tbh.. did you see the control he had using it and the ultra fine tapering lines that came out of it? Try that with any grease or caulking gun a d see for yourself lol.. still very interesting though