How to Apply Bob Ross Mediums.

In this post I will go over some ways that I have learned how to apply the various Bob Ross mediums. The most common ones are Liquid White and Liquid Clear. Another Bob Ross medium that isn’t used as much is Liquid Black. There is a 3 pack of all mediums available if you just want to dabble.

How to Apply Liquid White

Liquid White is the most popular and common of the Bob Ross mediums. The purpose of Liquid White is to blend color and easily move paint. In a lot of traditional art, artists mix white into their color and mix that color with a medium to help the paint flow. Bill Alexander was a pioneer of the wet on wet technique using the white medium ON the canvas to mix and blend right onto the surface.

The first thing to do with any Bob Ross painting is to apply the liquid hwite. The trick is to not apply too much.  I learned later that the best way to apply the liquid white is to dip your brush into the white then dab it all over the canvas. Before you do that, make sure to give the can a good shake before opening. After you’ve dabbed it, then you start to spread it around. But, you don’t paint it on like you’re painting a fence. With this medium, you have to spread it around and scrub it in. Really get tough with it.  Don’t worry, you’re not going to hurt your brush. 

Make sure the medium is spread evenly. To do this, I use the light of the room or outdoors.  For example, I look at the canvas at different angles to pick out dry spots.  To check if you have the right amount, lightly press your fingers on different spots on the canvas. You should be able to see your fingerprint.  If you can’t, then you’ve put too much on.  Don’t worry.  Simply take a paper towel and lightly wipe the canvas.  The liquid white you need will remain on the surface. 

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How to Apply Liquid Clear

Liquid Clear is another of the Bob Ross mediums though not as common. The purpose of Liquid Clear is to aid the movement of paint on the canvas. Using Liquid Clear instead of Liquid White will give you the true value of the color you’re using. Applying it to black canvases will aid in the spreading and blending of base colors.

Applying Liquid Clear is much like applying Liquid White. The trick is to not apply too much.  You really don’t need a lot. Bob once said on his show that one jar of Liquid Clear will last you a lifetime. He’s not wrong! I still have the first jar I bought nearly 5 years ago. Having the right amount of medium on the canvas will aid in blending everything together. 

The best way to apply the Liquid Clear is to dip your brush into the medium then dab it all over the canvas. After you’ve dabbed it, then you start to spread it around. But, you don’t paint it on like you’re painting a fence. With this medium, you have to spread it around and scrub it in. Really get tough with it.  Don’t worry, you’re not going to hurt your brush. 

Ensure that you spread the medium evenly. To do this, I use the light of the room or outdoors.  For example, I look at the canvas at different angles to pick out dry spots. Remember, you don’t need a lot of medium. Once it’s completely covered, take a dry brush or a shop towel and lightly wipe the surface. The medium you need should remain on the surface.   

How to Apply Liquid Black

Liquid Black is the lesser known of the Bob Ross mediums. The purpose of Liquid Black is similar as Liquid White. It makes your color darker without having to mix on the palette.

Applying Liquid Black is not too different from applying the Liquid White or Clear. It’s more similar to applying Liquid White. There aren’t all that many Bob Ross episodes that require Liquid Black so there’s not much instruction on how to apply it.

I have only personally used Liquid Black only twice. I used it to paint Beach Sunrise and Mexico Beach Sunset. In my case, I had to shake the can vigorously then stir it. My can was very clumpy. Not sure if this is the case with all cans but if you come across a can like this, shake it very well and stir it to break up the clumps. You should have a similar consistency to the Liquid White.

First, dip your brush into the black then dab it all over the canvas. After you’ve dabbed it, then you start to spread it around. But, you don’t paint it on like you’re painting a fence. With this medium, you have to spread it around and scrub it in. Really get tough with it.  Don’t worry, you’re not going to hurt your brush. 

Make sure the medium is spread evenly. It should be fairly easy to tell if you have enough black medium on a white canvas. To check if you have the right amount, lightly press your fingers on different spots on the canvas. You should be able to see your fingerprint.  If you can’t, then you’ve put too much on.  Don’t worry.  Simply take a paper towel and lightly wipe the canvas or go over it lightly with a dry brush.  The liquid black you need will remain on the surface. 

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That’s How You Do It

These tips I’ve shared here are how I learned to apply the various mediums. They have worked for me. I hope they can work for you as well. If you have learned of any other ways to apply these Bob Ross mediums, feel free to share in the comments.

Have a browse around my blog and see how I have applied the various techniques I learned and how they can work for you. If you’re interested in purchasing my artwork, I have an Etsy shop. Thanks for stopping in to my website. Happy Painting!