The WORST seasons of The Joy of Painting

Every season of The Joy of Painting ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst seasons of The Joy of Painting!

Artist Bob Ross takes you to his magical world of happy trees and teaches the laymen step by step how to create wonderful works of art using his trademark wet-on-wet technique.

Last Updated: 4/17/2024Network: PBSStatus: Ended

6.00

1 votes

#1 - Season 16

First Aired 7/17/1988

Season 16 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Two Seasons, Nestled Cabin, Wintertime Discovery, Mountain Mirage Wood Shape, Double Oval Fantasy, Contemplative Lady, Deep Woods, High Tide, Barn in Snow Oval, That Time of Year, Waterfall Wonder, Might Mountain Lake, and Wooded Stream Oval.

6.00

1 votes

#2 - Season 15

First Aired 4/27/1988

Season 15 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Splendor of Winter, Colors of Nature, Grandpa’s Barn, Peaceful Reflections, Hidden Winter Moon Oval, Waves of Wonder, Cabin by the Pond, Fall Stream, Christmas Eve Snow, Forest Down Oval, Pathway to Autumn, Deep Forest Lake, and Peaks of Majesty

6.00

1 votes

#3 - Season 14

First Aired 12/30/1987

Season 14 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Distant Mountains,Meadow Brook Surprise, Mountain Moonlight Oval, Snowy Solitude, Mountain River, Graceful Mountains, Windy Waves, On a Clear Day, Riverside Escape Oval, Surprising Falls, Shadow Pond, Misty Forest Oval, and Natural Wonder.

6.75

4 votes

#4 - Season 1

First Aired 1/11/1983

Season 1 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: A Walk in the Woods, Mt. McKinley, Ebony Sunset, Winter Mist, Quiet Stream, Winter Moon, Autumn Mountains, Peaceful Valley, Seascape, Mountain Lake, Winter Glow, and Snowfall.

7.00

1 votes

#5 - Season 31

First Aired 2/22/1994

Season 31 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Reflections of Calm, Before the Snowfall, Winding Stream, Tranquility Cove, Cabin in the Hollow, View from Clear Creek, Bridge to Autumn, Trail’s End, Evergreen Valley, Balmy Beach, Lake at the Ridge, In the Midst of Winter, and Wilderness Day.

7.00

1 votes

#6 - Season 29

First Aired 8/24/1993

Season 29 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: island in the Wilderness, Autumn Oval, Seasonal Progression, Light at the Summit, Countryside Barn, Mountain Lake Falls, Cypress Creek, Trapper’s Cabin, Storm on the Horizon, Pot O’ Posies, A Perfect Winter Day, Aurora’s Dance, and Woodman’s Retreat.

7.00

1 votes

#7 - Season 28

First Aired 5/25/1993

Season 28 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Fisherman’s Trail, A Warm Winter, Under Pastel Skies, Golden Rays of Sunshine, The Magic of Fall, Glacier Lake, The Old Weathered Barn, Deep Forest Falls, Winter’s Grace, Splendor of Autumn, Tranquil Seas, Mountain Serenity, and Home before Nightfall.

7.00

1 votes

#8 - Season 27

First Aired 3/2/1993

Season 27 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Twilight Beauty, Angler’s Haven, Rustic Winter Woods, Wilderness Falls, Winter at the Farm, Daisies at Dawn, A Spectacular View, Daybreak, Island Paradise, Sunlight in the Shadows, Splendor of a Snowy Winter, Forest River, and Golden Glow of Morning.

7.00

1 votes

#9 - Season 24

First Aired 1/7/1992

Season 24 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Gray Mountain, Wayside Pond, Teton Winter, Little Home in the Meadow, A Pretty Autumn Day, Mirrored Images, Back-Country Path, Graceful Waterfall, Icy Lake, Rowboat on the Beach, Portrait of Winter, The Footbridge, and Snowbound Cabin.

7.00

1 votes

#10 - Season 23

First Aired 9/3/1991

Season 23 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Frosty Winter Morn, Forest Edge, Mountain Ridge Lake, Reflections of Gold, Quiet Cove, Rivers Peaces, At Dawn’s Light, Valley Waterfall, Toward Days End, Falls in the Glen, Frozen Beauty in Vignette, Crimson Tide, and Winter Bliss.

7.00

1 votes

#11 - Season 22

First Aired 1/1/1991

Season 22 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Autumn Images, Hint of Springtime, Around the Bend, Countryside Oval, Russet Winter, Purple Haze, Dimensions, Deep Wilderness Home, Haven in the Valley, Wintertime Blues, Pastel Seascape, Country Creek, and Silent Forest.

7.00

1 votes

#12 - Season 21

First Aired 9/5/1990

Season 21 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Valley View, Tranquil Dawn, Royal Majesty, Serenity, Cabin at Trails End, Mountain Rhapsody, Wilderness Cabin, By the Sea, Indian Summer, Blue Winter, Desert Glow, Lone Mountain, and Florida’s Glory.

7.00

1 votes

#13 - Season 20

First Aired 4/4/1990

Season 20 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Mystic Mountain, New Day’s Dawn, Winter in Pastel, Hazy Day, Divine Elegance, Cliffside, Autumn Fantasy, The Old Oak Tree, Winter Paradise, Days Gone By, Change of Seasons, Hidden Delight, and Double Take.

