From Brush To Broadcast: Bob Ross And Beyond

Painting on TV has played a significant role in bringing the world of art into the living rooms of people worldwide. Pop culture still has a fascination with the Iconic Bob Ross and his show, The Joy of Painting (1983-1994) Ross was former military personnel, vowed to never raise his voice again, and captivated America with his soothing demeanor and talent for oil painting. He is very much still relevant in the zeitgeist. Ross’s likeness is on coffee mugs, t-shirts, and has even inspired a chia pet. His television episodes have been in network syndication and streaming series. There is a documentary on Netflix about his life, work, business, and family. The upcoming major motion picture Paint starring Owen Wilson has an undeniable resemblance to the great icon telling a fictional portrayal of a career painter. While Ross is maybe the most well-known figure in the history of painting on television, there have been several other artists who have made their mark in this medium.

Bob Ross in the Joy of Painting

Bob Ross is in the great company of many public broadcasting sponsored artists who demonstrate their craft on television. Established in 1970 as a non-profit public television network in the United States, PBS made its core missions to provide educational and informative programming to the public, including arts and cultural content. PBS has been instrumental in showcasing a wide range of painting styles and techniques. From oil painting to watercolor, acrylics, and beyond, the network has featured artists who excel in different mediums and genres. This diversity has allowed viewers to explore various artistic expressions and find inspiration in the works of talented painters.Here are a few notable artists who made their creative mark on culture demonstrating painting techniques, one week at a time, episode by episode.

1. Bill Alexander: Bill Alexander was a German-born artist who gained recognition through his show, The Magic of Oil Painting (1974-1982).” Similar to Bob Ross, Alexander presented step-by-step painting instructions in a calm and engaging manner. He emphasized the “wet-on-wet” technique, which involved layering wet paint onto wet paint to achieve a unique blending effect. Ross actually studied under Alexander and dedicated the first episode of the second season of The Joy of Painting to the gift of education he had received.

Bill Alexander Landscape Painting

2. Jerry Yarnell: Jerry Yarnell, known for his show Paint this with Jerry Yarnell (1999-present),” was an accomplished landscape painter. He focused on teaching techniques for painting landscapes, wildlife, and portraits. Yarnell’s instructional approach made painting accessible to viewers of all skill levels, and his show became immensely popular. Yarnell still appears on local public broadcasting stations, offers online classes, and sells material kits to create art in his style.


Jerry Yarnell Landscape Painting

3. Gary Jenkins: Gary Jenkins was known for his distinct floral and landscape paintings. His show, Jenkins Art Studio (1983-1999),” captivated audiences with his energetic and expressive style. The show aired on 130 television stations annually and was the longest running art demonstration show in its 16 year tenure. Jenkins’ use of bold colors and impressionistic brushwork brought his floral compositions to life, making him a beloved figure in the realm of painting on TV.


Gary Jenkins Wildlife Painting

4. Wilson Bickford: Wilson Bickford specialized in creating realistic landscapes, seascapes, and wildlife paintings. His show, Painting with Wilson Bickford (2013-2022),” focused on teaching viewers his techniques for capturing the beauty of nature. Bickford’s attention to detail and his ability to break down complex scenes into simple steps made his show both educational and inspiring. As a self taught artist, a fundamental theme of his television work was centered on how anyone at any age can paint.


Wilson Bickford Landscape

5. Donna Dewberry: Donna Dewberry is an acrylic decorative painter who aired off and on in the late 1990s to early 2000s. Her shows One Stroke Painting and The Donna Dewberry Show featured a specific type of painting that she patented that involved loading a brush with 2 colors and painting images in one stroke. Dewberry has sold over 500,000 books since 1998 and has gone on to sell supplies and instructional kits.

Donna Dewberry One Stroke Painting

 
The history of painting on TV is a testament to the power of art to captivate and inspire. From the early experiments to the contemporary landscape, painting shows have brought the beauty of art directly into people’s homes. As technology continues to evolve, we can anticipate even more immersive and interactive experiences, further bridging the gap between artists and audiences. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or an art enthusiast, the world of painting on TV offers a gateway to creativity and a deeper appreciation of the artistic process.

Sources:
PBS.org
bobross.com
alexanderart.com
https://www.jenkinsartstudio.com
https://www.wilsonbickford.com
https://onestroke.com