Bob Ross The Joy of Painting (PBS)

Ross applies oil paint over a still-wet base coat, allowing colors to blend directly on the canvas. The method, also called alla prima, lets him complete an entire landscape during a roughly half-hour television episode.

Liquid White is the thin, wet base coat Ross commonly spreads over the canvas before adding color. It keeps the surface workable so skies, clouds, mountains, and water can blend with soft edges.

Not directly, because acrylic dries much faster than the oil paint used in Ross's wet-on-wet technique. Retarder or open acrylics can extend working time, but the blending behavior will still differ from Ross's oil-based system.

The series produced 31 seasons between 1983 and 1994. Most installments feature Ross completing one landscape from start to finish using tools such as a two-inch brush, fan brush, and palette knife.