Ep 7. Snow Birch

In season 26 episode 7 of Bob Ross: The Joy of Painting Series, titled Snow Birch, Bob Ross takes us on a painting journey through a wintry forest landscape. The episode begins with Ross encouraging us to "pretend you're a whisper floating across a mountain, and you can go anywhere you want to go." He then sets to work creating his signature black gesso canvas, explaining that it will allow the colors in the painting to really pop.

Ross then starts to paint the sky, using a blend of blues and whites to create a snowy, cool atmosphere. He adds little details like distant trees and mountains to give the scene depth. Next, Ross moves on to painting the distant trees, using a light blue-green color to make them appear hazy and far away. He then switches to a darker green to paint the trees in the foreground, adding little details like branches and shadows.

The real star of this episode, however, is the titular snow birch. Using a mixture of white, black, and blue paint, Ross begins to paint the slender birch tree, explaining that they "grow marvelously straight, like they have some kind of inner strength that keeps them growing straight and tall." Ross expertly adds little details like the bark and the branches, creating a sense of texture and movement in the painting.

Once the birch tree is complete, Ross moves on to adding the final details to the painting. He adds a little red barn in the distance, explaining that it's important not to overdo it with the details, as it can ruin the simplicity of the scene. He then adds little bits of snow to the branches and the ground, using a palette knife to create texture.

As always, Ross's commentary throughout the episode is calming and meditative, encouraging viewers to relax and enjoy the painting process. He reminds us that there are no mistakes in art, only happy accidents, and encourages us to be creative and take risks with our paintings.

Overall, Snow Birch is a beautiful, serene episode that showcases Ross's skills as both a painter and a teacher. It's the perfect episode to watch on a lazy winter day, as you get lost in the magic of Ross's snowy landscape.