When I received my Bob Ross painting kit, it contained, of course Bob Ross paints.
All of which performed as Bob showed.
They worked very well!
However.
Once I started to run out of certain colors, and needed them quickly, I found that I didn't want to wait several days for them to arrive. My city didn't have a Bob Ross supplier, per se.
So, I had to check out other options.
I used several brands. I found a couple that worked well.
Gamblin and Winsor and Newton.
(Both available at Michael's, and other craft suppliers)
I do suggest that if you are going to buy any, from Michael's, grab some online coupons!
You can save 40%, 50% or 70% off their regular price!
(Which is handy if you buy one of their large 150 ml tubes!)
Now, since Liquid White is only available from Bob Ross, you have to get it online.
But there are several places to a good deal.
(If you Google, you can find out how to make your own Liquid White.)
Another thing about whichever paint you choose to use,
I found that if you plop out the Titanium White 45 minutes to an hour before you are going to put the highlight on a mountain, it'll dry out enough so that your paint will 'break' correctly for mountains and other things such as rocks, trees, etc.
CANVASES
I mostly use 16" x 20" pre-stretched, double primed (with white acrylic paint) canvases.
I also have used smaller 12" x 16" canvases.
When I need a black canvas, I just paint a white one with flat, black acrylic paint.
(Although, they are available at craft supply stores, already painted black. They just cost a bit more, if you don't do them yourself.)
BLACK CANVASES
To make a black canvas yourself, first purchase a white canvas.
(But I guess that goes without saying.)
Then you'll need some flat black acrylic paint.
(I found matte black acrylic at Walmart. The black acrylic at Michael's is glossy.
I've used that in a pinch, but prefer the matte or flat finish. It's best to get the matte finish so that you'll have a flat, dull finish, once it dries.)
You'll also need a sponge applicator ($1.00 or less at Michael's and other craft stores) and a small bowl or plate to pour the acrylic.
It takes two coats of acrylic, so you won't have any streaks.
It dries very quickly, but it's a good to let it dry for several hours or overnight,
before painting on it.
And it washes off easily with soap and water!
First coat is dry.
Second coat dry on both. Make sure you paint all around the edges.
Get everything but the back.
(It's a good idea to paint more than one canvas at time. Even though it cleans up easy, it's still a little messy.)
