Bob Ross - Inspired so many people. To this day the Bob Ross "Paint Gun" remains a mystery - or does it! see below photo!

Bob Ross  -  The Man of Mystery
Robert Norman Ross  1942 - 1995

How to create thin lines without using a lining brush. There are two methods.

Method 1 - search eBay for 10ml clear syringe with blunt needles.

As you can see they are very inexpensive. Remove the plunger from the syringe and add 30ml of oil paint (colour your choice) next add 10m-20ml of the oil medium. Mix inside the tube with a coffee stirrer - best sticks are from McDonald's!  When fully mixed, attach the needle and slowly push the plunger back in with the needle pointing upwards. This lets the air out. With practice, drawing lines wet on wet oils is easy and is ideal for branches, twigs and rigging.

The needle should lightly touch the canvas and makes a nice scraping sound. Replace needle sheath/cap after use and the paint will only dry out 6-8 weeks later (this is dependent on colour and medium mix)   Practice before attempting!!!

Method 2 - The Bob Ross  "Gun" way

Although it looks like a glue gun and confuses people. What he is using is an old grease gun with the push knob removed from the plunger. I saw one of these grease guns being used in the late 1960s by a cycle maker/repairer. He kept road racing bikes for professional riders and in his workshop was a grease gun very similar to what Bob was using. The plunger end unscrewed for the grease to go in (or oil paint) and the trigger was pumped a few times to make the thick grease flow. He used it to put very small amounts of crease onto ball bearings and gear changers. if you ever see one at auction BUY  it!

Method 3 - This is being tested and there is going to be a way that is going to make Artists very happy - WATCH this space for the breakthrough!!!!!