7.00

1 votes

#14 - Season 19

First Aired 1/3/1990

Season 19 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Snowfall Magic, Quiet Mountain Lake, Final Embers of Sunlight, Snowy Morn, Camper’s Haven, Waterfall in the Woods, Covered Bridge Oval, Scenic Seclusion, Ebb Tide, After the Rain, Winter Elegance, Evening’s Peace, and Valley of Tranquility.

7.00

1 votes

#15 - Season 13

First Aired 9/2/1987

Season 13 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Rolling Hills, Frozen Solitude, Meadow Brook, Evening at Sunset, Mountain View, Hidden Creek, Peaceful Heaven, Mountain Exhibition, Emerald Waters, Mountain Summit, Cabin Hideaway, Oval Essence, and Lost Lake.

7.00

1 votes

#16 - Season 12

First Aired 4/29/1987

Season 12 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Golden Knoll, Mountain Reflections, Secluded Mountain, Bright Autumn Trees, Black Seascape, Steep Mountains, Quiet Mountains River, Evening Waterfall, Tropical Seascape, Mountain at Sunset, Soft Mountain Glow, Mountain in an Oval, and Winter Mountain.

7.00

2 votes

#17 - Season 11

First Aired 12/30/1986

Season 11 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Mountain Stream, Country Cabin, Daisy Delight, Hidden Stream, Towering Glacier, Oval Barn, Lakeside Path, Sunset Oval, Winter Barm, Sunset over the Waves, Golden Glow, Roadside Barn, and Happy Accident.

7.00

2 votes

#18 - Season 9

First Aired 4/30/1986

Season 9 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Winter Evergreens, Surf’s Up, Red Sunset, Meadow Road, Winter Oval, Secluded Beach, Forest Hills, Little House by the Road, Mountain Path, Country Charm, Nature’s Paradise, Mountain by the Sea, and Mountain Hideaway.

7.00

2 votes

#19 - Season 8

First Aired 1/2/1986

Season 8 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Misty Rolling Hills, Lakeside Cabin, Warm Winter Day, Waterside Way, Hunter's Haven, Bubbling Mountain Brook, Winter Hideaway, Foot of the Mountain, Majestic Pine, Cactus at Sunset, Mountain Range, Lonely Retreat, and Northern Lights.

7.00

1 votes

#20 - Season 7

First Aired 10/2/1985

Season 7 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Winter Cabin, Secluded Lake, Evergreens at Sunset, Mountain Cabin, Portrait of Sally, Misty Waterfall, Barn at Sunset, Mountain Splendor, Lake by Mountain, Mountain Glory, Grey Winter, Dock Scene, and Dark Waterfall

7.50

2 votes

#21 - Season 25

First Aired 8/25/1992

Season 25 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Hide A Way Cove, Enchanted Falls Oval, Not Quite Spring, Splashes of Autumn, Summer in the Mountain, Oriental Falls, Autumn Palette, Cypress Swamp, Downstream View, Just Before the Storm, Fisherman’s Paradise, Desert Hues, and The Property Line.

7.50

2 votes

#22 - Season 3

First Aired 1/4/1984

Season 3 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Mountain Retreat, Blue Moon, Bubbling Stream, Winter Night, Distant Hills, Covered Bridge, Quiet Inlet, Night Light, The Old Mill, Campfire, Rustic Barn, Hidden Lake, and Peaceful Waters.

8.00

1 votes

#23 - Season 30

First Aired 11/23/1993

Season 30 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Babbling Brook, Woodgrain View, Winter’s Peace, Wilderness Trail, A Copper Winter, Misty Foothills, Through the Window, Home in the Valley, Mountains of Grace, Seaside Harmony, A Cold Spring Day, Evening’s Glow, and Blue Ridge Falls.

8.00

3 votes

#24 - Season 10

First Aired 9/3/1986

Season 10 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Towering Peaks, Cabin at Sunset, Twin Falls, Secluded Bridge, Ocean Breeze, Autumn Woods, Winter Solitude, Golden Sunset, Mountain Oval, Ocean Sunset, Triple View, Winter Frost, and Lakeside Cabin.

8.00

1 votes

#25 - Season 5

First Aired 1/2/1985

Season 5 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Mountain Waterfall, Twilight Meadow, Mountain Blossoms, Winter Stillness, Quiet Pond, Ocean Sunrise, Bubbling Brook, Arizona Splendor, Anatomy of a Wave, The Windmill, Autumn Glory, Indian Girl, and Meadow Stream.

8.00

1 votes

#26 - Season 4

First Aired 9/5/1984

Season 4 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Purple Splendor, Tranquil Valley, Majestic Mountains, Winter Sawscape, Evening Seascape, Warm Summer Day, Cabin in the Woods, Wetlands, Cool Waters, Quiet Woods, Northwest Majesty, Autumn Days, and Mountain Challenge.

8.00

1 votes

#27 - Season 2

First Aired 8/31/1983

Season 2 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Meadow Lake, Winter Sun, Ebony Sea, Shades of Grey, Autumn Splendor, Black River, Brown Mountain, Reflections, Black and White Seascape, Lazy River, Black Waterfall, Mountain Waterfall, Final Grace.

8.33

3 votes

#28 - Season 6

First Aired 5/1/1985

Season 6 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Blue River, Nature's Edge, Morning Mist, Whispering Stream, Secluded Forest, Snow Trail, Arctic Beauty, Horizons West, High Chateau, Country Life, Western Expanse, Marshlands, and Blaze of Color.