If you’re researching “How do I sell a Bob Ross painting?”, “How much is my Bob Ross painting worth?”, or “Where can I sell my Bob Ross painting?”, this guide brings together current market signals and practical steps so you can confidently sell a Bob Ross original—whether you prefer an immediate sale or a strategic consignment.
The Current State of the Bob Ross Art Market
The market for Bob Ross original paintings remains active at the mid to high-five-figure level for standard canvases, with six-figure results for strong examples. In August 2025, Bonhams sold two 18" × 24" landscapes — "Lake Below Snow-Capped Peaks and Cloudy Sky" and "Lake Below Snow-Covered Mountains and Clear Sky" — for $114,800 and $95,750 respectively (prices include premium).
"Lake Below Snow-Capped Peaks and Cloudy Sky" |
"Lake Below Snow-Covered Mountains and Clear Sky" |
Recent sales at Goldin further illustrate the range: an oil on canvas work realized $105,530 with premium, and another 18" × 24" landscape realized $93,940—squarely within today’s prevailing band for classic sizes.
At the top of the market, episode paintings from The Joy of Painting are outliers. The first on-air painting, A Walk in the Woods (Season 1, Episode 1), has been publicly offered at $9.85 million, a figure widely reported by major outlets and listed by the gallery. While such works are exceptionally rare, they anchor high-end expectations.
"A Walk in the Woods" |
These benchmarks help answer “How much is a Bob Ross painting worth?”: typical 18" × 24" works commonly transact in the mid-five to low-six figures, with premiums for compelling composition, condition, early dating, strong provenance, and presence of a Bob Ross Inc COA.
Is Now the Right Time to Sell My Bob Ross Painting?
Timing depends on your goals, the specific work, and your tolerance for waiting. Consider:
• Current momentum: Fresh six-figure results at major houses suggest solid demand for canonical sizes and subjects, a favorable backdrop if you want to move now.
• Supply dynamics: Authentic, well-documented works remain finite.
• Work characteristics: Larger-than-standard canvases, especially with distinctive skies, mountains, or water, often command a premium; condition, provenance, and documentation also matter. Works painted on “The Joy of Painting” are exceedingly rare and can fetch exceptional prices.
• Your priorities: If certainty and speed matter most, an immediate sale can be preferable. If your goal is maximizing price and you can be patient, strategic placement and targeted outreach may yield incremental upside over time.
In short, for owners asking “How much is my Bob Ross painting worth, and when should I sell?”—today’s comps support listing or entertaining offers now, while leaving room for tailored strategy based on the specifics of your Bob Ross painting.
How Modern Artifact Helps You Achieve the Best Price
Modern Artifact offers two proven pathways to selling a Bob Ross:
• Immediate cash offer: We provide a firm purchase price and immediate payment, calculated to be slightly improve on what you could expect to net after auction fees.
• Consignment: If you are able to be patient, we can place and market your Bob Ross art to reach the right buyers. This route can maximize the overall price achieved.
Why this matters: auction houses commonly charge seller’s commissions and fees that can be as high as 30%. These deductions significantly reduce what consignors ultimately take home, even when headline auction prices look impressive. By contrast, Modern Artifact’s private sale and consignment structures are designed to maximize your net return while reducing uncertainty.
With more than a decade of focused experience handling Bob Ross paintings, Modern Artifact can advise on valuation, authentication, presentation, and the best venue—answering “Where can I sell a Bob Ross painting?” and “How do I sell a Bob Ross painting?” in a way aligned with your goals.
In summary, maximizing the sale of your Bob Ross painting combines awareness of market trends, careful timing, and a strategic sales approach. With demand for Bob Ross original paintings strong and prices that can exceed $100,000, owners can choose between immediate sale or targeted consignment to suit their goals. Partnering with Modern Artifact provides expert guidance on valuation, authentication, and presentation, helping ensure the best possible return on your investment.
Find out what your Bob Ross painting is worth today, free or charge, by contacting support@modernartifact.com