Hockey on a Winter Night. Painting #34. Add a Little Something to your Bob Ross Painting.

Hockey on a Winter Night is Painting No. 34. I didn’t originally set out to turn it into a personal memory on canvas, but that’s exactly what happened.

Let’s Get Started

This post is about Hockey on a Winter Night” an original painting stemmed from a Bob Ross episode. First, I’ll talk about the inspiration for this winter painting. When I talk about inspiration in this blog, it will normally be why I chose a certain subject or Bob Ross episode 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. Sometimes, I will expound a bit about my process. Finally, I’ll wrap up with some thoughts from the easel. So join me on this trip down memory lane as I recap my 34th oil painting. 

The Inspiration

It started with a request. My dad hinted at wanting a night-time winter landscape—something calm, snow-covered, and still. So I went hunting for a Bob Ross episode that captured that mood and landed on Season 1, Episode 6: Winter Moon. I started this piece by following that episode—but about halfway through, I decided to finish it on my own. That’s been part of the fun lately: using Bob’s guidance as a launchpad, then letting instinct take the brush from there.

Colors and Equipment

Here are the colors and equipment used.

Colors

• Black Gesso
• Liquid Clear
• Bright Red
• Cadmium Yellow
• Dark Sienna
• Midnight Black
• Phthalo Blue
• Prussian Blue
• Van Dyke Brown
• Titanium Hwite

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

Notes From the Easel

I followed along with Bob’s episode until about the midway point—laying in the sky, background mountains, and basic foreground elements. When the scene was nearly finished, a memory stirred—winter retreats with my youth group in New Hampshire. At the base of the mountain, there was a frozen pond. And at night, under the lights, we’d play pond hockey—just sticks, pucks, and winter bobble hats. That’s when it hit me.  

Ever since I discovered this newfound painting talent and started sharing it with friends and family, people began suggesting I add little extras—like wildlife. I’ve given that a go (definitely need more practice), but more often than not, I simply forget to include those extra touches.

One of the most frequent requests? Hockey players. Especially when I paint winter scenes with water. You might wonder why that comes up so much. Well, I’m not just a painter—I’m also a hockey player. And by “hockey player,” I mean a career beer league guy. During my 15 years living overseas in Europe, I played a ton of hockey and made a lot of hockey friends. So when they see my work, I often get: “Cool painting… but where are the hockey players?”

I knew the painting wasn’t complete yet. Now was the perfect time to add the little hockey players playing stick and puck. Subtle, but essential. I used a detail brush to paint the indication of two small hockey figures. They’re subtle, but they shift the whole narrative.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve watched enough Bob Ross shows, you may have seen him get excited at some point exclaiming that a vision came to him. Although he does a good job of acting on the show (as the paintings are planned), that actually does happen and that’s what happened in this one. It reminded me that sometimes the best additions aren’t planned—they arrive halfway through, unannounced but undeniable.

If you’re on your own creative path—especially following along with Bob Ross—don’t be afraid to break off when your instincts say so. Add something uniquely yours. The result might surprise you.

This painting wasn’t for sale. It was a gift. But more than that—it was a memory made visible. It now hangs above my dad’s fireplace—a Christmas gift painted during a quiet December stretch.

Thanks for reading. Got a memory you’ve captured in paint—or one waiting to be brushed into life? I’d love to hear how your stories show up on canvas. Drop a comment or shoot me a message and let’s swap inspiration.

Want to see more stories like this? Browse the blog or catch the latest studio updates on any of your preferred social platform.

As always, Happy Painting!