The Joy of Painting debuted in 1983 and ran until 1994 on the PBS network. The show aired 31 seasons, with a total of 403 episodes. Bob Ross painted in 381 of these episodes, while the remaining 22 episodes featured guests. The format of the show was consistent throughout the 11 years on air, and featured Bob (or a guest) in front of a blank canvas and easel in a non-descript room. Each episode lasted only 30 minutes, which was more than enough time for Bob to turn a blank canvas into a finished landscape painting. With a few brush strokes, Bob started and talked his way through every step of the way. Discussing the paint colors, how to hold the brush, dab the paint, create depth and atmosphere and of course, how to add a few “happy little trees” was Bob’s specialty. Bob was adamant that with practice, any novice or aspiring painter could become proficient and quickly create similarly beautiful paintings. Part of the appeal of The Joy of Painting was the quick format. Viewers did not have to commit to several hours or days of painting theory and instruction before picking up a brush and trying things out on their own. Bob Ross made painting accessible, with a down to earth approach.