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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 9.4/10

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
    9.4/10(115 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 31 Episode 13 - Wilderness Day
    8.9/10(104 votes)

    #2 - Wilderness Day

    S31:E13

    Step into the natural beauty of an overgrown colorful mead and enjoy the peace and soft tranquility you get from Bob Ross’ painting technique.

    Director:Sally Schenck
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The Joy of Painting Season 8 Episode 11 - Mountain Range
    8.8/10(86 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 8 Episode 5 - Hunter's Haven
    8.7/10(79 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. The Joy of Painting Season 1 Episode 1 - A Walk in the Woods
    8.6/10(136 votes)

    #5 - A Walk in the Woods

    S1:E1

    Bob Ross introduces us to his "Almighty" assortment of tools and colors, tells us that anyone can paint, and creates a landscape of a forest path just after a rain shower.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The Joy of Painting Season 1 Episode 2 - Mt. McKinley
    8.6/10(103 votes)

    #6 - Mt. McKinley

    S1:E2

    This episode remains unaired and was provided only to various TV stations to determine their interest in the show.

    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 13 Episode 12 - Oval Essence
    8.6/10(50 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. The Joy of Painting Season 1 Episode 6 - Winter Moon
    8.5/10(84 votes)

    #8 - Winter Moon

    S1:E6

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The Joy of Painting Season 1 Episode 12 - Snow Fall
    8.5/10(77 votes)

    #9 - Snow Fall

    S1:E12

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The Joy of Painting Season 1 Episode 13 - Final Reflections
    8.5/10(86 votes)

    #10 - Final Reflections

    S1:E13

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. The Joy of Painting Season 5 Episode 1 - Mountain Waterfall
    8.5/10(72 votes)

    #11 - 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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  12. The Joy of Painting Season 5 Episode 11 - Autumn Glory
    8.5/10(69 votes)

    #12 - 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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  13. The Joy of Painting Season 6 Episode 1 - Blue River
    8.5/10(64 votes)

    #13 - Blue River

    S6:E1

    Luscious green grass and fresh evergreens, purple and pink sky -- giving the water a perfect glow in this Bob Ross black canvas masterpiece.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. The Joy of Painting Season 6 Episode 3 - Morning Mist
    8.5/10(68 votes)

    #14 - 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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  15. The Joy of Painting Season 7 Episode 8 - Mountain Splendor
    8.5/10(53 votes)

    #15 - 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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  16. The Joy of Painting Season 8 Episode 3 - Warm Winter Day
    8.5/10(52 votes)

    #16 - 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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  17. The Joy of Painting Season 8 Episode 6 - Bubbling Mountain Brook
    8.5/10(58 votes)

    #17 - Bubbling Mountain Brook

    S8:E6

    A playful brook appears the perfect complement to a range of rugged mountains in this Bob Ross setting on canvas.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Joy of Painting Season 8 Episode 8 - Foot of the Mountain
    8.5/10(59 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. The Joy of Painting Season 13 Episode 13 - Lost Lake
    8.5/10(50 votes)

    #19 - Lost Lake

    S13:E13

    Bob Ross finds a barely visible lake being hugged by snowy mountains and some of nature’s finest greenery.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. The Joy of Painting Season 1 Episode 3 - Ebony Sunset
    8.4/10(91 votes)

    #20 - Ebony Sunset

    S1:E3

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The Joy of Painting Season 1 Episode 4 - Winter Mist
    8.4/10(83 votes)

    #21 - Winter Mist

    S1:E4

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Joy of Painting Season 1 Episode 7 - Autumn Mountain
    8.4/10(76 votes)

    #22 - Autumn Mountain

    S1:E7

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The Joy of Painting Season 1 Episode 8 - Peaceful Valley
    8.4/10(77 votes)

    #23 - Peaceful Valley

    S1:E8

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. The Joy of Painting Season 1 Episode 10 - Mountain Lake
    8.4/10(78 votes)

    #24 - Mountain Lake

    S1:E10

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. The Joy of Painting Season 1 Episode 11 - Winter Glow
    8.4/10(77 votes)

    #25 - Winter Glow

    S1:E11

    No description available

    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 9.4/10 based on 115 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/23/1986. This episode scored 0.5 points higher than the second highest rated, "Wilderness Day".