My Journey to Recreate Bob Ross’s Hidden Creek. Painting #29

Hidden Creek is my 28th painting. My version of Bob Ross’s Hidden Creek depicts a serene forest scene, with a meandering creek flowing through lush greenery, gently reflecting the surrounding trees and a clear sky above. The vibrant colors and meticulous attention to detail draw viewers into a world of tranquility and invite them to embrace the serenity of nature. In this blog post, I embark on a journey to recreate the essence of this remarkable piece, delving into the techniques, colors, and emotions that make it so captivating.

Let’s Get Started

This post is about my rendition of Bob Ross’s Hidden Creek. First, I’ll talk about the inspiration for this painting. When I talk about inspiration in this blog, it will normally be why I chose a certain subject or Bob Ross or other artist tutorial to follow. Then, I will go over the colors and equipment I used and that you will need if you want to try your hand at it or something similar. Next, I will expound a bit about my process. Finally, I’ll wrap up with some lessons that I learned from painting this picture and things I could have done better or wished I had known. So join me on this trip down memory lane as I recap my 29th painting. 

The Inspiration 

I followed along with a Bob Ross episode and this was another one inspired by my surroundings in and around Thetford Forest. I think I’ve mentioned this before but when I choose to follow a Bob Ross episode, it’s because I want to try a technique. In this case, it was the partial black gesso style.

Materials

Equipped with the right supplies, I was ready to dive into the creation process and channel the spirit of the legendary artist. Here’s what you need to recreate this masterpiece. 

Mediums

• Black Gesso
• Liquid Clear

Colors

• Bright Red
• Cadmium Yellow
• Dark Sienna
• Indian Yellow
• Midnight Black
• Phthalo Blue
• Sap Green
• Titanium Hwite
• Van Dyke Brown
• Yellow Ochre

Equipment

• Black Canvas (optional if you don’t want to use the black gesso)

• 2 Inch Brush
• 1 Inch Brush
• #6 Fan Brush
• Large Palette Knife
• Script Liner Brush

Techniques

Canvas Prep

Before we begin we must prepare the canvas. Part of the preparation is applying the black gesso then the Liquid Clear. You can read how to do this in my How To post on this page.

To recreate the essence of Hidden Creek, I begin by laying down a base layer of blues and greens, reflecting the peaceful hues of a tranquil stream and the verdant foliage surrounding it. I aimed to mimic Bob’s skillful interplay of colors and textures, seeking to bring the canvas to life with each stroke.

The Magic of the Palette Knife:

One of the signature techniques in Bob Ross’s work is the use of a palette knife to create distinct, textural elements. The knife also comes into play when depicting the rocky terrain along the creek’s edge, emphasizing their rugged beauty.

Lessons Learned

I don’t have a whole lot of trouble with most of Bob’s techniques but I haven’t quite mastered using the 2 inch brush to make foliage. Though I’ve gotten the hang of using it to paint grassy things I still need to work on using it for foliage. I think the stream is the best feature in this one. What do you think? 

Another thing about this painting is the lack of color in the sky/background. Now sometimes in scenes like this, the sky does look white. However, I think it would look a bit better with at least a very light blue hue. If someone tries this one out, add the blue background and show me how it turns out.

Update: I went back and added in the blue sky with a sort of glaze technique. In the simplest terms, glazing consists of applying a transparent layer of paint over another thoroughly dried layer of opaque paint, usually with a wide, soft-bristled brush. In this case I thinned down some Pthalo Blue and painted over the tree foliage. This was a couple years after finishing the painting.

Final Thoughts

By embarking on the journey of recreating this iconic masterpiece, I not only honed my artistic skills but also gained a deeper understanding of the techniques and mindset that made Bob Ross an enduring figure in the art world.

In the end, my rendition of Hidden Creek may never reach the level of Bob Ross’s mastery, but the process of recreating it allowed me to immerse myself in his world and connect with the serenity that his paintings evoke.

I hope you enjoy this painting. In art, you can’t be afraid to try new things. It’s pretty relaxing.  Let me know what you think or if you have any questions by leaving a comment below.  This one is sold but if you want to see more of my work or see what’s for sale, check out my art store. You can also follow me on all my social media sites. I also have a gallery on this very website to see all my work that has ever been done. 

Give this one a shot. 

Happy Painting!