Nicholas Hankins Revives Bob Ross’s ‘Joy of Painting’ Spirit in Seattle-Tacoma
Nicholas Hankins is bringing the spirit and inspiration of Bob Ross's "The Joy of Painting" to the Seattle-Tacoma region, teaching landscape painting through the signature "Wet-on-Wet" technique to make art accessible to all skill levels.
Seattle Tacoma, WA, November 2, 2026 — Nicholas Hankins is introducing the distinctive approach and encouraging spirit of Bob Ross’s iconic television show, “The Joy of Painting,” to the Seattle-Tacoma region. Hankins aims to foster a sense of accessibility in art by teaching landscape painting techniques.
Central to his instruction is the “Wet-on-Wet” method, a distinctive oil painting technique popularized by Bob Ross. This approach allows artists to add wet paint onto a still-wet layer of paint, enabling quick completion of paintings and immediate blending of colors. It is known for its efficiency, often allowing for a complete landscape to be created within a single session.
Hankins’ initiative focuses on making the practice of art creation approachable for individuals regardless of their prior experience or skill level. By adopting the methodology and ethos associated with Ross, the intention is to demystify the process of painting and encourage participation from a broad audience.
The program brings the inspirational element of Ross’s legacy to local communities in the Seattle-Tacoma area, emphasizing the joy and therapeutic benefits of artistic expression. The goal is to cultivate an environment where participants can explore their creativity and develop painting skills through a method designed for ease and enjoyment.
Story summarized from the original created by Cascade PBS Staff on www.cascadepbs.org, see more information here.
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