What is the Wet on Wet Technique?

About the Wet on Wet Technique: Applying Oil colour to a wet canvas is not a new idea. For centuries, talented artist have used the Wet-On-Wet Technique to express their individual style. Claude Monet was one of the better-known artists who painted using the Wet-On-Wet method. http://giverny.org/monet/welcome.htm

In 1930's, William Alexander popularized this method what is now called the Alexander Wet-On-Wet Technique. The Alexander Wet-On-Wet Technique simplifies oil painting so you can finish an accomplished painting in just a few hours rather than days, weeks or even months using traditional methods.

The term "Wet-on-wet" refers to the method of applying wet paint on top of wet paint, omitting the traditional wait for each layer to dry. Using special firm oil paints and starting with a wet-based canvas by applying "magic white" or "liquid white", paints are glided across the canvas with a large brush or palette knife - making clouds, mountains and trees appear in seconds.

This style of painting was popularised in the seventies and to this day, by Bob Ross.

About Bob Ross: Bob was born in Daytona Beach Florida, joined the Air Force at an early age and served for 20 years, during which in his free time he studied art. On retirement from the Air Force he studied the wet on wet techniques pioneered by William Alexander in the 1930’s and travelled America undertaking demonstrations and workshops which subsequently led to the highly successful Joy of Painting Television Series.

The first of his low-budget, unrehearsed and unedited "Joy of Painting" programs was aired in 1983. 403 shows later, "The Joy of Painting" series is unquestionably more popular than any other art show on television. It is carried by nearly every public television station throughout the United States, accessing more than 80 million households, and is broadcast via satellite or cable in many other countries.

Bob’s soft voice, folksy chatter, love of nature and wildlife made him the most popular of Television Artists world wide. Favourite saying ‘We don’t make mistakes, we just have happy accidents’.

Holland's Royal Bulb growers Association presented a new species of flower in honour of Television's Favourite Artist - the Bob Ross Amaryllis - officially recognising the enormous joy that he brings to millions of people all over the world.

But there may be more to "The Joy if Painting's" enormous popularity than meets the eye. Many of Bob's most faithful viewers are not painters at all. They are relaxing and unwinding with Bob's gentle manner and encouraging words, captivated by the magic that takes place on the canvas.

Sadly Bob lost his wife in 1993 and in 1995 passed away himself at the age of 52.

Today, Bob Ross Inc. remains as strong an organisation as ever with Walt and Annette Kowalski (business partners and friends to bob) running the company. www.bobross.com

About Bill Alexander: William Alexander (1915, East Prussia - 1997) began his art career painting murals and decorating carriages for the German aristocracy. Except for a few formal lessons at an art school in Canada, Alexander was a self-taught artist.

Alexander's love and enjoyment of painting took him on the road at age 50. He travelled throughout the United States and Canada with his wife, Margarete, teaching art and painting. During this time, he modified traditional oil painting methods by developing his own thick, rich paints. These paints allowed him to layer colours over one another without waiting for the first layer to dry. This method is a version of direct or alla prima painting.

These paints, with his specially designed tools, established the Alexander Wet-on-Wet Technique and enabled artists to complete an oil painting in one sitting. After appearing on numerous U.S. public television shows (including "The Magic of Oil Painting" and "The Art of Bill Alexander"), Alexander became known as the "Happy Painter." He later moved with his wife to the mountains of Canada, amid the beautiful landscape he enjoyed painting so much.

Television painter Bob Ross of The Joy of Painting and Robert Warren, of "The Art of Robert Warren" and "Robert Warren's Art Loft," are former students of William Alexander who have gone on to host their own television programs and further develop Alexander's famous "wet-on-wet" style of oil painting. www.alexanderart.com

About Robert Warren: Robert Warren (b. 1949), professional artist and art instructor. Student of William Alexander. Helped further develop and adapt Alexander's "ala prima," or "wet-on-wet" style of painting and teaching.

A contemporary of fellow artist Bob Ross, Robert Warren has produced more than 200 instructional programs in oil painting, most recently: "The Art of Robert Warren," and "Robert Warren's Art Loft." His instructional television shows have been broadcast for more than 10 years on Cable Television and Public Broadcast Stations world wide. His subject matter encompasses several areas of interest such as landscapes, still lifes, and portraiture.

Robert Warren opened his current studio, Robert Warren's Art Loft, in Canal Winchester, Ohio, in 1986. His studio, The Art Loft is located at 75 North High Street in Canal Winchester, Ohio. This restored 1874 Grange Hall houses and displays many of Robert Warren's original paintings, as well as paintings and sculptures by other well known artists. From landscapes to classic portraits, Robert teaches seminars and classes worldwide from beginning through advanced levels. www.robertwarrenartloft.com

Some of John's Works

About John Lazenby and his interest in the Wet on Wet Technique

Hi, I am John Lazenby. I live in Warlingham, Surrey with my
wife Amanda, four children and my dog Max.

I have been a traditional artist for many years and have always sold photo realistic acrylic portraits locally and nationally and contemporary modern art seascapes and abstract art on EBay.

A few years ago I stumbled across the Wet on Wet technique whilst surfing the net. I took up this technique almost immediately and started painting landscapes faster and more beautifully than I could ever have done using traditional methods. More recently I came across the late and very great Bob Ross and through his television series and by surfing I also came across Bob's predecessor in the method, William (Bill) Alexander.

Having spent some time studying both artists and many others using wet on wet around the world I felt that it would be a very good idea to set up a blog in order to share information with other artists and non artistic people who are interested in learning more about the technique.

I am having a new site built "www.johnlazenbyart.com" which will more reflect the wet on wet technique. It is my intention to teach this technique locally beginning later this year 2007.