I see that in 2015 - which is coming right up! - there will be some in my new home town. I always loved his TV show and the thought of being able to have my own world where I decide where the Happy Trees go - well, it’s exciting.
anyone out there take one? I can’t see a downside, except it’s not free but I’m going to love it so that’s OK.
Many years ago I took a class in the Bill Alexander wet-on-wet technique (which is what Ross uses). It was the first time I ever picked up a paint brush that wasn’t intended for home improvement. I was very pleased with the outcome and others seemed to like it as well. The interesting part of it to me was how a person could use large brushes and brush strokes and create something in an hour or a few that looks like it took much longer. There’s no downside to it: you won’t create a masterpiece using this method, but you’ll learn paint mixing and blending techniques. Just remember not to overwork it or you’ll end up with a blurry mess.
But if you put in the time and effort, really practice and study and work on your craft…no matter who you are or how good you were to begin with, you’ll end up just like him.
A good friend of mine just took one. He’s in his 60s (possibly early 70s? he’s been retired for a while). He had never painted a day in his life before this class. I’ve seen two or three of his works since the class, and well, they’re AMAZING! He has one framed and hanging over his mantle! Either this guy should have been an artist his entire life, or the class really works.
If you take it, I hope you post back here with your thoughts on it; and maybe a link to some of your works!
My wife took one maybe 12-13 years ago and really enjoyed it. She didn’t continue painting after the class, but we have two of the paintings she did hanging in our house, and her brother has one or two that she did at the time.
Another avenue you can take if you want to learn some art quickly is Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. It is nothing short of miraculous. The difference between her and Bob Ross is, Bob Ross will teach you to paint a tree; Betty Edwards will teach you to draw that tree. Now whether Betty’s are as happy as Bob’s, well, that’s another story.