6. His Former Instructor Became a Rival
Bob Ross learned the wet-on-wet painting style from an instructor named William Alexander who developed an art supply and art education business around the technique. Alexander became a mentor to Ross, who quickly took to the method, and helped him to become a fellow instructor of the art style. When Ross’ show on PBS took off, allowing him to make a significant and successful art supply business of his own, Alexander felt very slighted and taken advantage of by Ross.