PAINT TALK: Bob Ross, Studio Lights, Medium vs Thinner

Welcome to Paint Talk the weekly show where I answer your questions on oil painting. If you want your questions answered leave them in comments section and I just might answer them on next weeks Paint Talk.

Books

Materials I suggest for beginners:
Titanium White, Cadmium Red Hue, Cadmium Lemon, French Ultramarine, Yellow Ochre, Cerulean blue

Hi, I am the son of two artists and began painting in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia before I could walk. I was a rare combination of artist and athlete so I moved to Los Angeles in 2008 to play football for USC. I left the team my sophomore year to focus on painting and filmmaking, applying the same focus and discipline from my football career to my art. I primarily work in oils, and spend most free days painting "en plein air" in my new home of Sarasota Florida.

DISCLAIMER: Links in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you.

[mikeplunkett]

I appreciated the manner in which you addressed the Bob Ross subject/questions. You were very respectful to BR in your answering. I have, (and still), watch BR and believe he was a very talented artist, but I agree with you that his method kind of puts limits on one’s ability. I’ve been watching and enjoying your videos for close to a year and have great respect for your ability. You are enormously talented as an artist. Thank you for sharing your talent.

[melanieflanigan]

Chris, I just found your channel and I’ve learned more in the last 2 weeks watching your videos than I have from any other instructor.
What I’d like to see in the future is:
1. More color theory
2. How to create depth

Thanks... you’re a great instructor!!

[AngelasJoys]

Bob Ross gave me the courage and confidence to paint in the 70s. Then I experimented and went on my own. I loved that man and I really like your tips. You're my favorite YouTube art teacher. Still painting for fun in my senior years. Yes, I sold some and just about every one I love has my paintings hanging in their homes....because they asked for them. Bob Ross was a blessing and you're a blessing too.

[tissy]

God bless Bob Ross! He gave me such inspiration & from this I began to paint with acrylics. But after a while I got bored. I wanted more realism. I switched to oil, but found Bob's process was not working so well for me. Then I discovered Chris & the Paint Coach. His process whas just what I needed. Now I am re-energized and encouraged to meet my goal as a painter! Thank you! P.S., I will always remember Bob's happy little trees. He made me smile when life was tough.

[davedowney]

I would like to see a step by step instructional video/course in the expressionism style.

[InterstellarModeler]

Great comments about BRoss and like you were very respectful. My wife gave me a BRoss kit and it did spark my desire to finally dive into painting which is something I've always wanted to do. Dont get me wrong, I think Bob Ross is fun to watch and he is a fantastic artist. After following some of his videos however, I felt that it would be limiting to continue paint only with his methods. Glad I stumbled across your channel. Will continue to watch your content and am interested in what you have to offer on Patreon. Thanks

[TheCatnipCinema]

Timestamps:
1- Question for us from Chris: 1:28
2- Where do put your reference photo and how do to create good studio lighting when painting?: 2:35
3 - When do I use mediums and paint thinner? Do I really need to care about fat-over-lean?: 5:15
4 - What do you think of Bob Ross' painting techniques? Should I paint like him?: 9:29

[wayneburke]

Bob Ross was my introduction to paint and opened a new world for me.I did not think I had a painting bone in my body. I tried it, and it gave me the confidence to believe I can do it. From there I never looked at a single object the same. I can see how for some people BR might be a dead end street with guard rails on both sides, and that's ok if you love what you are doing. For me it started a life long pursuit, that without BR, I would have never started.

[bdg]

Love these Paint Talks. I always learn something new. Thanks!

[sophialagae]

Thank you so much again for your advice! I'm following you through youtube and instagram for a while now, and it's keeps me motivated to get better in painting. It's actually kinda of funny that you mention Bob Ross. He is kind of a television legend, he makes painting looks so magical that's almost surreal. I'd admit that I initially wanted to paint like Bob Ross, because it's so intimidating to watch. But after I watched some of your video's, my vision on painting completely changed. I'm from Belgium and I don't get a lot of information here about the traditional method of painting, it's mostly about 'modern' painting, so I'm glad I can learn about it through your youtube channel. I paint almost everyday now, and I wouldn't be so motivated to keep learning, if you weren't around on youtube, so a BIG thank you for giving me daily motivation and education!!! I'm looking forward to your next video's and tutorials on patreon! :)

[tkdshine]

I'm enjoying learning from both your painting course and the BR method. I'm looking forward to seeing how I apply learned techniques to future art pieces.

[paulJkiely]

Great video. love Bob Ross’s work ethic. I think he liked to reach out to the public and persuade everyone they could paint, and help them build confidence quickly, this is where more formulaic methods probably helped more than traditional ones… to get his students up to speed .

[garyklett]

Grass ! the type of grass in close up paintings of wildlife.

[BarbrajoanOriginals]

Chris, you are so right in your explanation of Bob Ross' painting technique.. He had a style all his own, and some people imitate it, which I can spot in an instant.. Yours, (and mine ) is more of the way a painting is to be approached. Your videos are helping me get back to oils, Thank you so much for your help... If you ever give a workshop here in Florida I'll be there. Tallahassee, FL

[crisalidathomassie]

Chris, thanks so much for the videos. I am watching them everyday. I just order the aprons and the iPad holder. Thanks so much for the suggestions. I find your channel very interesting and to the point. I’m catching up with your videos! Blessings and take care.

[mernawahba]

I'd love to learn more about how to get the right values and color tones in your course :)
Also maybe tips on how to create better compositions of paintings, I know alot of artists talk about composition but your tips will definitely simplifes it

[marianmartinez]

love Bob Ross inspired me to run out and start painting. But I love your portrait painting, that's what I'm really interested in.

[honeygirlsapiary]

how to paint water, clouds...how to block stuff in and then layer over it, how to adjust colors once on canvas and doesn’t look right, maybe a module on color mixing altogether, composition, golden ratio (just introduced to this today actually), and the mental game of keep on keeping on and hopefully will improve over the years...months...weeks?

[isaiasabades]

I love painting while listening to these, so relaxing, and about the paint course myself id like to see different techniques and things like that, cheers!

[RT-wltq]

Thanks for answering my question....and in Bob Ross's defense he has made disclaimers on several of his shows that he is not there to teach but to inspire, to show that anyone can paint. He never pushed his methods as others proclaim. He's also stated that you paint the way you want. Just as you've said in one of your videos that your way might not be the best way, but thats what works for you ...same thing